Taman Ayun Barong Festival 2026, Dates and What to Expect
Updated: Sep 12
The Taman Ayun Barong Festival is now listed for 16 to 17 October 2026 at Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi, Badung, with free admission for every visitor. The dates have already moved once, as the same official calendar showed 4 to 6 September earlier in the year. Here is what the current listing says, how to reach the temple, and what the two-day program covers.
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Why the Dates for This Festival Are Confusing Online
Search for this festival and the dates that come back rarely agree, so we have gone with the official listing rather than the aggregators. Some listings still show a 2024 program called the Barong Festival Superstar, others a 2025 edition at the same temple, and neither is this year's event. The 2026 dates have moved within the official calendar itself, from early September to mid October, so even a page that cited the right source can now be out of date. Treat any date you find as provisional until you have checked the official listing yourself.
What to Confirm Before You Go
Confirm the festival still runs 16 to 17 October 2026 on Indonesia's official tourism calendar, because these dates have already changed once.
Bring a sarong and sash, since Pura Taman Ayun is an active temple and modest dress is expected of every visitor.
Check for an updated daily program closer to the date, since exact performance times were not published with the festival announcement.
Plan your route to Mengwi in Badung Regency, about 19 kilometres from Denpasar.
Arrive early on festival days, since cultural events at Bali's temples regularly draw larger crowds than a routine visit.
What Happens at the Taman Ayun Barong Festival 2026
Indonesia's official tourism authority now lists the Taman Ayun Barong Festival for 16 to 17 October 2026 at Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi, Badung Regency, with free admission for every visitor. The festival brings together two recognised cultural heritages in one setting: the temple itself and the Barong tradition it celebrates.
The listed program includes cultural workshops, talks, meet the maestro sessions with Balinese artists, a food heritage showcase, and the festival's main event, a Barong Competition drawing performers to the temple grounds. The temple's courtyards and pavilions stay open to visitors between performances.
Pura Taman Ayun sits in Mengwi, Badung Regency, about 19 kilometres from Denpasar, on the road most visitors take between South Bali and the island's interior. Because the festival is scheduled as part of Badung's wider cultural calendar rather than a fixed annual date, checking the current listing again shortly before you travel is worth the extra step.
See also: Explore Bali Destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Taman Ayun Barong Festival 2026?
Indonesia's official tourism calendar currently lists the festival for 16 to 17 October 2026 at Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi, Badung Regency. It previously showed 4 to 6 September 2026, so confirm the dates on the official listing before you travel.
Is there an entry fee for the Taman Ayun Barong Festival?
No. The festival has free admission, according to the official event listing.
Where is Pura Taman Ayun located?
Pura Taman Ayun is in Mengwi, Badung Regency, about 19 kilometres from Denpasar.
What can visitors see at the festival?
The program includes Barong dance performances, a Barong Competition, cultural workshops, meet the maestro sessions and a food heritage showcase, based on the official event listing.
What is Barong in Balinese culture?
Barong is a mythical lion-like figure performed in traditional dance, generally understood in Balinese culture as a symbol of protection. Many temple festivals in Bali include a Barong performance as part of their ceremonies.
Plan the Rest of Your Bali Trip Around the Festival
A festival day at Pura Taman Ayun fits naturally into a wider look at Badung Regency's temples and countryside. Settle your accommodation, activities and transport ahead of the festival dates so the rest of the trip is ready before you land.
Where To Stay?
Book a place near Mengwi or South Bali before the festival weekend fills up, so your first night is already settled the moment you land in Bali.
Things To Do
Round out the trip with more Bali culture. Browse temple visits, tours and day trips across the island so your plans are set well before you go.
Rent A Car
Mengwi sits inland from the coast, so plan your own transport. Compare car hire across Bali and check licence rules before you collect your car.
Last verified: 7 September 2026
