Galungan and Kuningan in Bali: Visiting During the Hindu Holidays

In Bali, Galungan is a major Hindu festival that's celebrated every 210 days. The celebration lasts 10 days and ends with Kuningan. It’s the period when ancestral spirits are believed to visit Earth, and Balinese people welcome them with elaborate offerings, amazing ceremonies, and huge feasts.

But what actually happens on the island over Galungan and Kuningan? And is this period of celebrations a good time to visit Bali as a tourist?

We've been in Bali during Galungan and Kuningan on numerous occasions. Below we'll run you through everything you need to know about the festivities, as well as our first-hand experience of being in Bali over these holidays.

What are Galungan & Kuningan?

Galungan and Kuningan are part of a series of rituals and festivities in Bali that take place every 210 days and celebrate the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). It's the second most important holiday in the Balinese calendar after Nyepi, "the day of silence."

Galungan stems from a Balinese legend in which Lord Indra (the god of thunder and war) defeated King Mayadenawa, an evil king who thought he was more powerful than the gods and denied his subjects the worship of Hinduism.

It's believed that during Galungan, the gods and ancestral spirits of deceased relatives return and visit the Earth. Balinese families prepare elaborate offerings and feasts to welcome these spirits.

Kuningan is celebrated ten days after Galungan and marks the end of the festival period. On this day, the spirits return to their heavenly abodes.

Together, Galungan and Kuningan symbolise a period of renewal, gratitude, and spiritual reflection for Balinese Hindus.

When are Galungan & Kuningan?

Galungan always begins on a Wednesday in the 11th week of the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar. This means that the festivities often happen twice within one Georgian calendar year (but not always).

Upcoming dates for Galungan & Kuningan:

• 13th–23rd January 2027

What happens during Galungan & Kuningan?

The lead up to Galungan

The most noticeable sign that Galungan is approaching is the many colourful bamboo poles decorating streets across the island. These highly decorated curved poles are known as “penjor” and are a symbol of prosperity.

Penjors are usually homemade and decorated with items such as coconut leaves, fruit, and flowers to represent the bountiful gifts given to humans by nature and the gods. There’s a small shrine at the bottom of each, where locals leave offerings.

The best penjor we've ever seen in Bali have been those at the Kerobokan Festival, which takes place every year during Galungan (see more here), and in central Denpasar.

The few days before Galungan also have special names and meanings:

• Penyekeban (3 days before Galungan) - Green bananas are placed in clay pots to speed up their ripening

• Penyajaan (2 days before Galungan) - Making of jaja (traditional Balinese rice cakes)

• Penampahan (1 day before Galungan) - Slaughtering of pigs or chicken in preparation for communal feasts

Galungan

Galungan Day marks the beginning of the festival period and is the most important day for locals. Most Balinese people get dressed up and spend the day praying at the temple and giving offerings.

On this day, you may spot long lines of women in traditional clothing balancing boxes full of offerings as they walk toward the temples.

The day after is known as Manis Galungan, which is usually spent visiting family, friends, and neighbours, and enjoying time together doing fun activities.

The following 10 days after Galungan are marked with smaller ceremonies, feasts, and offerings. The period is a public holiday in Bali and most children are out of school during this time.

One of the main things you may see happening all across Bali on the days between Galungan and Kuningan is Ngelawang Barong.

Ngelawang is performed by a group of children and teens who parade a barong bangkung (mythical pig figure) through the streets while playing traditional musical instruments. They move between local houses and villages, helping to drive away any evil spirits. In return, locals give them money.

Even as a tourist, if you see a Ngelawang passing by, you can give them small change as a thank you.

Kuningan

Kuningan takes place 10 days after Galungan and marks the end of the festive period. On this day, the spirits leave Earth and return to their realm.

Balinese people visit their local temples to pray and make special offerings using yellow turmeric rice, which represents prosperity and gratitude.

Some villages around the island also have their own traditions around this period. One of the most unique is the Mekotek Ritual of Munggu Village, which takes place every Galungan Day.

During this festival, hundreds of local men walk through the village carrying long wooden sticks. They clash their poles together to form pyramid-like structures, with some men attempting to climb them, leading the charge to clash with other groups.

The spiritual tradition is believed to help ward off bad luck in the village and ask for safety and prosperity for the coming year.

The days after Kuningan

The day after Kuningan is called Manis Kuningan, which most locals once again spend with family and friends. There are no ceremonies on this day, so most people simply hang out and eat together.

It usually takes a while for the penjor and decorations to be taken down, so you'll still see them around the island for a couple of weeks after Kuningan - although they do eventually start to wilt and not look their best!

Visiting Bali during Galungan & Kuningan

If you can coincide your visit with Galungan and Kuningan, you’ll see Bali at its most beautiful. The towering penjors help bring a vibrant atmosphere to the streets, while the many offerings, rituals, and ceremonies offer a unique glimpse into the island's rich culture and spirituality.

While you won't be able to take part in most of the ceremonies yourself (unless you're invited by a local), it's still an amazing thing to witness.

We've been in Bali over Galungan and Kuningan for the last several years and love the joyous and festive atmosphere it brings to the island. We loved driving around to find the most beautiful penjor and local ceremonies. One year, our local homestay host family even gifted us a basket of fruit and traditional rice cakes.

However, it's worth noting that visiting during this period may result in some small disruptions during your trip.

Many local guides and drivers take a couple of days off over the key celebrations, so it's best to book tours and transport a little while in advance - there will still be some non-Hindu drivers working these days.

Manis Galungan (the day after Galungan) is when most locals will travel to visit family and friends or take days out together, so you may notice the roads are extra busy on this day. Large ceremonies can also cause blockages and congestion on the roads.

If you're staying in a tourist resort area, the majority of restaurants, shops, and attractions remain open over the celebrations.