BALI CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011

In addition to the processions of cultural and religious rituals of daily life, temple festivals occur all year round. The Odalan, for example, is the anniversary festival of a temple. Given the number of temples in Bali, you can practically find an Odalan every day. And on every Odalan, elaborately prepared offerings are presented to the gods and the goddesses and the young and the old of the village gather for nightly performances of ritual dances or wayang kulit, accompanied by the brilliant sound of a gamelan orchestra. Remember, that the Balinese indigenous calendar system, the Pawukon year, cycles every 210 days.

Below our calendar you will find a list explaining some highlights of Bali's most important Ceremonies. Full moon is also celebrated in Bali's villages.

Official Holidays for 2011
Kalender Hari Libur Nasional Indonesia Tahun 2011

Tahun Baru Masehi - International New Year’s Day
Saturday, 1 January 2011

Tahun Baru Imlek - Lunar / Chinese New Year – 1st day of 1st month of lunar calendar
Thursday, 3 February 2011

Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW - Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet) – Birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, falls on 12th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal of Islamic Calendar
Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Hari Raya Nyepi (Tahun Baru Saka) - Bali New Year – Balinese “Day of Silence” that falls on Bali’s Lunar New Year. Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday
Saturday, 5 March 2011

Wafat Isa Al-Masih (Jumat Agung) - Good Friday – Date varies; this is the Friday before Easter Sunday 2011, which is the first Sunday after the first Paschal Full Moon following the official vernal equinox.
Friday, 22 April 2011
 

Hari Raya Waisak - Vesak Day – Buddha’s Birthday, usually is celebrated on the first full moon day in the month of May. Indonesia Hari Waisak 2011
Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Kenaikan Isa Al-Masih - Ascension Day
Thursday, 2 June 2011

Lailat al Miraj - Ascension of the Prophet
Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan R.I. - Indonesian National Day – Celebrating the country’s proclamation of independence in year 1945
Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Hari Raya Idul Fitri / Lebaran - Eid al-Fitr – End of Ramadan. Symbolize winning from the evil after 1 month of fasting.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Hari Raya Idul Adha / Hari Raya Haji - Eid al-Adha Feast of the Sacrifice / Kurban
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Monday, 7 November 2011

Tahun Baru 1432 Hijriyah - Al-Hijra Islamic New Year according to Islamic calendar, falls on 1st of Muharram
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Monday, 28 November 2011

Hari Raya Natal - Christmas Day / Boxing Day
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Monday, 26 December 2011

Note:
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and so if dates are given above, they are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
(b) Buddhist festivals are also timed according to phases of the moon and variations may occur.

Balinese Cultural Events for 2011

There are many holidays and ceremonies celebrated in Bali, throughout the year. In addition to major celebrations, there are numerous local village temple festivals. The list to the right highlights some of Bali's most important holidays. Full moon is also celebrated in Bali's villages. We have tried to be as accurate as possible in creating this Events Calendar. The calendar will be updated as we learn of additional events. 5 March 2011 Nyepi, This holiday is the Balinese New Year called icaka New Year, the day of total silence throughout the island. No activity, no traffic at all on the roads, no fire may be lit for 24 hours. Great purification and sacrificial rites are held the day before so as to exorcize evil spirits from every corner of the island. 23 April 2011 Saraswati, This day is devoted to God's Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offerings are made for them. 6 July 2011 Galungan, This is the most important holiday symbolizing the victory of Virtue (Dharma) upon Evil (Adharma). The holiday is specialized by the fitting of 'penjor', a tall bamboo pole splendidly decorated with woven young coconut leaves, fruit, cakes and flowers, on the right side of every house entrance. People are attired in their finest clothes and jewels this day. 19 November 2011 Saraswati, This day is devoted to God's Manifestation as Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature. On this day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offerings are made for them. 23 November 2011 Pagerwesi, The name literally means 'iron fence', on which day ceremonies and prayers are held for strong mental and spiritual defense in welcoming the Galungan holiday.