This year, the Balinese New Year, known as Nyepi and the Day of Silence, will fall on the 29th of March.
At 6am on Saturday, 29th March 2025, Bali will fall silent, everyone will stay at home or inside their accommodation, there will be no transportation movement, and all air traffic will come to a standstill.
The President Director of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (API) or InJourney Airports Faik Fahmi has confirmed that I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will stop all operations for 24 hours over Nyepi Day, as is customary.
Fahmi told reporters, “In anticipation, we are still coordinating with stakeholders and related ministries because I think there needs to be a special policy related to this regulation.”
He told travelers, “What is clear is that during Nyepi, we will stop flights, maybe we suggest that if you really want to go to Bali, don’t do it the day before, it should be [further] before.”
Tourists wishing to be in Bali for Nyepi Day should look to arrive on the morning of 28th of March at the very latest, though landing on the 27th of March is advisable as many businesses and taxi drivers stop work from midday the day before Nyepi.
The reason why tourists and travelers must plan ahead with extra consideration for Nyepi Day this year is that the festival is closer than usual to the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr, which will be observed on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st March.
Though an Islamic festival, tens of thousands of Muslims travel to the majority Balinese Hindu province to celebrate the occasion.
Similarly, many Muslims living in Bali travel to their hometowns across Indonesia to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families. In Indonesia, the Eid al-Fitr holiday period is known as Lebaran.
There is going to be a lot of movement of people during the last week of March and tourists should take this into consideration when planning their vacations.
Consider not only that they must stay within their accommodation from 6am on 29th March until 6am on the 30th March, but that there will also be increased passenger traffic at Bali Airport that week, and therefore more vehicles on the roads throughout the holidays too.
In some villages where tourists may be staying in rental properties or private villas, there may be an expectation that residents must be at home once the ogoh-ogoh parades have been completed. The parades and community gatherings usually finish by 10 pm.
When asked if special preparations have been made for Nyepi and Lebaran, Fahmi shared “This is still in the discussion stage, later if there is a policy issued by the Ministry of Transportation, of course we will follow it.”
With just under two months to go until the dual holiday period, more updates are to be expected. Tourists in Bali over the Nyepi holiday are always well cared for and are expected to respect and observe the protocols of the Day of Silence as best they can.
Tourists staying at hotels, resorts, guesthouses, B&Bs, and hostels will be supported by their hosts and informed about how the day will be managed.
Some hotels will deliver food to guests the night before; some offer a quiet buffet service; others request guests stay in their rooms for the full 24 hours, while others offer limited access to resort facilities.
Tourists and the public are expected to keep lights off, not use electricity, listen to music, or seek entertainment.
It is a day focused on quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer. Local pecalang will be guarding the streets, and no one is permitted to leave their properties except in the event of a serious medical emergency.
Nyepi Day is a beautiful day to be in Bali. The stillness and quiet are almost indescribable, and the deep reverence of the day can be deeply felt.
The night of Nyepi is often when the best and clearest night skies can be observed, notably since there is no light pollution and no pollution from transportation or industry.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.