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Andi Refandi
Andi serves as a Senior Account Executive on Emerhub’s global team.
Bali’s public holiday calendar is defined by national and regional holidays unique to the province. The island experiences a total standstill during the Day of Silence (Nyepi) and days-long village migrations during the Galungan and Kuningan festivals. These are among the few local observances that businesses must plan around to maintain their operations.
For foreign businesses, understanding how national holidays, Cuti Bersama (Joint Leave), and local observances intersect is essential. Several major observances coincide in 2026, creating extended breaks that require preparation to ensure local compliance and manage your workforce.
Understanding Bali’s “Cuti Bersama” and “Libur Fakultatif”
Standard public holidays in Bali are often supplemented by Joint Leaves, locally referred to as Cuti Bersama. These are additional bridge days declared by the government to extend major celebrations and encourage domestic travel.
In Bali, this is joined by Libur Fakultatif (Facultative Leave). These are regional holidays, such as Galungan and Kuningan, that are officially recognized by the provincial government. Local schools and offices may close, with festivities throughout the affected weeks.
While private sector participation is optional, some businesses consider both Cuti Bersama and Libur Fakultatif as non-working days to accommodate the local workforce. For international firms, this often results in significant shifts in project management and timelines.
The 2026 Bali Holiday Calendar
Bali adheres to the national calendar while observing unique regional closures driven by the Hindu lunar cycles. Here’s a list of official holidays recognized on the island:
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | National Holiday |
| Jan 16 | Friday | Isra Mi’raj (Prophet’s Ascension) | National Holiday |
| Jan 17 | Saturday | Siwa Ratri | Facultative |
| Feb 16 | Monday | Joint Leave for Chinese New Year | Joint Leave |
| Feb 17 | Tuesday | Chinese New Year | National Holiday |
| Mar 18 | Wednesday | Joint Leave for Nyepi | Joint Leave |
| Mar 19 | Thursday | Nyepi (Day of Silence) | National Holiday |
| Mar 20 | Friday | Joint Leave Idul Fitri | Joint Leave |
| Mar 21–22 | Sat–Sun | Idul Fitri (Lebaran) | National Holiday |
| Mar 23–24 | Mon–Tue | Joint Leave for Idul Fitri | Joint Leave |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday | National Holiday |
| Apr 4 | Saturday | Saraswati Day | Facultative |
| Apr 8 | Wednesday | Pagerwesi Day | Facultative |
| May 1 | Friday | International Labour Day | National Holiday |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day of Jesus Christ | National Holiday |
| May 15 | Friday | Joint Leave for Ascension Day | Joint Leave |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Idul Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | National Holiday |
| May 28 | Thursday | Joint Leave for Idul Adha | Joint Leave |
| May 31 | Sunday | Vesak Day | National Holiday |
| Jun 1 | Monday | Pancasila Day | National Holiday |
| Jun 16 | Tuesday | Penampahan Galungan | Facultative |
| Jun 17 | Wednesday | Galungan Day | Facultative |
| Jun 18 | Thursday | Umanis Galungan | Facultative |
| Jun 26 | Friday | Penampahan Kuningan | Facultative |
| Jun 27 | Saturday | Kuningan Day | Facultative |
| Aug 17 | Monday | Indonesian Independence Day | National Holiday |
| Aug 25 | Tuesday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | National Holiday |
| Oct 31 | Saturday | Saraswati Day (2nd Cycle) | Facultative |
| Nov 4 | Wednesday | Pagerwesi Day (2nd Cycle) | Facultative |
| Nov 8 | Sunday | Deepavali (Diwali) | Facultative |
| Dec 24 | Thursday | Joint Leave for Christmas | Joint Leave |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
*Note: Dates are based on preliminary government projections and lunar cycles. Official dates are subject to the final Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB) and local provincial announcements.
Notable Public Holidays in Bali (2026)
The March “Mega-Break”
From March 18 to March 24, Bali will experience a series of holiday overlaps as the Day of Silence (Nyepi) coincides with the Idul Fitri (Lebaran) holidays. This rare convergence means the island will transition directly from a 24-hour total standstill into a week of national celebrations.
For businesses, it represents a total operational halt on Nyepi, followed by a period of heavy logistical congestion. As millions participate in “Mudik” (the mass homecoming tradition), expect severe bottlenecks at seaports and significant gridlock across the island’s main arteries.
Supply chains and delivery schedules should be adjusted well in advance to account for these island-wide transport delays.
The May Long Weekends
May 2026 is punctuated by three separate holiday blocks that brings about several long weekends. For employers, this month may see the highest volume of annual leave requests as staff look to bridge the gaps between national holidays and weekends.
- Labour Day (May 1–3): A Friday-to-Sunday break. While businesses usually remain open, expect a minor dip in productivity as local domestic tourism peaks.
- Ascension Day (May 14–17): With the national holiday on Thursday and a government-declared Cuti Bersama on Friday, this creates a 4-day weekend. Many Bali-based offices see a significant drop in attendance during this window.
- The Idul Adha & Vesak Bridge (May 27–June 1): This is the longest break in May. With Idul Adha on Wednesday and Cuti Bersama on Thursday, many employees will take Friday (May 29) as leave to connect with the Vesak Day (Sunday) and Pancasila Day (Monday) holidays. This effectively creates a potential 6-day break for many workers.
Festivals of Galungan and Kuningan in June
Galungan and Kuningan represent the most significant cultural period for Bali’s Hindu population, occurring every 210 days. As the festivals celebrate the victory of Dharma (good) over Adharma (evil), they signal a 10-day period of fluctuating staff availability and localized logistical shifts for businesses.
Unlike national “Red Dates,” these days are designated as facultative leave (Libur Fakultatif). They’re not mandatory for the private sector. However, it is standard practice for Bali-based employees to request 2–3 days of leave to return to their home villages. Operationally, you should expect:
- High-Impact Days: Wednesday, June 17 (Galungan) and Saturday, June 27 (Kuningan) see the lowest staff attendance, with many businesses closing locally or operating with skeleton crews.
- Logistical Friction: Streets are lined with Penjor (decorated bamboo poles) and host frequent temple processions, causing significant traffic delays.
- Service Slowdowns: Local vendors and supply chains often pause or reduce output during this window, necessitating early procurement and deadline adjustments.
Operational and Payroll Implications
Navigating Bali’s holiday schedule requires a proactive approach to your HR and financial compliance:
- Overtime Calculations: Employees required to work on “Red Dates” (Tanggal Merah) must be compensated with specific overtime rates mandated by Indonesian Labor Law.
- THR (Religious Festivity Allowance): The mandatory 13th-month salary (THR) must be paid no later than seven days before Idul Fitri / Lebaran (for Muslims) or the respective religious holiday. In 2026, with Idul Fitri falling in late March, companies must prepare their cash flow for these payments as early as February.
- Leave Tracking: Managing the intersection of Cuti Bersama and personal annual leave requires robust tracking to prevent staffing shortages. This is especially critical during the March “Mega-Break,” where many employees may bridge the gap into a full week off.
- Nyepi Compliance: Bali businesses must adhere to the legal mandate of a total 24-hour shutdown on March 19. No work can be performed, and failure to comply can lead to social friction or administrative sanctions from local village authorities.
Simplify Your HR Operations in Bali
Bali’s unique public holidays will inevitably affect your payroll timing, THR preparation, overtime calculations– even your operational days. For foreign businesses, these details are easier to manage when they are structured with expert local insights.
Our partners at RecruitGo offer on-the-ground support to help streamline and manage your payroll compliance so that your operations run smoothly throughout the year.
If you’re planning to test the waters, we provide Employer of Record (EOR) services to hire and manage your team without the need for a legal entity. This allows you to launch operations immediately while ensuring your local payroll is handled in full compliance with local regulations.
Partner with us today to simplify your compliance in Bali. Fill out the form below to hear from our local advisors.
