Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year. In 2027, Nyepi falls on Monday, 8 March.

For 24 hours, from 6 am on 8 March until 6 am on 9 March, Bali observes a day of silence. There is no travelling, normal work, entertainment or outdoor activity. The airport closes, and people are expected to remain indoors and respect the religious observances.

It is a time for reflection, meditation and clearing the mind for the year ahead.

The previous Nyepi was celebrated on 19 March 2026.; it is now 1948 in the Bali Calendar.

SSHHHHH

In may parts of Bali, the night before however, is extremely loud, where OGOH OGOH's are paraded through streets of most tourist areas (not our village, Kedisan). In previous years some villages had competitions with surrounding villages and they involved some amazing displays of choreographed dance and movement. 

 NYEPI PARADES - If an area does not have the competition between villages (not every year) the Ogoh Ogohs' in each area can still be taken to the nearest boundary of the village (the crossroads where two villages meet, and then brought back to the Bale Banjar (like an open air townhall that every village has). The main streets near the Main Bale Banjars in each village will have the Ogoh Ogohs all displayed there, so its worth going to have a look at them.

What time does the parade start?  Ahh, never think about time, its when they are ready, there will be no set time, it can be anywhere between sundown and 8.00pm.

So, if you are in Bali at this time, we recommend 4 things you must do:

1. Ask the hotel staff where will the Ogoh Ogohs are near you. Go have a look at them. During the day they will be taken out and lined up on the main street, some large villages may have more than one.

2. Later that night you can even walk with them in the procession to carry them up to the crossroads and back (make sure you wear a sarong, a shirt and a sash, and please no bikinis this day). The energy walking in these processions is euphoric. If you just wish to stand on the sidelines and watch, please dress respectfully, this is a religious event. So, cover shoulders down to knees.

If you wish to take photos, do not block the procession in anyway, do not stand in the middle of the road.  You may take videos but out of respect for the Balinese beliefs do not post any videos on Nypei Day, the day of silence should not be used for any entertainment purposes.

3. Go outside on Nyepi Eve, not out of your hotel grounds, but just on the balcony or out the front into the grounds, and look up. You will never see the stars like this again until the next Nyepi.

4. Get out of your hotel the next day and just look at the horizon, you will see further than you have before, you will see the volcano's, you may see as far as other Islands. The air is soooo clean, just take a deep breath, we just saved up to 30,000 tons of carbon emissions the day before.

Many hotels will put on Breakfast, lunch and dinner for you, however smaller hotels and villas may not.  So, you need to stock up the day before (in the morning before). 

If you are in a villa, you can go out to the pool area and swim but do not have any candlelight’s out or any lights on out there after dark.  Once it gets dark you need to close all your curtains, if no curtains you need to regrain from using the lights or block out the windows.  Make sure any automatic lighting in pathways or at your entrance are switched off.

If in hotel, they will ask you to close blinds or curtains and use minimal lighting and keep noise levels down.

If your hotel room does not have a TV, look at hiring one with a with a usb point and stock up on movies for the night/next day.  Get a good book and make use of the quiet time.

And don't forget at night to go out and look up at the stars!!

FLIGHT LOGISTICS

If you have a flight booked to arrive in Bali on 8 March 2027, contact your airline and arrange to fly in before or after Nyepi Day. As it is not possible to fly in or out during Nyepi, your airline may move your flight to a date you do not want, so contact them before they make changes or cancel your flight.

It is best to fly in at least two days before or after Nyepi Day.

You could also consider flying into Lombok for a few days instead, as Lombok does not celebrate Nyepi in the same way as Bali. This event is unique to Bali (note: Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are part of Bali and also observe Nyepi).

NOTE: Airport road access and the specific arrangements for 7 March 2027 are TBC (we will update closer to the date).

TRAFFIC LOGISTICS

Nyepi Day in 2027 falls on Monday, 8 March. The 24-hour period runs from 6.00 am on 8 March until 6.00 am on 9 March 2027 (WITA).

If you have an afternoon or evening flight on 7 March 2027, be aware that road closures for Nyepi Eve may affect your journey. In previous years, road closures have started at around 4.00 pm, with restrictions continuing into the evening. Roads then close again during Nyepi, from 6.00 am on 8 March until 6.00 am on 9 March 2027.

The Mandara Toll Road has also had separate closure arrangements in previous years.

The exact road closure times and Mandara Toll Road arrangements for 2027 are TBC (we will update closer to the date).

Although some roads may reopen for a short period before Nyepi begins, do not rely on being able to find a driver. Transport availability may be limited, particularly around the Ogoh-Ogoh processions on Nyepi Eve.

If you have a flight booked for the morning of 9 March 2027, remember that you cannot travel on the roads until the Nyepi restrictions end at 6.00 am. If you need to be at the airport for an early flight, this may not be practical.

Most main roads, especially around major intersections in tourist areas, may be affected by closures and processions on the evening of 7 March 2027. Plan to return to your hotel well before the restrictions begin. If you have a tour, a driver or a restaurant booking, check your arrangements in advance.

BOAT LOGISTICS

No boats are expected to operate from Bali to destinations such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Lombok or the Gili Islands during the 24-hour Nyepi period.

Nyepi period: 8 March 2027, 6.00 am – 9 March 2027, 6.00 am WITA.

In case you are planning to use a local ferry, the usual port closure arrangements are listed below. All dates and times are TBC (we will update closer to the date).

➤ Ketapang: Expected closure from Sunday, 7 March 2027, at 5.00 pm until Tuesday, 9 March 2027, at 6.00 am local time.

➤ Gilimanuk: Expected closure from Monday, 8 March 2027, at 5.00 am until Tuesday, 9 March 2027, at 6.00 am local time.

➤ Lembar: Expected closure from Sunday, 7 March 2027, at 9.00 pm until Tuesday, 9 March 2027, at 1.30 am local time.

➤ Padang Bai: Expected closure from Monday, 8 March 2027, at 4.00 am until Tuesday, 9 March 2027, at 11.30 am local time.

Please check the latest announcements before travelling, as the official schedules may differ.

LOMBOK AND THE GILI ISLANDS

Please note that Lombok and the Gili Islands do not celebrate Nyepi in the same way as Bali.

However, boat services from Bali will be affected by Nyepi, so plan your travel carefully if you intend to visit Lombok or the Gili Islands around this time.

Please note that there is no sneaking out, down the beach or just up the road to take a photo of the deserted streets.

Pecalang, our local traditional guards will patrol the streets and fines will be given if you are caught or seen.

Some areas also find a hotel that lets you out on the street in front of your hotel to take a sneek peak.

Any obvious disregard of this rule, you will be arrested and taken to the nearest police station, where you will spend the night in lock-up and deported as soon as the airport is open again.

This is an important spiritual day for the Balinese, so please respect their beliefs or plan your trip to come another time, or pop over to Lombok or the Gilis for a few days, as this is only held in Bali.