Bali calendar
Galungan and Kuningan: the dates, and what changes in Bali
Galungan celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma; Kuningan, ten days later, closes the festival. Both come round every 210 days. They aren't national holidays, but for a few days Bali runs on ceremony time: bamboo penjor line the roads, families gather, and much of the island's staff is at home.
The next dates
| Galungan (Wednesday) | Kuningan (Saturday) | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 13 January 2027 | Saturday 23 January 2027 | Checked against the Balinese calendar |
| Wednesday 11 August 2027 | Saturday 21 August 2027 | Checked against the Balinese calendar |
| Wednesday 8 March 2028 | Saturday 18 March 2028 | Calculated from the 210-day cycle |
| Wednesday 4 October 2028 | Saturday 14 October 2028 | Calculated from the 210-day cycle |
| Wednesday 2 May 2029 | Saturday 12 May 2029 | Calculated from the 210-day cycle |
| Wednesday 28 November 2029 | Saturday 8 December 2029 | Calculated from the 210-day cycle |
What changes for someone working in Bali
- Balinese staff take leave. Bali's civil servants had three days off for the June 2026 Galungan, the day before through the day after, and many private employers follow. Expect drivers, cleaners and café staff to be away.
- Some warungs and shops close or open late, and roads near village temples slow down with ceremonies.
- Government services in Bali, such as vehicle registration, close. Immigration isn't formally closed, but counters may run a skeleton service: don't plan a visa appointment for these days.
- Kuningan always falls on a Saturday, and ceremonies finish by midday.
- Two smaller holy days come round on the same cycle: Saraswati on Saturday 31 October 2026, Saraswati on Saturday 29 May 2027, Saraswati on Saturday 25 December 2027, Pagerwesi on Wednesday 4 November 2026, Pagerwesi on Wednesday 2 June 2027, Pagerwesi on Wednesday 29 December 2027. Little changes for work.
Questions
When is Galungan in 2027?
Wednesday 13 January 2027 and Wednesday 11 August 2027. It comes round every 210 days, so most years have two.
When is Kuningan?
Ten days after Galungan, always on a Saturday: Saturday 23 January 2027 and Saturday 21 August 2027.
Is Galungan a public holiday?
Not a national one. Bali gives its civil servants days off around it, government services on the island close, and most Balinese people spend it with family, so many businesses run short-staffed or close. Private businesses decide for themselves.
Is immigration open on Galungan?
It isn't a national holiday, so immigration isn't formally closed, but counters may run a skeleton service. Don't plan a visa appointment for Galungan or the day before; call your immigration office first.
What are the bamboo poles along the roads?
Penjor: tall, curved bamboo poles decorated with palm leaves and offerings, put up outside homes and businesses before Galungan.
Why does Galungan move every year?
The Balinese pawukon calendar runs in cycles of 210 days (30 weeks of 7 days), not 365, so Galungan falls on a different date every year, usually twice a year.
Sources
- Bali Governor's circular on holidays and Hindu holy days in Bali, 2026
- detik Bali: Galungan and Kuningan 2026 dates
- Kalender Bali: holy days by month (checked for January, August and December 2027)
Every other date that changes a working week is in the Bali calendar.
When the café is short-staffed
Around Galungan the island slows down, and it's a week to work from home. A height-adjustable desk at $50 a month, an ergonomic chair at $70, a 32-inch 4K screen at $160, or all of it as The Best at $345. Delivered and set up the same day, and moved free once a month when you change villas.