We're quickly galloping into the Year of the Horse, so we’ve got your CNY 2026 celebrations covered. Think fun things to do and the best places to eat over Chinese New Year in Bali!
Chinese New Year, AKA the Lunar New Year, is fast approaching! What am I looking forward to? Indulgent reunion dinners, and countless ang pao, AKA red envelops filled with money, honey! There’s also the weird and wonderful superstitions surrounding the Lunar New Year.
For 2026 in particular, it’s time to channel our obsession for the majestic equines – yep, move over snake, 2026 is the Year of the Horse. Whether you’re keeping things traditional or not, you can get into the festive spirit with a Chinese New Year reunion in Bali, be it a dinner, an event or a family gathering. Here’s where you can celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 in Bali. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Chinese New Year 2026 in Bali: The Year of the Horse
This year, 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, with it 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. You’ll want to put on your best qipao for the Chinese New Year celebrations, as this is the year of opportunity and growth.
How to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bali
1. Feast with the family at a Chinese New Year reunion dinner in Bali
Chinese New Year is all about celebrating with family, and taking centre stage is the feast! A reunion dinner on the night before the new year is often generously served in the company of loved ones. This year, Bali has some great options for those Chinese food must-haves – from abundant reunion dinners on New Year’s Eve to festive brunches on New Year’s Day. And psst… Some even offer a Yu Sheng prosperity toss (the higher you toss, the more prosperous you’ll be!), so be sure to look out for special menus…
Psst – Bali’s Chinese New Year 2026 events are still being finalised. Bookmark this page and check back again soon for more reunion dinners, to be announced!
2. Post-feast quality time with the family
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. For island vacationers, a family day trip is always fun. You could go strawberry picking in Bedugul, water sports at Nusa Dua Beach, or spend a whole day at Bali Zoo spotting the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Or, take the whole family to Waterbom for a fun day of sliding and splashing. Whatever you decided, there’s always a way to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bali!
3. Watch a lion dance performance
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 – plus, 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 (like Beachwalk in Kuta and Level 21 in Denpasar), or at Bali’s best resorts and Chinese restaurants.
4. Treat the kids to fun CNY activities!
Aside from feeding red envelopes to hungry lions, there’ll be plenty on offer for the little ones this Chinese New Year. We suggest checking out local event calendars to help you decide on where to spend Chinese New Year with the family. Or, to really keep in the CNY theme, why not book a pony ride at Bali Equestrian Centre!
5. Dress the part for your Chinese New Year celebrations
Get ready to see splashes of red and gold this Chinese New Year. Perhaps one of the most well-known Chinese New Year traditions, 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! Here’s where to shop for the best Chinese New Year outfits in Canggu and Seminyak.
6. Spring clean… for good reason
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.
7. Prep those lucky red envelopes
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 and to grandparents. Or, you can hang them on potted trees in the house for extra festive decor! Fun fact: Chinese red envelopes are also gifted on other special days, like birthdays and weddings too.
Looking for more special days to celebrate in Bali? Check out all the public holidays in Indonesia in 2026 & 2027!