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The ogoh-ogoh parade on the eve of Nyepi in Ubud

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Nyepi in Bali

Hari Raya Nyepi · Bali (whole island), Indonesia

Photo: MagdaLena7 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Balinese Hindu New Year: the whole island turns off its lights and falls silent for a day — even the airport shuts.

Know before you go

  • On Nyepi visitors may not go out into the streets or to the beach either
  • no loud noise and no bright lights
  • during the ogoh-ogoh parade don't block the procession or climb the effigies

Culture

Culture & customs

Background

Nyepi is the new year of the Balinese Hindu Saka calendar. On the night before, each village parades huge demon effigies (ogoh-ogoh) with gongs and drums to drive evil spirits out of the village; the next day the whole island falls silent: no lights, no work, no travel, no entertainment — a whole day of reflection and purification.

Local customs

  • In the days before Nyepi, people hold purification rituals (Melasti) by the sea or at holy springs
  • the ogoh-ogoh parade the night before is the liveliest part
  • on Nyepi itself, traditional village guards (pecalang) patrol

Religion & beliefs

The four prohibitions of Balinese Hinduism: no fire, no work, no travel, no entertainment.

Etiquette

Etiquette & taboos

Rules that apply here

Red lineEveryday mannersIndonesia

Nyepi in Bali: a whole day of island-wide silence

  • Stay in your accommodation all day, lights off and quiet
  • Adjust flights and check-in or check-out dates in advance
  • Going out into the street or to the beach
  • Booking flights in or out of Bali on that day

Everyone on the island, including tourists, must comply; I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport closes for the whole day.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Indonesia travel advice

Don’t DON'T

  • On Nyepi visitors may not go out into the streets or to the beach either
  • no loud noise and no bright lights
  • during the ogoh-ogoh parade don't block the procession or climb the effigies

Locals appreciate DO

  • Locals appreciate visitors who treat the day as a retreat: stay in their accommodation, draw the curtains and speak softly
  • go and watch the ogoh-ogoh parade the night before and applaud the villagers.

Plan your visit

Practical info

2026 datesMarch 19, 2026

Travel tips

  • Nyepi in 2026 is on 19 March: Ngurah Rai International Airport closes all day, while emergency services and hospitals operate as normal
  • avoid this day for flights and for checking in or out — hotels usually still serve meals to guests
  • the 2027 date will be as announced by the Indonesian government

2026 schedule

  • 19 March 2026
  • the whole island is silent and Ngurah Rai International Airport is closed all day.

Photos

Photos

The ogoh-ogoh parade on the eve of Nyepi in Ubud
The ogoh-ogoh parade on the eve of Nyepi in Ubud
MagdaLena7 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ogoh-ogoh figures being prepared for the parade
Ogoh-ogoh figures being prepared for the parade
MagdaLena7 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes

GOV.UK: Indonesia travel advice — Nyepi

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