The biggest lantern festival of Bali: the Nusa Dua light festival
The Bali Lantern Festival, also known as the Nusa Dua Light Festival, is a major highlight in the Balinese calendar. Organised by the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation, the event glows with thousands of LED lights, lanterns and life-sized light installations. Hence, if you are planning a Bali summer holiday this June, you can add this unmissable event to your Bali tour package from Sri Lanka. In addition, all you have to do is include a trip down to Peninsula Island in your itinerary and be present at the Bali Lantern Festival. This glowing night event lasts for around 45 days, and you can visit any time between 5 PM and 10 PM. Hence, we will provide you with the latest updates on the Bali Lantern Festival, as it could be the most amazing family-friendly event for your next Bali tour.
Main highlights of the Bali Lantern Festival 2026
The Bali lantern festival itself is a main highlight for both the local and foreign visitors. However, as a tourist, you will be mesmerised by the number of lights that have transformed an open space into a glowing island.
Here are the main highlights that you can enjoy at the Bali Lantern Festival.
- Hot air balloon rides: This activity is one of the excursions in the entire event. You can board a tethered hot-air balloon and be allowed to see a sea of lights from above. Imagine the feeling you get at this point.
- Life-sized lantern structures: Here, you will be seeing the fairy characters, dinosaurs and Chinese dragons in massive light structures.
- LED dancing fountain: This centrepiece attraction at the Bali Lantern Festival features water jets that sync with the lights. You can also witness fire choreography and music that keeps you entertained throughout.
- Adventure and Kids’ Playground: Not only for adults, but this area is also a kids-friendly zone where you can keep your children engaged with games. Euro Bungee, mini-rains and more than 40 activity stations are installed there for your kids. Hence, the park makes the event family-friendly so you can visit with your entire family.
Nusa Dua Light Festival: date, venue and tickets
If you plan to attend this massive lantern event, the following information will help you plan the Nusa Dua light festival.
- Date and timing: The event runs from late June to July, and you can visit in the evening hours, as the gates are open in the evening hours from 5 PM to 10 PM.
- Venue: The event traditionally takes place on Peninsula Island and precisely at the Nusa Dua luxury resort complex in Southern Bali. You can get into the location through private ride services such as Grab or Gojek.
- Tickets: You can purchase your ticket from the entrance on the big day. If you are a domestic visitor, it will cost around IDR 20,000. However, for an international traveller, it will be IDR 75,000
What to expect in the Bali Lantern Festival 2026
Beyond the beautiful light structures, there are many things to explore in the Bali Lantern Festival.
Here’s an idea of what you can expect to spend more time doing inside.
- The massive open-air food bazaar
This venue is where you can try many delicious Balinese food items. Ayam Betutu and grilled seafood are the famous local foods you can try while sitting on the grass. However, you can’t take any food or beverage from outside to the event.
- Art stations and live music stage
The Bali lantern festival also conducts creative and entertainment booths for its visitors. You can visit art stations and get some fun face paintings, or you can be a part of live musical shows.
- High energy and crowds
This atmosphere is very common in the Blai lantern event. You can also see many content creators and other local tourists flocking to the main photo centres.
Best places to stay near Nusa Dua Light Festival
Many places are suitable for staying near the event location. Kawasan Pariwisata ITDC Tourism Complex is one such destination that is close by.
- Grand Hyatt Bali – this is the closest resort to the Peninsula Island
- The Laguna – this property is one of the luxury resorts and spas located to the north of the festival site.
- Merusaka Nusa Dua – this resort is located towards the south of the site, but it offers a peaceful stay.
Tips for travellers before visiting the Bali Lantern Festival
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes. The festival is held outside on big grassy fields, so don’t wear heels or flip-flops to keep from tripping in the dark.
- Get there right before it gets dark. Aim to get there around 5:30 PM so that you have time to find your way around the parking lot, buy your tickets, and watch the big sculptures light up as night falls.
- Book a return driver. It will be very hard to find a taxi or ride-sharing app (like Grab) after the festival ends at 10:00 PM, so make sure you have a ride back planned ahead of time.
- Bring a phone that can be used at night. It’s very dark between the big glowing installations, so make sure your camera has a good low-light setting for taking clear pictures.
- It’s important to bring bug spray because the event is on a grassy, open peninsula near the water, and mosquitoes become very active at night.
Experience the Bali lantern festival with Travelco Holidays
If your travel plans are taken care of by professionals, you can just relax and enjoy the vibrant magic of Bali’s best light show.
At Travelco Holiday, we take care of everything, from booking your flights from Colombo to getting you an eVisa for Indonesia and dropping you off at the festival grounds. There’s nothing to worry about as our skilled staff will take care of everything, so all you have to do is get off the plane and enjoy the glowing installations.
Let Travelco Holidays make your journey effortless. From festival experiences to recommendations on the best places to visit in Bali, we’ll take care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable celebration in Bali.
Contact us today, and let’s start planning your Bali Lantern Festival adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most famous festivals in Bali?
Bali Arts Festival and Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.
What date is the Lantern Festival in Thailand in 2026?
On November 24th and 25th, 2026
Is the Bali festival in Thailand worth it?
Yes, because it is one of the most breathtaking and bucket-list experiences
Are there other times to see lanterns in Bali?
Yes. During Chinese New Year
Editorial Staff at Travelco are experts in Global Tourism.