I’ve got your CNY 2026 celebrations covered with things to do with the family, and the best places to eat over Chinese New Year in Bali!
This year, Chinese New Year (AKA the Lunar New Year) falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. It marks the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. While Chinese New Year (Tahun Baru Imlek in Bahasa Indonesia) is a national public holiday, it isn’t widely celebrated in Bali.
Instead, Chinese New Year in Bali is family-oriented. My family’s Chinese New Year celebration usually include exchanging red envelopes, and going out for a reunion feast and a barongsai performance.
So if you’re spending Chinese New Year in Bali, I’ve got some tips on how to get into the festive spirit. Plus, the special events and reunion feasts happening in Bali for Chinese New Year 2026. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Essential details for Chinese New Year 2026:
- Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
- Chinese zodiac: Horse, fire element.
Key Chinese New Year traditions at a glance:
- Chinese New Year’s Eve reunion dinner with the family on Monday, 16 February 2026. In addition to the Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, Bali’s restaurants and hotels also offer CNY brunches and dinners on New Year’s Day.
- Gifting red envelopes to pass on good fortune.
- Wear and decorate with red and gold.
- Spring cleaning before New Year’s Day to rid your home of last year’s bad luck.
Chinese New Year 2026: The Year of the Horse
For 2026, we’re galloping into the Year of the Horse. The seventh animal (out of 12) in the Chinese zodiac, the horse is the most important animal in China, being a popular mode of transport in the olden days. Horses are energetic, thus marking a year filled with action – full speed ahead, folks!
Those born in the Year of the Horse are often enthusiastic and warm-hearted. Put on your best qipao for the Chinese New Year celebrations, because this is the year of opportunities and fast-paced growth.
Reunion Dinner Events For Chinese New Year 2026 In Bali
1. Flavours of Prosperity at Kwee Zeen
- Details: The signature restaurant at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort will put up a bountiful buffet of Asian dishes. There will be dim sums, roast meats, sweets, and yes – special Yu Sheng. A barongsai and a fortune teller will also make an appearance to amp up the festive vibes!
- Date & time: Monday, 16 February 2026, from 6pm – 10pm.
- Price: IDR 599,000++ per adult, and IDR 249,000++ per child (6 – 12 years old).
- Address: Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, ITDC Tourism Complex Lot N5, Nusa Dua.
Book CNY 2026 Dinner at Kwee Zeen
2. Lunar New Year Dinner at Padma Resort Legian
- Details: On Chinese New Year’s Eve, this family-friendly resort will be celebrating the Year of the Horse with a lavish Asian spread featuring roasts, dim sums, Yu Sheng, and more. Plus, a lively barongsai performance to welcome the new year.
- Date & time: Monday, 16 February 2026, from 6pm – 9.30pm.
- Price: IDR 599,000++ per person.
- Address: Padma Resort Legian, Jl Padma No. 1, Legian.
Book CNY 2026 Dinner at Padma Resort Legian
3. A Lunar Feast of Prosperity at The Puhu Restaurant
- Details: Let the feast continue on Chinese New Year’s Day at Padma Resort Ubud. Its signature restaurant will lay out a generous buffet spread, featuring festive classics like Yu Sheng, roasted duck, crispy pork belly, dim sums, and more delicacies! All of this is served with Ubud’s jungle backdrop…
- Date & time: Tuesday, 17 February 2026, from 6.30pm – 9.30pm.
- Price: IDR 588,000+ per person.
- Address: Padma Resort Ubud, Banjar Carik, Desa Puhu, Payangan.
Book CNY 2026 Dinner at Padma Resort Ubud
4. Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Buffet at Taru
- Details: Treat the family to an elevated Chinese feast at this signature restaurants at Regent Bali Canggu. You’ll tuck in to classic spread of Kung Pao Chicken, Duck Bao, steamed Grouper, sweet and sour pork, and more! Yes, desserts are on the menu, too – think egg tarts, and sago mango pudding. Psst – keep your eyes peeled, because you might spot a lucky barongsai roaming around the resort…
- Date & time: Wednesday, 18 February 2026, from 7pm.
- Price: IDR 1,200,000++ per person.
- Address: Regent Bali Canggu, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 93xx, Canggu.
Book CNY 2026 Dinner at Regent Bali Canggu
Psst – I will announce more Bali’s Chinese New Year 2026 events here. So bookmark and return to this page soon!
Things to do for Chinese New Year in Bali
1. Gather the family for Chinese New Year reunion dinner in Bali
Celebrate Chinese New Year with festive reunion dinners, prosperity dishes and family-style feasting across Bali.
Traditionally, Chinese New Year is all about celebrating with family and bountiful feasts! The theme is “more is more”, because more food means you’ll be more fortunate in the coming year. Want more luck? Why do I even ask? Look out for a special Yu Sheng prosperity toss, because the higher you toss those noodles, the more prosperous you’ll be! For extra special reunion dinners, check out the CNY 2026 events in Bali above. Or, if you want more food options, I’ve rounded up the best Chinese restaurants in Bali, too.
2. Gift lucky red ang pao
Prepare traditional ang pao red envelopes to share blessings of luck, health and happiness during CNY.
This iconic Chinese New Year tradition is one that’s well known all over the world. Gifting money in red envelopes (ang pao) is not only fun, but also a way to wish the best of luck, health and happiness. Generally, red envelopes on Chinese New Year are gifted amongst relatives, from adults to children, grandparents, and unmarried siblings. Fun fact: Chinese red envelopes are also gifted on other special days, like birthdays and weddings too.
3. Watch a lion dance performance
Experience traditional lion dance performances in Bali to welcome good fortune and ward off bad luck.
You’ll hear it before you see it! Listen out for the festive traditional music as a majestic colourful lion makes an entrance. Oh yes, a lion dance (or Barongsai) performance offers all the lively vibes we need to celebrate Chinese New Year. Not only that, it’s also an important tradition that brings fortune for the year. It wards off nian, an evil beast who hates loud noises.
Children can have fun feeding the lion some red envelopes, and you may be able to find lion dance performances in shopping malls across Bali (like Beachwalk in Kuta and Level 21 in Denpasar), or at Bali’s family-friendly resorts and the larger Chinese restaurants.
4. Dress in red and gold for your Chinese New Year celebrations
Shop lucky red and gold outfits in Bali to symbolise prosperity, wealth and fresh beginnings for the new year.
Get ready to see splashes of red and gold this Chinese New Year. Another well-known Chinese New Year tradition, dressing in a lucky red outfit is a must for the festivities. Why? Because the colour red symbolises strength and prosperity for the coming year. While gold is not a must, it’s great to have on as it’s the colour of wealth. And here’s a good excuse to spend that wealth: a new outfit marks a fresh new beginning, so shopping is always encouraged! So to help grow your wealth (you’re welcome!), here’s where to shop your Chinese New Year outfits in Bali:
5. Spring cleaning before Chinese New Year’s Day
Welcome the Lunar New Year by spring cleaning to clear bad luck and invite prosperity into your home.
New year, new luck! While only some of us look forward to cleaning the house, it’s believed that by doing so before New Year’s Day, you’ll get rid of all the bad luck from last year and welcome the best of luck for the coming year. Plus, it’s always good to have a clean house to host your friends and family. Deck it out with festive red and gold decorations to keep with the CNY theme. And whatever you do, don’t forget to stock up on lots of Mandarin oranges at home, for extra prosperity in the new year. Want some inspo? Check out these beautiful homewares stores in Bali.
6. Visit a Buddhist temple in Bali
Celebrate Chinese New Year spiritually by visiting Bali’s Buddhist temples for prayers and blessings.
While Bali is predominantly Hindu, historically there’s an overlap between Hinduism and Buddhism. As such, there are Buddhist communities as well as ancient and modern temples for prayers and larger ceremonies like Chinese New Year. So for Chinese New Year, you can visit a tridharma temple (AKA klenteng) in Bali and celebrate on a more spiritual level.
Keep in mind that these are religious places, so dress appropriately and be respectful to those who are praying. Below are the most significant Buddhist temples in Bali:
- Vihara Satya Dharma in Benoa: You’ll spot the Goddess Guan Yin statue before you arrive at this modern temple. Because of its convenient location, be prepared for a larger crowd on CNY.
- Ling Gwan Kiong in Singaraja: The “Temple of The Profound Source”, this temple was built near the seaport to give protection to sailors.
- Brahma Vihara Arama in Lovina: This ancient “miniature Borobudur” has a calm, serene vibe, and was built specifically for meditation practices.
7. Post-feast activities for families with kids in Bali
Enjoy family-friendly Chinese New Year activities in Bali, from beach days to theme parks and nature trips.
Keep the spirit of CNY going and spend some time with your family in Bali. Traditionally, the itinerary for the days following Chinese New Year are filled with visiting relatives, and exchanging red envelopes and Mandarin oranges. But here in Bali, why not make it island style with fun family day trips? Here’s what I recommend doing with kids in tow:
- Water sports in Benoa and Nusa Dua
- Spot the animals of the Chinese zodiac at Bali Zoo
- Slip and slide at Waterbom
- Book a pony-ride at Bali Equestrian Centre
FYI – check out these guides for more Chinese New Year inspo:
- My go-to Chinese restaurants in Bali
- Chinese New Year traditions: Do’s & don’ts for good luck
- Public holidays in Bali & Indonesia for 2026
- Save the date for Bali’s annual events
More FAQs on Chinese New Year celebrations in Bali
What is Chinese New Year and why is it celebrated?
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and symbolises renewal, prosperity, and family togetherness. Celebrations typically include family reunions, special meals, temple visits, and cultural rituals to welcome good fortune for the year ahead.
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. The date every year will vary depending on the lunar calendar, usually falling between late January to mid-February. In Indonesia, it is officially recognised as a public holiday called Tahun Baru Imlek, making it an important cultural celebration nationwide, including in Bali.
Is Chinese New Year celebrated in Bali?
Yes, but not massively celebrated compared to Christmas, or cultural days in Bali like Nyepi or Galungan and Kuningan. Chinese-Indonesian communities in Bali celebrate with temple ceremonies, special meals, festive decorations, and barongsai performances.
What are the best things to do for Chinese New Year in Bali?
Popular things to do during Chinese New Year in Bali include visiting Chinese temples, enjoying festive dining at Chinese restaurants, watching lion dance performances, and staying at hotels offering Lunar New Year packages or themed events.
Are restaurants and shops open during Chinese New Year in Bali?
Yes — restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions in Bali remain open during Chinese New Year. Many Chinese restaurants offer special Lunar New Year menus, making it a great time for festive dining without travel disruption.
Are there Chinese New Year events or performances in Bali?
Yes — some hotels, shopping malls, and Buddhist temples host lion dance performances, cultural shows, and festive events during Chinese New Year in Bali.
Is Chinese New Year a busy travel period in Bali?
Chinese New Year can be a busy travel period, especially with visitors from Singapore, Malaysia, and China. However, it is generally less crowded than Christmas, Nyepi, or summer and winter school holiday seasons.
Do hotels in Bali offer Chinese New Year packages?
Yes — many hotels and resorts in Bali offer Chinese New Year packages, including festive dining, red-themed decorations, lion dance performances, and spa promotions designed for Lunar New Year travellers.
Which temples in Bali are associated with Chinese New Year?
Notable Buddhist temples in Bali include Vihara Satya Dharma (in Benoa), Ling Gwan Kiong (in Singajara), and Brahma Vihara Arama (in Lovina). These temples host prayer ceremonies and attract visitors during Chinese New Year, offering a respectful way to observe Chinese traditions on a spiritual, religious level.