Chinese New Year (Imlek) 2026

Chinese New Year, known locally as Imlek, brings vibrant celebrations to Bali on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse with temple ceremonies, barongsai (lion dances), dragon performances, family feasts, and public festivals across Denpasar, Kuta, and Singaraja. Bali's Chinese-Indonesian community, rooted on the island for over 300 years, transforms temples with red lanterns and fresh paint, fills streets with gongs and drums, and welcomes visitors to join prayers for prosperity, good health, and new beginnings. If your island stay overlaps with mid-February 2026, Imlek offers a cultural layer that enriches beach days with tradition, color, and the infectious optimism of spring festivals.​

Date and zodiac year

Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, with the official public holiday running February 16–17 in Indonesia. The lunar calendar ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse, a zodiac symbol associated with energy, freedom, progress, social connection, and dynamic change. In Chinese astrology, Horse years bring momentum and bold action, making 2026 an auspicious time for new ventures, travel, and celebration.​

• New Year's Eve: Monday, February 16, 2026 (reunion dinners and temple vigils).​
• New Year's Day: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (public holiday; main ceremonies and lion dances).​
• Extended festivities: Celebrations typically continue through the Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026, with temple events, cultural performances, and family gatherings.​

Where to celebrate Imlek in Bali

Bali's Chinese-Indonesian heritage centers on specific temples and neighborhoods that come alive during Lunar New Year. Key locations include:

Denpasar

• Pura Jagatnatha and Catur Muka statue area: A focal point for large public festivals, lion dances, wushu demonstrations, and community gatherings. Plaza Renon hosts performances and vendors, drawing local families and visitors.​
• Puputan Badung square: Major Imlek festivals stage cultural shows, food stalls, and evening entertainment here.​
• Ling Gwan Kiong Temple (Jl. Hasanuddin): One of Bali's oldest Chinese temples, freshly painted in red for New Year, with prayers, lanterns, and incense offerings throughout the day.​

Kuta and South Bali

• Dharmayana Temple (Legian): A Chinese Buddhist temple hosting prayers, offerings, and barongsai performances open to the public.​
• Hotels and restaurants: Golden Lotus Restaurant, AYANA Estate's Ah Yat Abalone, and beach clubs schedule special dinners, lion dances, and themed entertainment during the holiday week.​

Singaraja (North Bali)

• Long Gwan Kiong Temple (Jl. Erlangga): A northern hub for Chinese community celebrations with traditional ceremonies and performances.​

What to expect: ceremonies and traditions

Temple prayers and offerings

On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, families visit temples to pray for health, prosperity, and good fortune. Offerings include fresh fruit, flowers, incense, and symbolic foods. Temples are decorated with red lanterns, banners with auspicious calligraphy, and altars laden with traditional cakes and sweets.​

Barongsai (lion dance)

The lion dance is performed by martial artists in elaborate costumes, moving in perfect synchrony to gongs and drums. The lion symbolizes wisdom and power, and the dance is believed to chase away evil spirits and invite good luck. Expect performances at temples, public squares, shopping centers, and hotel courtyards throughout the holiday.​

Dragon dance

Larger festivals feature dragon dances with long, undulating puppets carried by teams of dancers. The dragon represents strength, prosperity, and imperial authority, and its movements are choreographed to loud, rhythmic percussion.​

Family reunions and feasts

New Year's Eve is reserved for reunion dinners with extended family. Traditional dishes include whole fish (symbolizing abundance), dumplings (wealth), longevity noodles, and sticky rice cakes. Hotels and restaurants offer special set menus for families who dine out.​

Red envelopes (angpao)

Elders give red envelopes containing money to children and unmarried family members, symbolizing blessings and good luck. The red color wards off evil and represents joy and prosperity.​

Public festivals and street events

Denpasar's municipal government typically organizes large-scale Imlek festivals in public squares with:

• Cultural performances: Barongsai, dragon dances, wushu (martial arts), traditional Chinese music, and contemporary pop acts.​
• Food vendors: Stalls selling bakpao, dim sum, spring rolls, and sweet treats.​
• Markets and crafts: Red decorations, lanterns, and lucky charms for sale.​
• Evening entertainment: Live music, dance performances, and fireworks or light displays (where permitted).​

Check local announcements in late January for exact schedules, as dates and venues are finalized close to the holiday.​

How visitors can engage respectfully

• Temple etiquette: Dress modestly when visiting temples; sarongs are not typically required at Chinese temples, but covered shoulders and knees show respect. Remove shoes before entering prayer halls.​
• Offerings: Do not touch or move offerings placed on altars or at temple gates.​
• Photography: Ask permission before photographing worshippers or ceremonies; lion and dragon dancers often welcome photos from a respectful distance.​
• Red is auspicious: Wearing red or gold on New Year's Day is considered lucky and shows cultural awareness.​

Dining and hotel specials

Many Bali hotels and restaurants curate Imlek menus and experiences:

• Set dinners: Multi-course feasts featuring symbolic dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup, whole fish, and colorful glutinous rice balls.​
• Live performances: Barongsai and dragon dances staged in restaurant courtyards or hotel lobbies.​
• Family packages: Special rates for groups celebrating together.​

Book early—popular venues fill quickly as locals and expats reserve tables for reunion dinners.​

Travel and logistics

• Public holiday: February 17 is a public holiday in Indonesia; government offices, some shops, and businesses may close. Tourist areas and restaurants generally remain open.​
• Traffic and crowds: Expect heavier traffic in Denpasar around temples and festival sites on February 16–17. Plan extra time for transfers.​
• Airport: Ngurah Rai International (DPS) operates normally; no special travel restrictions.​
• Where to stay: Kuta, Seminyak, and Denpasar put you close to temple activity and public festivals; Ubud offers quieter New Year days with spa and wellness options.​

What to pack and prepare

• Clothing: Red or gold accents for good luck; comfortable shoes for temple visits and street festivals.​
• Cash: Small bills for food stalls, donations at temples, and purchases at craft vendors.​
• Earplugs: Gongs, drums, and firecrackers can be loud during performances.​
• Camera: Colorful decorations, dancers, and lanterns make for vibrant photography.​

Why February 2026 is special

The Year of the Fire Horse brings dynamic, forward-moving energy that makes 2026 feel especially auspicious for travel, new relationships, and bold plans. Celebrating Imlek in Bali adds island warmth to a global festival, blending Chinese tradition with Balinese hospitality in a way you won't find elsewhere in Indonesia.​

Call to action

Circle Tuesday, February 17, 2026, book a stay near Denpasar or Kuta, and arrive by February 16 to catch reunion dinner energy and temple eve vigils. Witness the lion dances at Ling Gwan Kiong, join the crowds at Plaza Renon, and taste the luck-filled feasts at hotel restaurants. Let the Fire Horse gallop you into a year of energy, connection, and island magic.​

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Chinese New Year (Imlek) 2026, Bali​
• Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (New Year's Day); Monday, February 16, 2026 (New Year's Eve)​
• Zodiac: Year of the Fire Horse​
• Public holiday: February 16–17 in Indonesia (collective leave + public holiday)​
• Extended period: Celebrations through Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026​
• Key locations: Denpasar (Ling Gwan Kiong Temple, Plaza Renon, Puputan Badung), Kuta (Dharmayana Temple), Singaraja (Long Gwan Kiong Temple)​
• What happens: Temple prayers, barongsai (lion dance), dragon dance, family feasts, red envelopes, public festivals with cultural performances​
• Visitor notes: Dress modestly for temples; red/gold clothing is auspicious; book hotel dinners early; expect crowds in Denpasar on Feb 16–17​
• Cultural heritage: Chinese-Indonesian community in Bali for over 300 years