Galungan and Kuningan Ceremonies 2026

Galungan and Kuningan mark Bali's most spiritually significant celebration, a ten‑day cycle when ancestral spirits return to earth to visit their families, villages bless the victory of dharma over adharma, and towering bamboo penjor line every road and temple gate. In 2026, this sacred period runs from Wednesday, June 17 through Saturday, June 27, offering travelers a rare window into Balinese Hinduism's living traditions: temple ceremonies at dawn, offerings of flowers and incense, communal feasts, and gamelan music echoing across rice terraces. If your Bali itinerary includes mid‑June, understanding Galungan and Kuningan transforms a beach holiday into a cultural immersion.​

Dates and the 210‑day cycle

Galungan and Kuningan recur every 210 days following the Balinese Pawukon calendar, which means the island celebrates these festivals twice in most Gregorian years. In 2026, the cycle appears only once, simplifying planning for visitors who want to witness the ceremonies without juggling two windows.​

• Galungan 2026: Wednesday, June 17.​
• Kuningan 2026: Saturday, June 27 (ten days after Galungan).​

Mark both dates. While Galungan is the opening and most visually dramatic day, Kuningan holds equal spiritual weight as the moment ancestors depart back to the heavens.​

What Galungan celebrates

Galungan honors the creation of the universe and the triumph of dharma (good, righteousness) over adharma (evil, chaos). Balinese believe ancestral spirits descend to earth to visit their family temples and homes, receiving prayers, offerings, and gratitude. The holiday reinforces spiritual connection, family bonds, and the island's communal fabric through shared rituals and feasting.​

The build‑up: three days before Galungan

Preparation begins on Monday, two days before Galungan, with a sequence that visitors can observe in markets and family compounds.​

• Peyekeban (Monday before): Families ripen bananas for offerings, symbolizing readiness to welcome spirits.​
• Penyajaan (Monday): Women prepare traditional cakes and snacks used in offerings and shared among neighbors.​
• Penampahan (Tuesday, June 16): Men traditionally slaughter pigs or chickens for celebratory feasts, while women finalize offerings. By afternoon, families erect penjor—tall bamboo poles adorned with coconut and palm leaves, rice, flowers, and woven decorations—outside their homes and along roads.​

The evening of Penampahan is the most photogenic moment for travelers: streets transform into arched corridors of penjor, backlit by lanterns and sunset light.​

Galungan Day (June 17)

Dawn on Galungan sees families dressed in ceremonial white and gold sarongs visiting their family temple (pura keluarga) for prayers and offerings. Temples across the island hold ceremonies; gamelan ensembles play, incense fills courtyards, and priests bless the congregation. In many villages, barong dancers move from temple to temple, enacting the eternal battle between good and evil spirits.​

• What you will see: Penjor lining every street, offerings at house gates and roadside shrines, and processions to major temples like Besakih, Tirta Empul, and Uluwatu.​
• Family time: After morning prayers, families gather for elaborate meals featuring lawar (spiced meat salad), satay, and rice. The afternoon is for rest and visiting relatives.​

The days between: Umanis Galungan and beyond

The day after Galungan is Umanis Galungan (Thursday, June 18), when families continue temple visits and travel to recreation areas. The next few days blend quiet reflection with ongoing temple ceremonies, gradually building toward Kuningan.​

Kuningan Day (June 27)

Kuningan marks purification and the ancestors' return to the heavens. Families prepare nasi kuning (yellow turmeric rice) and special offerings decorated with yellow ornaments, symbolizing gratitude, purity, and prosperity. Morning ceremonies bid farewell to the spirits, and by afternoon the sacred cycle closes.​

• Timing: Ceremonies begin at dawn; by midday most rituals are complete, and the island settles back into daily rhythms.​
• What travelers notice: Yellow offerings at gates, quieter streets, and a palpable sense of spiritual completion.​

How visitors can engage respectfully

• Temple etiquette: Visitors may attend public temple ceremonies if dressed modestly in sarong and sash (often available for rent at temple entrances). Remain quiet, step aside for processions, and ask before photographing close rituals.​
• Offerings: Do not step on or disturb canang sari (small palm‑leaf offerings) placed on roads and pavements; walk around them.​
• Driving: Roads are busy with temple‑goers; drive slowly, yield to processions, and expect closures near major temples.​
• Shopping and dining: Many businesses close or reduce hours on Galungan and Kuningan; stock up on essentials June 16 and plan self‑catering or hotel dining.​

Best places to witness Galungan and Kuningan

• Ubud: Dense ceremonial activity, accessible temples like Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi, and penjor‑lined rice terraces.​
• Sanur and Denpasar: Family‑oriented neighborhoods with strong community temple culture and beautiful penjor displays.​
• Nusa Penida: Quieter, traditional observances away from tourist density.​
• Besakih: Bali's Mother Temple hosts large ceremonies, though crowds are heavy; arrive early or visit satellite temples for intimacy.​

What to pack and prepare

• Clothing: Sarong and sash for temple visits (buy or rent locally); modest, breathable fabrics. Women should cover shoulders; men wear shirts.
• Respect tools: A small donation envelope for temple boxes; incense sticks if invited to place offerings.
• Photography: Ask before shooting; switch to silent shutter near altars; wide shots of penjor corridors work beautifully at golden hour.
• Food: Stock snacks and water; restaurants may close unexpectedly during ceremonies.​

Combining Galungan with your Bali itinerary

• Early June arrival: Acclimate with beaches, surf, and yoga; watch for penjor preparation after June 14.​
• Mid‑June focus: Base in Ubud or Sanur June 15–18 to catch Penampahan penjor erection and Galungan ceremonies.​
• Extended stay: Linger through Kuningan on June 27, then pivot to quieter island corners or the Gilis for beach recovery.​

Cultural sensitivity and responsible travel

• This is a working religious holiday, not a performance. Balinese families are generous hosts, but remember you are a guest.​
• Support local: Buy offerings materials from markets, eat at warungs, and hire local guides for temple context.​
• Environmental care: Penjor and offerings are biodegradable; avoid adding plastic waste near temples.

Why June 2026 is special

With only one Galungan cycle in 2026, the June dates offer a focused, less‑rushed window for travelers. The island's energy consolidates around a single celebration, and the mid‑year timing pairs tropical weather with manageable tourist volumes compared to July–August peaks. If you have flexibility, June 17–27 is the cultural heartbeat of Bali's 2026 calendar.​

Call to action

Circle June 17–27, 2026, book a base in Ubud or Sanur by early June, and come ready to observe with respect and curiosity. Walk beneath the penjor at dusk, listen to gamelan at dawn, and witness the island renew its oldest promises. Then carry the memory of Galungan home—a reminder that some celebrations are not entertainment but living faith.​

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: Galungan and Kuningan Ceremonies 2026, Bali​
• Category: Sacred Hindu religious festival celebrating ancestral spirits and the victory of dharma over adharma​
• Dates: Galungan Wednesday, June 17, 2026; Kuningan Saturday, June 27, 2026​
• Duration: Ten‑day cycle from Galungan through Kuningan​
• Frequency: Every 210 days per the Pawukon calendar; 2026 has only one cycle​
• Key preparations: Penjor erected afternoon of Penampahan (Tuesday, June 16)​
• What happens: Temple ceremonies, offerings, family feasts, barong dances, yellow rice on Kuningan​
• Visitor notes: Dress modestly with sarong/sash for temples; businesses may close; respect offerings and processions​
• Best locations: Ubud, Sanur, Besakih, Nusa Penida