Melasti – with its colourful processions towards the beach – takes place several days before the Balinese New Year
26th March: Nyepi – the Balinese New Year – a day of silence, meditation and tranquillity throughout the island.
July – August: Metatah – the Hindu tooth-filing ceremony
14th – 24th October: Galungan and Kuningan – two very popular festivities retracing the creation and the purification of the Universe

(Note: no surfing competition in 2009, although it may take place in subsequent years. Attention: festival dates vary from year to year)