Bali

• West Monsoon Season · Jan 1 – Jan 31 · festival

  Heavy afternoon downpours and sticky humidity blanket Bali from December through March — mornings often stay fine, but packing light rain gear is non-negotiable.

• New Year's Day · Jan 1-7 · holiday

  A nationwide public holiday - many businesses close and the city takes on a festive note.

• Wet-season peak · Jan 8 – Jan 25 · holiday

  Daily downpours, occasional flooding in the south; cheaper rooms and emptier rice terraces if you can plan around the rain.

• Holi · Feb 26-Mar 4 · festival

  The festival of colours - a riotous, joyful spring rite of coloured powder, water and street celebration.

• Ogoh-ogoh Parade · Mar 5 – Mar 15 · festival

  On the eve of Nyepi every neighbourhood parades enormous handcrafted demon effigies through the streets in a spectacular nocturnal procession unlike anything else on earth.

• Nyepi (Day of Silence) · Mar 19-25 · religious

  The entire island shuts down for 24 hours - no flights, no lights, no leaving your accommodation. Magical or maddening.

• Good Friday · Mar 26-Apr 1 · holiday

  A nationwide public holiday - many businesses close and the city takes on a festive note.

• Galungan & Kuningan · Apr 2-8 · religious

  Penjor bamboo poles arch over every street; ten days of family ceremonies - atmospheric, photogenic, services slightly reduced.

• Bali Arts Festival · Jun 11 – Jun 15 · festival

  Month-long arts festival at Taman Werdhi Budaya - gamelan, kecak and the island's traditional dance in concentrated form.

• School Holiday Crowd Surge · Jun 11 – Jun 31 · festival

  Indonesian school breaks in mid-year and December flood Bali with domestic tourists, driving up occupancy and queues even as the hotel oversupply keeps room rates surprisingly low.

• European summer peak · Jul 23 – Jul 26 · holiday

  European summer overlaps with Australian school break - Seminyak and Canggu beach clubs at full capacity, prices rising.

• Indonesian Independence Day · Aug 13-19 · holiday

  August 17 - village parades, school games, neighbourhood feasts; locals decked in red and white.

• Ubud Writers & Readers Festival · Oct 15 – Oct 28 · festival

  Five days of literary talks across Ubud - guesthouses booked out, international authors in residence.

• Diwali · Nov 5-11 · festival

  The festival of lights - rows of diyas, fireworks and sweets; the brightest, most celebratory week of the Hindu year.

• Western Christmas / New Year peak · Dec 17 – Dec 31 · holiday

  Western Christmas/New Year peak - Seminyak villas booked months ahead, prices doubled, beach-club tables impossible.

a reason to go mixed worth knowing about