Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, will be officially celebrated on 17th February 2026.
Bali will mark the auspicious occasion with a week of celebrations and events that showcase the island’s incredible culture and the longstanding connection between China and Indonesia.
Over in Nusa Dua, celebrations have already been getting started, coinciding with Valentine’s Day this weekend. The luxury resort hosted both Kecak and Barongsai dances for the public to enjoy.
The Nusa Dua General Manager, I Made Agus Dwiatmika, spoke with reporters and explained that the event program is all part of an effort to provide a space for cultural arts expression for visitors to the area. The decision to feature both the Barongsai, also known as the Lion Dance, and the Kecak Dance was made to reflect the coexistence of cultural diversity within Bali, Indonesia, and the tourism sector.
Dwiatmika told reporters, “The combination of the Barongsai and Kecak dance performances not only represents cultural diversity, but also strengthens the appeal of Nusa Dua as a world-class tourism destination alive with arts and traditional activities.”
He added, “Going forward, the Nusa Dua will continue to innovate in presenting quality attractions that align with the spirit of sustainability, cultural preservation, and strengthening Indonesia’s image as a leading global tourism destination.”
Throughout this week, tourists visiting Penglipuran Village can get in on the Luna New Year cross-cultural celebrations too. A series of Barong cultural dances will be performed along Bali’s most famous community street, including the Barong Landung, chosen as a symbol of acculturation and balance, depicting complementary differences between cultures and an openness to celebrating diversity.
Speaking to reporters, Penglipuran Village’s Tourism Village Manager Wayan Sumiarsa shared, “This event is not just a celebration, but a cultural statement that differences can be a unifying force.” He added, “How culture is preserved, respected, and shared with the world. The Chinese New Year celebrations in Penglipuran Tourism Village are a tangible manifestation of the harmony that lives within our community.”
Sumiarsa explained, “Penglipuran remains committed to being a model for a sustainable, culture-based village. This Chinese New Year celebration with Barong Landung is a concrete step toward strengthening that image, while also inviting the world to witness firsthand the beauty of harmony in diversity.”
He concluded, “This Chinese New Year is a moment to continue promoting the harmony that is the spirit of Penglipuran Tourism Village. With this Barong Landung cultural performance, harmony is maintained in Penglipuran.”
Lunar New Year in Bali
February 17th officially rings in the Lunar New Year. Tap a card to discover the cross-cultural festivals happening across the Island of the Gods.
NUSA DUA
Lions & Fire
TAP TO REVEALPENGLIPURAN
Barong Parades
TAP TO REVEALHARMONY FEST
Feb 21-22, 2026
TAP TO REVEALDEEP ROOTS
Centuries of Trade
TAP TO REVEALPenglipuran Village is open to tourists 7 days a week, from 8 am until 6.30 pm. Cultural performances are included in the entry fee to the village, and tourists are encouraged to also explore the ancient bamboo forest, which sits next to the village and is included in the ticket cost. However, many tourists don’t realise and miss out on exploring this magical and sacred forested landscape.
Chinese New Year will be celebrated throughout tourism resorts in Bali, and in the provincial capital of Denpasar. The heritage market buildings along Jalan Kartini and Jalan Gajah Mada, Denpasar, will be transformed in the coming days to host the 2026 Chinese New Year Harmony Festival, which will be held on 21st and 22nd February 2026.
Denpasar was once a major trading hub and holds a wealth of cultural lore shared between Chinese and Balinese communities across hundreds of years. Speaking to reporters, the caretaker of Denpasar’s Sing Bie Bio Chinese Buddhist Temple, I Wayan Gunawan, also known as Jro Gede Kuning, said that the festival is not just a celebration of Chinese New Year, but also an effort to maintain the continuity of traditions that have grown from cross-cultural relations in Denpasar.
He noted, “This festival is a space for preserving culture, rituals, and traditional practices that have long been alive from the encounters of the Chinese and Balinese communities. We want to revive the historical memory of this region.”
Celebrations will start at 4 pm on the 21st, and, as Jro Kuning explained, there will be an exhilarating program of cultural performances accompanying the ceremonial and religious aspects of the New Year festival.
He explained, ”After the parade, the activities continued in the Tukad Badung area with a group prayer led by me (Jro Gede Kuning), followed by Barongsai, Barong Naga, Wushu performances, and performances from Sanggar Naluri Manca.”
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