December is one of the most atmospheric times to visit Bali. As the year comes to an end, Ubud becomes a meeting point between festive celebrations, Balinese culture, wellness, nature and family holidays.
For travellers planning a Bali holiday in December 2026, Ubud offers much more than restaurants and nightlife. You can enjoy Christmas dinners, New Year’s Eve celebrations, yoga and wellness activities, Balinese cultural experiences, rice-field walks and peaceful days away from the busier tourist areas.
For those who prefer a quieter base, Pejeng near Ubud offers another way to experience the area. Surrounded by villages, rice fields and local life, Pejeng can be a relaxing place to stay while remaining within reach of Ubud’s restaurants, cultural attractions and December celebrations.
If you are planning to visit Bali during the festive season, here is a guide to December in Ubud 2026, including Christmas, New Year, wellness, family activities and things to explore around Pejeng.
Why Visit Ubud in December 2026?
December brings a different atmosphere to Ubud.
The town combines the energy of the Christmas and New Year holiday period with Bali’s traditional culture. Hotels and restaurants prepare festive menus and special events, while visitors can still find opportunities for yoga, meditation, spa treatments, nature walks and cultural experiences.
The festive season is particularly suitable for different types of travellers:
Couples looking for a romantic Christmas or New Year escape
Families travelling to Bali during the school holidays
Friends travelling together
Wellness and yoga travellers
Long-stay visitors
Travellers looking for a cultural experience rather than a beach holiday
December is also a useful time to explore beyond central Ubud. Areas such as Pejeng, Tampaksiring, Tegallalang and the surrounding villages provide a quieter perspective of the Ubud region.
Christmas in Ubud 2026
Christmas in Ubud is not limited to traditional Christmas decorations and Western-style celebrations. Many hotels and restaurants combine festive dining with Bali’s tropical surroundings and cultural atmosphere.
Several Christmas programmes for 2026 have already been announced.
Anantara Ubud, for example, has published a festive programme including a Christmas Eve Family Feast on 25 December, Christmas dining experiences, wellness activities and family programmes. Its December programme also includes Balinese cultural activities such as a Balinese Prayer Journey and Subak Walks.
In central Ubud, Embers Ubud has announced Fireside Feast: Christmas at Embers, running from 24–26 December 2026. The programme includes a five-course Mediterranean-inspired Christmas dinner, with live music on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Another option is Mori Teppanyaki Ubud, which has announced a special Christmas Teppan Dinner on 24 and 25 December 2026.
Copper Kitchen, Bar & Rooftop has also announced a Christmas programme from 24–26 December, combining festive dining with live music and Christmas carols on selected evenings.
For travellers staying in Pejeng, these events can be treated as special outings rather than something that defines the entire holiday. During the daytime, guests can return to the quieter surroundings of Pejeng and enjoy a slower pace.
New Year’s Eve in Ubud 2026
New Year’s Eve in Ubud can be very different from spending New Year’s Eve in a busy beach destination.
Rather than focusing only on large parties, many Ubud venues combine dinner, live entertainment, cultural performances and a countdown.
Anantara Ubud has announced New Year’s Eve dining at both Kirana and Amerta on 31 December 2026, followed by a countdown celebration with a Kecak dance performance.
Embers Ubud will also host The Midnight Fire, a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner and celebration beginning on 31 December 2026 and continuing into the early hours of 1 January 2027.
Bisma Eight has announced several New Year’s Eve experiences, including The Copper Countdown at Copper Kitchen, The Midnight Fire at Embers and a New Year’s Eve Teppan dinner at Mori Ubud.
For visitors staying with children, couples or a group of friends, it is worth checking the individual event details and booking ahead, especially for 31 December.
Experience Balinese Culture During the Festive Season
One of the reasons to visit Ubud in December is that the holiday season does not replace Balinese culture.
Visitors can combine festive celebrations with experiences that introduce them to local traditions.
Balinese temples, village ceremonies, traditional dance, local crafts, rice-field landscapes and daily community life are all part of the experience of staying around Ubud.
Some resorts also incorporate Balinese cultural activities into their December programmes. Anantara Ubud, for example, lists Balinese Prayer Journeys on 24, 26, 28 and 30 December 2026, as well as Subak Walks on selected December mornings.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has also announced a Christmas and New Year programme combining festive dining with cultural heritage, artisan experiences, family activities and wellness rituals.
For travellers staying in Pejeng, the cultural experience can be even more informal: walking around the surrounding villages, observing traditional architecture, visiting temples respectfully and seeing rice-field landscapes away from the busiest parts of Ubud.
December Wellness, Yoga and Healing in Ubud
Ubud has long attracted travellers interested in yoga, meditation, wellness and personal retreats.
December can be an interesting time to combine a festive holiday with wellness activities.
Instead of filling every day with sightseeing, visitors can create a more balanced itinerary:
Morning: yoga or a walk through the rice fields.
Midday: lunch at a local café or restaurant.
Afternoon: massage, spa treatment or quiet time at the accommodation.
Evening: dinner in Ubud or a festive event.
There are many established wellness and yoga centres around Ubud, including The Yoga Barn, wellness retreats and independent yoga studios.
For visitors staying outside central Ubud, the advantage is being able to experience wellness activities during the day and then return to a quieter environment in the evening.
Family-Friendly December Holidays Near Ubud
December is also a popular period for families because of the Christmas and New Year school holidays.
Ubud provides a combination of nature, culture, food and activities that can work well for families travelling with children.
Family activities can include:
Exploring rice fields
Visiting cultural attractions
Balinese cooking experiences
Art and craft workshops
Swimming and relaxing at the accommodation
Visiting family-friendly restaurants
Exploring nature around Ubud
Short trips towards Tampaksiring and Tegallalang
Yoga or wellness activities suitable for families
Some hotels have already announced dedicated children’s activities for December 2026. Anantara Ubud, for example, lists Christmas nature craft, mini Christmas tree creation and cupcake decoration activities in its festive programme.
Four Seasons Sayan has also announced family activities and festive children’s programmes as part of its Christmas and New Year season.
For larger families, choosing accommodation with multiple bedrooms and shared living areas can also make a December holiday easier, particularly when travelling together for a week or more.
Explore Pejeng and Tampaksiring
While central Ubud receives much of the attention, the surrounding villages offer a different experience.
Pejeng is particularly interesting for travellers who want to stay close to Ubud while experiencing a more residential and rural environment.
The area is surrounded by rice fields, traditional villages and local communities. It can also be a practical base for exploring the wider Gianyar area.
From Pejeng, visitors can plan day trips towards:
Central Ubud
Tegallalang
Tampaksiring
Goa Gajah
Gianyar
Traditional villages
Rice-field areas
Wellness and yoga centres
Local cafés and restaurants
Tampaksiring is another area worth exploring, particularly for travellers interested in Bali’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Instead of spending the entire holiday inside central Ubud, travellers can use Ubud as one part of a wider itinerary.
Why Stay in Pejeng During December?
December can be a busy travel period, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
This is where staying slightly outside central Ubud can appeal to travellers who want access to the attractions of Ubud without staying directly in the busiest area.
Pejeng offers a quieter environment while remaining connected to Ubud and other parts of Gianyar.
For travellers who enjoy:
Peaceful surroundings
Rice-field views
Local village atmosphere
Longer stays
Family travel
Group travel
Wellness holidays
Working remotely
A slower Bali experience
Pejeng can be considered as an alternative base.
It is especially suitable for travellers who do not need to walk everywhere and are comfortable using a scooter, private driver or ride-hailing service when travelling around Bali.
Stay at Nawasakti Ubud During December 2026
For families and groups, Nawasakti Ubud offers several accommodation configurations that can suit different types of December stays.
The property has one-bedroom accommodation options, including a Deluxe room and a room with a bathtub, as well as a 3-bedroom accommodation with a kitchen and living area.
For larger groups, Nawasakti can also be arranged as a 7-bedroom whole compound, combining:
3 Deluxe rooms without bathtub
1 Deluxe room with bathtub
1 three-bedroom unit
Shared living and kitchen facilities
Main swimming pool
A private whole-compound environment for groups
The seven-bedroom configuration can be particularly relevant for families or groups travelling together during Christmas and New Year.
Rather than booking several unrelated hotel rooms, a whole compound gives a group the opportunity to stay together and share common spaces.
For longer stays, Pejeng can also provide a different rhythm from staying in the centre of Ubud every day.
You can spend the morning around the property, explore Ubud during the day, enjoy a Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve event in the evening, and return to a quieter neighbourhood afterwards.
Suggested 5-Day December Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival and Slow Bali
Arrive in Bali and settle into your accommodation in Pejeng.
Keep the first day relaxed. Enjoy the pool, explore the surrounding area and have dinner nearby.
Day 2 – Ubud Culture
Spend the morning exploring Ubud.
Visit cultural attractions, walk around the town and enjoy lunch before returning to Pejeng for a quieter afternoon.
Day 3 – Wellness and Nature
Start with yoga or a wellness activity.
Continue with a rice-field walk or visit the surrounding villages.
Return to the accommodation for a relaxing afternoon.
Day 4 – Family or Group Day
Choose an activity suitable for everyone in the group.
This could include a cooking class, cultural experience, nature activity or a day trip towards Tampaksiring and Tegallalang.
Day 5 – Christmas or New Year Celebration
If your stay coincides with Christmas or New Year’s Eve, reserve a festive dinner or celebration in advance.
After the event, return to your accommodation and enjoy the quieter side of Bali.
December Travel Tips for Ubud
If you are visiting Ubud in December 2026, a little planning can make the trip more comfortable.
Book Christmas and New Year’s dinners early
Popular festive dinners have limited seating. Some 2026 programmes are already published, so check the official event details before travelling.
Allow extra travel time
The Christmas and New Year period can be busy on Bali’s roads. Avoid planning too many activities in one day.
Consider staying outside central Ubud
If you prefer a quieter environment, Pejeng can be an alternative base while still allowing access to Ubud and the surrounding attractions.
Plan for tropical weather
December falls during Bali’s wet season. Bring light rain protection and keep some flexibility in your daily itinerary.
Mix sightseeing with relaxation
Ubud is not a destination that needs to be rushed. Leave time for swimming, spa treatments, yoga, cafés, village walks and simply enjoying your accommodation.
December in Ubud: A Different Way to Celebrate Bali
December 2026 offers visitors the opportunity to experience several sides of Ubud at the same time.
There are Christmas dinners and festive celebrations, New Year’s Eve events, family activities and live entertainment. At the same time, Ubud remains surrounded by Balinese traditions, rice fields, temples, wellness centres and village life.
For travellers who want to experience the festive season without staying directly in the busiest part of town, Pejeng provides a quieter alternative near Ubud.
Whether you are travelling as a couple, family, group of friends or looking for a longer stay, December can be an opportunity to combine celebration with relaxation.
Stay close enough to enjoy the events of Ubud, but far enough away to experience a slower side of Bali.
Planning your December 2026 holiday in Bali? Consider staying in Pejeng and using Nawasakti Ubud as your base for exploring Ubud, Tampaksiring, Tegallalang and the surrounding Gianyar countryside.