overview
Fireworks, noise, disarray, people in the streets, alcohol - these all come to mind when most people think of New Year's evening. If you're lucky enough to be in Bali for the New Year celebrations, you won't find any of that here. In fact, according to the Balinese-Hindu Saka calendar, the festivities are the opposite. Silence, peace, prayers, empty streets, and complete darkness in the evening. For some, a day of boredom with many restrictions; for others, the most popular day of the year. This Guide will not only enlighten you on why it's dark on the island and why you should not miss Nyepi in Bali but also tell you what to look out for in connection with these celebrations.
This Guide is divided into the following sections:
WHat is Nyepi
Nyepi is a celebration of the Saka New Year and takes place on the first day after the new moon Tilem, the tenth month Kedasa in the Saka calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, this day usually falls in March or April.
For the Balinese, it is the most important holiday of the year, associated, among other things, with the holiday for the entire Indonesia. In Bali, the celebration of Nyepi (nicknamed "Day of Silence") is part of a 6-day series of festivals beginning with the purification ritual of Melasti two to three days before Nyepi itself. For more on Melasti, Ogoh-Ogoh, and other ceremonies associated with Nyepi, see the Ceremonies Guide.
During the Nyepi day, the locals pray, intending to find their pure soul, followed by its purification and, thus, the world's purification. During the day, they pray as part of the Yoga Brata ceremony.
The New Year celebrations involve, among other things, the island plunging into deep darkness. This is because there is a ban on all lighting and because the celebrations occur during the new moon when there is no moon in the sky. If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you will see a beautiful sky full of millions of stars, including the Milky Way. It's one of the reasons we love Nyepi so much.
Night Sky during Nyepi
💡 Interesting fact: It is said that at night on Nyepi, evil spirits fly over the island. And because there are no people on the streets and the island is not lit, they fly over the island, not noticing it due to its darkness.
Nyepi Restrictions
On this sacred day, several restrictions are in effect for 24 hours, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 AM the next day. These restrictions are:
Amati Geni: Ban the usage of electric lights and fire
Amati Karya: Ban on work (and cooking) and business activities
Amati Lelunganan: No traveling and no leaving the house to go to the street, beach, etc. (theoretically, you can go to the garden or move around the hotel area)
Amati Lelanguan: Prohibition of loud entertainment, music, loud laughter, etc.
In some years, providers have even shut down internet connections following government orders in Bali. You usually only know whether the internet will work a few days before Nyepi.
Hospitals remain open in case of life and health emergencies.
These restrictions are closely monitored by the local Pecalang municipal police, who drive through the villages and ensure that they are enforced. Violation of any prohibition is punishable by fines. We even know of a case where a light bulb at a house was not switched off in the evening because it was on a time switch. The police officers did not want to hear about the "can't turn it off" option and smashed the bulb with a stick.
The airport and all shipping connecting Bali to the nearby islands are closed in conjunction with these bans. Therefore, flying in or out of Bali on this day is impossible. Keep this in mind if you are planning a holiday during this period.
💡 Interesting fact: Bali is the only place in the world where the international airport is closed for 24 hours due to religious activities.
If you decide Nyepi is not for you and want to escape these bans, for example, to Lombok or its Gili Islands, we recommend leaving a few days in advance. Boats tend to be overcrowded just before Nyepi, as many people leave Bali before the festivities.
💡 Tip: Nyepi is also celebrated on the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, which belong to Bali. So you can't hide from Nyepi restrictions on these islands.
Our Recommendations
As we have already spent a few Nyepi days in Bali, here are some recommendations that you may find helpful for this day.
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Prepare food and drink the day before for the next 24 hours when you won't be able to go out and restaurants, shops, and delivery services are not open.
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Download your favorite movies or TV shows in advance to watch them offline.
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If you read, remember your favorite book.
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It is good to find accommodation where you have an unobstructed view of the sky (for example, a balcony or garden) at Nyepi - you won't regret it if the sky is clear.
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Make sure your home has curtains that prevent light (for example, from a lamp) from escaping into the street.
Nyepi Dates for The Following Years
If you plan a holiday longer in advance, you will find Nyepi dates for the following years helpful.
Nyepi | Saka Year | Weekday | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | 1947 | Saturday | 29/03/2025 |
2026 | 1948 | Thursday | 19/03/2026 |
2027 | 1949 | Monday | 08/03/2027 |
2028 | 1950 | Sunday | 26/03/2028 |
2029 | 1951 | Thursday | 15/03/2029 |
2030 | 1952 | Tuesday | 05/03/2030 |
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