Galungan and Kuningan: Bali's great festival, explained

According to the Buleleng district government, Galungan is celebrated by Hindus every six Balinese months — 210 days — on Budha Kliwon Dungulan, the Wednesday Kliwon of the week Dungulan, as the day of victory of dharma (truth) over adharma (evil). It's also a time when, in Balinese belief, the ancestors visit their living descendants.

Kuningan comes ten days later, always on a Saturday, closing the festival period. The district government notes that Kuningan prayers are completed before midday.

Source: Kecamatan Buleleng (Pemkab Buleleng) — Hari Raya Galungan dan Kuningan, read 7 October 2026.

The most visible sign is the penjor — tall bamboo poles, decorated by hand according to local tradition, arching over the roadside in front of homes. In the days before Galungan, whole streets fill with them.

Around the festival you'll see:

• families heading to temples to pray, with offerings
• a busy run-up of preparation in the days before, as households make offerings
• Balinese colleagues, staff and neighbours taking time to celebrate with family

For a newcomer, it's one of the best times to see Balinese culture at its most beautiful. If your landlord, villa staff or neighbours invite you to share in it, it's worth accepting — and dressing respectfully if you visit a temple.

Because Galungan follows the 210-day Balinese pawukon cycle rather than the Gregorian calendar, it lands on different dates each year — and some years have two. Counting forward in 210-day steps from the dates in the Buleleng government's own calendar, the next Galungan and Kuningan fall on:

• Galungan: Wednesday 13 January 2027 — Kuningan: Saturday 23 January 2027
• Galungan: Wednesday 11 August 2027 — Kuningan: Saturday 21 August 2027

Galungan isn't on Indonesia's national holiday list, so it's Bali's own calendar that matters — check with your banjar or employer for how it affects schools, offices and services locally. Our Indonesia holidays guide covers the national dates for the same year.