Nyepi is an important Hindu holiday in Bali, usually called the ‘Day of Silence’. It is held at the start of the Balinese year, usually in March.
Nyepi is a public holiday in Indonesia, and most locals observe it by practising silence, fasting, and meditation.
Nyepi 2025, Public Holiday Dates in Bali, What’s Open & Things to do
This explains why the locals do not work, travel, or entertain during the Balinese New Year celebrations. Visitors to Bali during this time will encounter deserted streets, empty entertainment venues, and quiet neighbourhoods.
The evening before Nyepi, you may find a parade through the streets of Bali with locals carrying large Ogoh-Ogoh statues.
When planning your holiday around this period, note that there is very little activity outside your hotel, on the beaches and on the streets. Shops will be closed, and even Denpasar Airport will remain closed all day. Only emergency operations for life-saving and pregnant women are carried out.
Foreigners are expected to respect the traditions of the Balinese people during Nyepi and resume their itinerary in the subsequent days.
hi, i have booked to bali/ubud from 13 to 18 march. i read infos about 17th that any activities will shut down on the island.
but how about 13-14-15-16 ( especially 15-16 i suppose) ? before silent day every things are happening as in normal routine? i hope is not an empty/quaiet island.. pls if you can briefly describe how’s the life in ubud, one or two days before silent day. thank you
Hi Vlad,
Everything is basically normal running up to Nyepi. Obviously on the big day everything shuts down, so this is a good day to relax by the pool at your hotel.
Otherwise, you should be able to enjoy most activities as per normal. Just make sure to not stay out late on the 16th as you may have trouble catching a taxi after 8-9pm.
Best regards,
Jess
My flight lands on march 16th at 9pm…will I be able to get a taxi to Canguu? The driver I usually use said all roads will be closed after 2pm on the 16th? Is this true? What are my options for transportation when my flight lands at 9pm?
Hi Chelsea,
Not sure, sounds like your driver has more information that we do at this stage. I would expect to still see a few taxis on the road, but most will have retired for the evening. I suggest you contact your hotel/accommodation provider to try and make arrangements with them directly.
Best regards,
Jess
hi there, im booked my flight ticket to Bali from 15 – 19 march 2018.
just realise the Bali new year (Nyepi day) is falls on 17th march which no outside activities is allowed for everybody.
so how about the next day, is it all the attractions place will open to tourist as usual or still close?
thanks
Hi Yus,
Most things go back to normal after Nyepi, so you should be able to enjoy Bali as usual on the 18th of March 2018.
Have a wonderful time!
Jess
Hello there,
my flight will be on Sun 18th March at 8.30am. Is it going to be difficult to get a taxi to Denpasar airport? Ohh man. I should have research on this earlier. Now that my Sat, 17th March is wasted. Does it affect on Fri too, 16th March? What time will the shop closed on the 16th? By chance any shops open on Nyepi? I’m curious.
Thank you.
Hi Nur,
Not sure about individual shops closing time, but most department stores and restaurants will still be open the night before.
Just plan a relaxing day in your hotel and you will be fine. From the 18th, things should be back to normal.
Have a wonderful time in Bali!
Jess
Hi, thank you for the information. I have a flight departing Bali on March 17th at 1:30 AM. Does the airport closure start at 6 AM on March 17th? I just want to make sure the flight I have booked is real.
Hi Asher,
Not sure of the exact time this year. I would check directly with the airline, as this is the only reliable way to check up on the details of your flight.
Best regards,
Jess
we’re also had no idea of this nyepi festival and bought flight tix+ hotel stay in bali from 16-18th March. it is quite frustrating to know that we need to pay for penalties if we want to change the flight dates.. and burn our pre-booked hotels
Hi Ika,
It really is the responsibility of travellers to make themselves aware of these cultural festivals when visiting another country. Nyepi runs every year and is a very important cultural festival for the locals.
It is unfortunate that you might lose out if you change your plans, but a good lesson when booking future travel to religious countries to check when these important holidays occur, before locking in your final plans. Maybe check with your hotel before you change your plans to see if they still have services running. On the plus side, if you are there for some relaxation, it is a great opportunity relax with a good book or a quiet swim within your hotel.
Best Regards,
Jess
Hi there,
We arrive on 16 March 2018 and staying at Grand Inna, Kuta. The hotel have told us they are able to pick and our luggage up from the airport but have to drop us 1.5kms away from th hotel, with our luggage and walk because of the road closure preparations for the next day!!!
I’m trying to find what roads are actually closed to see if we can find an alternate route to at least get to the hotel and check in without walking with our luggage! But I can’t find anything specific.
Are you able to tell me what streets the procession is in and what roads will be closed they day before Nyepi Day please?
There has to be an alternate route, even if we have to drive all the way around haha!
Thanks so much,
Cass
Hi Cass,
Unfortunately I have no idea. Typical with Bali, they don’t often publish information like this in advance and take a more haphazard approach to their festivals.
You will probably just need to figure it out on the day and perhaps hail a taxi. Although I would be surprised if your hotel couldn’t arrange for someone to assist you with your luggage, even if you have to pay for someone to carry it for you. Otherwise, wear your best walking shoes as you’ll just have to walk!
Best regards,
Jess
Thanks so much Jess!
Are you able to tell me what time the last flight out of Bali is schedule to be – I have a friend who is booked on a 1.30am flight on the 17th March – thanks
Hi Cathy,
I suggest you check with a booking service such as Skyscanner, as it would be quite onerous for me to run through every flight provider for you. If a flight is booked for 1.30am, obviously there will be some providers still flying on Nyepi. Best to also check with hotels to make sure your friend can get a transfer to their hotel during this period, as most services will not run.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi,
I just want to be sure and ask is it so that Nyepi begins at 6:00 am? Our flight will land to Denpasar on Friday 16th 11:45 pm, so we we should have enough time to travel to hotel to Legian and have check-in before 6:00 when Nyepi begins?
Kind Regards Simo
Hi Simo,
Yes. Traditionally, Nyepi commences at 6am, so make sure you confirm your travel arrangements with your hotel prior to your arrival. They should be able to assist you in getting to your hotel during this holiday.
Best regards,
Jess
Hello,
So we booked our flights into Bali on Eastern China air and we land in Bali on March 17th at 12:30am, it says the holiday begins at 6:00am so does that mean my flight will still land at its normal time? Will the airport still be open? I’m just really worried about getting stuck somewhere because of this holiday. Any advice would be great!
Hi Chiara,
I anticipate you may have some difficulties, so best to contact your hotel to arrange transport as you don’t find yourself stuck. I would also check directly with your airline to make sure your flight time has not been affected.
Hotel restaurants and other facilities are usually open – often with a more basic menu – but you won’t be able to leave your accommodation and you may have difficulties checking in. If you’re in a private villa you’ll be expected to keep the noise down and lights off, even if you choose not to observe total silence.
I would contact your hotel provider to make arrangements well in advance so that you have the option to change the arrival date if they cannot accommodate you.
Best regards,
Jess
Could you please confirm which day in 2018 the Denpasar Bali airport will be closed. I am planning to book flights into Bali in March 2018.
Hi Linda,
Nyepi is scheduled for 17 April 2018, so this is the day that the airport will close. I would also avoid the day before and after if possible, as there will no doubt be a surge of passengers on these days.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi Jess, we’ve been told Nyepi will be 17 march 2018. Can you please advise which is correct? Is Nyepi confirmed by the government officially? Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth,
17 March 2018 is correct, our page had an error which I have corrected.
The date is decided by the Hindu Balinese saka calendar.
Kind regards,
Jess
We have booked our flight, arriving Bali on 15th March at 9.10pm, only later did our tour agent told us that Nyepi festival will be observed on 17th March and we may need to re-schedule our trip, otherwise it’ll be a waste to stay in Bali on 16th & 17th March without doing any activities. The problem is to change our flight we are charged a penalty of RM200. So I’m wondering if we can still travel to Bali on the dates and have minimal activities, maybe we can experience the Nyepi festival. Can foreigners do that?
Hi Punita,
Foreigners can certainly take part in the religious holiday. The night before Nyepi day there are the Ogah Ogah parades, where monsters (made from paper and bamboo) are paraded through the streets and often burnt after the parades. The Balinese believe the monsters scare away bad spirits. The day of silence is for reflection.
Just plan ahead and make any purchases such as snacks, drinks and other personal items before Nyepi, and maybe spend the day of silence relaxing by the pool.
Regards,
Jess