Goa Lawah Festival 2026: 23 November and What People Miss

The Goa Lawah Festival is listed for 23 November 2026 in the Bali Calendar of Events 2026, launched in January 2026 (Bali Post). As of 25 September 2026, the Klungkung tourism office had not announced a programme or how many days it will run. The first edition in 2025 lasted three days, 21-23 November, at the Goa Lawah culinary plaza by the bat statue in Pesinggahan village, Dawan district, beside Pura Goa Lawah.

Before you go

• The date may shift. 23 November 2026 is a Monday. The 2025 edition ran three days and closed on 23 November, so the festival may start earlier. That is a guess based on last year, not an announcement; watch the Klungkung tourism office accounts from early November.
• The main event is the island-wide Baleganjur Ngarap competition. In 2025, 23 groups from across Bali registered and 22 were judged, split over two evenings from 5 pm. First place went to Komunitas Seni Barong Agung with 280 points. Arrive before 5 pm if you want to stand at the front.
• The last morning had a fun hike. The 2025 route left the plaza at 6:30 am, followed the beach past traditional salt-making huts, climbed a hill and came down via the Pura Puncak Sari trail. There is no word yet on whether the hike returns.
• It sits beside a busy road. The head of Klungkung tourism herself describes the area as an inter-regency and inter-island route towards Lombok. Take care crossing at night, especially with children.
• The temple is still a place of worship. Pura Goa Lawah is one of Bali's key public temples (Kahyangan Jagat). The festival is on the plaza, but if you enter the temple wear a sarong and sash and do not block worshippers.
• Closing night features Balinese pop singers. In 2025, Yan Srikandi and A.A. Raka Sidan with Ocha Putri played until 10:30 pm, and stalls from Dawan district opened from the morning. Bring small cash.

Getting there and where to stay

Goa Lawah is on the main Klungkung-Karangasem road, about 10 km from Semarapura and 10-15 minutes' drive from Padangbai. From Sanur allow about an hour via the Ida Bagus Mantra bypass if traffic is light. Park where the attendants direct you around the plaza.

Watching baleganjur until late and then driving back to Canggu is tiring; a night in Padangbai, Candidasa or Sidemen makes more sense, and you can compare east Bali hotel vouchers on AccessiaPass.

Quick facts

• Location: Goa Lawah culinary plaza, Pesinggahan, Dawan, Klungkung. View on Google Maps
• Date: 23 November 2026 per the Bali Calendar of Events 2026; programme not yet announced (checked 25 September 2026).
• Tickets: 2025 publicity did not mention an entry fee for the festival area.
• Latest updates: search on Instagram

If this is your first visit to the area, read up on Pura Goa Lawah and its bat colony first. In the same month, Makepung Lampit in Jembrana takes place on 15 November.