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Is October a good time to visit Bali? Is it if you like books! In fact, one of Asia’s most important literary events of the year takes place in Bali in October. Generally speaking, October is a slow month for tourism. Therefore, there is a good chance hotels and villas will lower their prices. Regarding the weather, it is a transitional month as the island moves from the dry to the rainy season.
In This Post
Weather in Bali in October
Bali has two seasons: wet and dry. Wet season runs from October to April. And dry season runs from May to September.
Because Bali is near the Equator, there is little variation in temperature from month to month. However, there is more chance of rain during wet season. And the humidity tends to be higher, as well.
In fact, October in Bali is a transitional month. While the amount of rainfall is inching up over the dry season, it has yet to reach the levels of December, January, February, or March.
It rains an average of 12 days in Bali in October. And there is an average of 6 centimeters of rainfall.
In terms of temperature, the average high temperature in Bali in October is 27 degrees Celsius, or 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Â | Ave. High | Ave. Low | Ave. Rainfall | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 34 C / 93 F | 24 C / 75 F | 2,5 inches | 6 |
| Denpasar | 34 C / 93 F | 24 C / 75 F | 2,5 inches | 6 |
| Kuta | 34 C / 93 F | 24 C / 75 F | 2,5 inches | 6 |
| Sanur | 34 C / 93 F | 24 C / 75 F | 2,5 inches | 6 |
| Seminyak | 32 C / 93F | 24 C / 75 F | 2,5 inches | 6 |
| Ubud | 31 C / 87 F | 21 C / 70 F | 3.9inches | 6 |
If you would like to know what the weather is like in other months, check out the …
Visiting Bali in October
October in Bali is generally a slow month for tourism. Consequently, you might be able to score bargains on hotel rooms or villa rentals.
There are two major events in October. First is the Nusa Dua Fiesta. Second is the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.
While both events attract lots of tourists, they only last a few days. In addition, they only impact the respective communities they are held in.
Events in Bali in October
The Ubud Readers & Writers Festival is the island’s top draw in October. And it attracts bibliophiles from around the world.
Another popular festival is the Nusa Dua Fiesta, a cultural extravaganza. But the jury is still out on whether it will take place this year. Meanwhile, the on-going Bali Kite Festival should be winding down.
Finally, there are three Hindu festivals in Bali in October. While these festivals are not targeted at tourists, you should be on the lookout for them. They can be a fascinating site to behold. Please note: because the Balinese calendar has only 210 days, these festivals fall on different dates each year.
Bali Kite Festival – Ongoing
The Bali Kite Festival is an annual event. And it takes place during the windiest months of the year. But the dates vary because they depend on weather conditions. Basically, it gets underway when the winds start to blow. And it ends when the winds die down.
Usually, the festival kicks off in July and concludes in October. But July and August are when it is at its peak. Because that is also one of Bali’s peak tourist seasons. And most of the action is at the beach.
Bali Kite Festival – Padanggalak (north of Sanur), Bali.
Tumpek Wayang – 1 October 2022
Tumpek Wayang is the sixth day in the Tumpek cycle. And it is the day that puppeteers pray to their Wayang puppets in order to honour the Lord Iswara. It is considered inauspicious for babies to be born on this day. If they are, a special ceremony is held to purify the baby.
Tumpek Wayang is one of the six auspicious days on the Balinese calendar. These days occur when the fifth day of the five-day Balinese week falls on a Saturday. And this happens every 35 days. In fact, it takes 210 days to complete the cycle. To clarify, the Balinese year has 210 days.
Nusa Dua Fiesta – 22 to 24 October 2022
The Nusa Dua Fiesta is one of the biggest event in Bali of the year. And it encompasses culture, the arts and sport. Activities include art exhibitions, cultural performances, and sporting events. In addition, there are market stalls, food stalls, and a parade.
Music is a big part of the festival. And that includes both live music, with both domestic and international acts. Meanwhile, there are also DJs spinning the discs. They list goes on!
It is unclear if the fiesta will be held in 2022.
Saraswati – 22 October 2022
On Saraswati, the Balinese pay homage to the goddess of knowledge and books by sprinkling water on images of her and on books. Children are an important part of the festival as they pray and make offerings to her at the temple of their school.
20 May 2023
16 December 2023
13 July 2024
Pagerwesi – 26 October 2022
Pagerwesi is closely related to Saraswati, which is celebrated four days earlier. And its purpose is to protect the knowledge that was gained on Saraswati in the battle against evil. In fact, it is one of the biggest festivals of the year in Bali. And it is celebrated at night, mostly at home and at the gravesites of deceased family members.Â
24 May 2023
20 December 2023
17 July 2024
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival – 27 to 30 October 2022
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is held in Ubud, which is the cultural heart of the Island of the Gods. The festival attracts readers, authors, musicians, and chefs each year from across Indonesia and around the world. Activities include workshops, classes,
The event runs four days And tickets can be purchased for one day or all four days. Some events are separately ticketed including special events, workshops, film screenings, and some live music events. There is also a large portion of events which are offered free of charge.
Most sessions are held in English, Indonesian, or bilingually. Translators are present in most sessions.
I attended the festival in 2015. And I absolutely loved it. One of the highlights was the chance to discover new authors and purchase their books!
Be advised that some of the best events are free of charge. So go through the schedule carefully to be seen if it is better to buy a pass for all four days (with less hassle). Or if you should just purchase tickets to the specific events you want to attend.
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival – most events are held at Jalan Raya Sanggingan in Ubud. But the programme is spread across a number venues including Taman Baca, Indus Restaurant, 0Neka Museum, and other spots.
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