When we hear Thanksgiving, we may think about the American national holiday celebrated each fourth Thursday of November (in 2024, it is November 28th; in 2025, it is November 27th).
Started as a harvest festival, it has become a not-to-miss family celebration and the start of a long sequence of holidays.
But did you know that Bali has its own version of “thanksgiving” rituals?
Let’s explore how the two cultures can show gratitude to nature and loved ones in this tropical paradise, and where you can feast on traditional American or Canadian Thanksgiving foods in Bali this October and November.
Do Balinese Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Being grateful, connecting with God, nature and the family, sharing food and celebrating harvest are some of the crucial things that are ingrained in Balinese culture and every ceremony they perform.
The basis of their gratitude comes from Tri Hita Karana – Balinese philosophy based on the three reasons for prosperity and well-being.
According to that teaching, there are three important relationships you need to cultivate for your welfare:
relationship with God
Every day, in the morning, Balinese place a little offering in front of their houses, businesses, and temples.
They are called canang sari and often include a flower, fruits, a cookie, and incense.
This is the way of giving thanks to good spirits and Gods for peace in the world, for blessing everyone with what they have, but also a symbol of protecting your house area from evil spirits.
The process itself is sacred. You need to be clean (body and thoughts) and dressed in the traditional attire (kebaya).
To strengthen their relationships with Gods further, every Balinese house has a beautiful towering temple usually looking towards Mt Agung – the tallest mountain in Bali that is considered to be God’s place.
relationship with nature
Balinese have special offerings and small ceremonies to thank livestock and pets for their help to humans (Tumpek Kandang), plants (Tumpek Wariga), fowl (Tumpek Krulut), and many more.
Whenever they build a house on rice paddies, they first thank the Rice Goddess Dewi Sri and let her find a new home.
When removing big trees, each of them will be blessed and have an offering as a thank you for nature and permission to remove it.
Tumpek Uduh is a day celebrated twice a year, roughly every 210 days, when the Balinese ask the God of Food Sanghyang Sangkara to bless them with healthy crops and good harvests, including trees and plants.
To thank God for a good harvest Bali holds Kite Festival (usually in July or August). The kids, teenagers, and families from all around Bali come to launch kites and enjoy their day.
And these are just a few small examples of gratitude locals have towards nature.
The beautiful offerings always include flowers, food (rice and sweets), and sometimes money and cigarettes.
relationship and with other human(s)
After every single ceremony in Bali people share food (Jotan). It doesn’t matter if you’re a family member, friend, stranger, Balinese or non-Balinese.
Some rice, cake, orange or apple, and crackers will always be offered to you with a big smile. This is how Balinese people do “thanksgiving” to all other humans around them.
Balinese also show gratitude towards things assisting them daily.
Tumpek Landep is the day when Balinese celebrate sharp minds resistant to all bad temptations, and thank all metal man-made things they use in their daily life: from silver to motorbikes and cars.
The prayers and offerings to the God of all tools and weapons Ida Sang Hyang Pasupati are believed to grant protection from traffic accidents and purify all your bad thoughts, and negative energy in the objects.
Although Balinese don’t have a dedicated Thanksgiving holiday, they quite literally are trying to give thanks every time they can, every day, and to everything around them.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Bali American-Style
It would be a great idea to whip up a Thanksgiving charcuterie board with tropical fruits, nuts, cured meats, and cheeses, and invite friends, as Thanksgiving is all about sharing and love.
Cooking sides, stuffing a turkey, and organizing the event can take the whole day though.
Luckily, there are some shops and restaurants that offer promos for guests gathering from all around the world for Thanksgiving parties.
Where To Buy A Turkey
Turkey (kalkun in Indonesian) is not a really common meat in Bali, but specialized butcher shops and a few small farms try to get some every year for those who celebrate.
A fair warning, turkey meat is expensive in Bali due to a very limited stock.
For the past few years, we have been able to find a festive turkey at:
Meat Emporium
Kirin Meat Shop (local turkey)
OZ Britts butcher shop (OZ Britts)
If you know your way around meats, you can buy a live turkey from a farm:
Restaurants To Celebrate American Thanksgiving in Bali
There are amazing restaurants around Bali that can prepare a delicious 4-6-course dinner for your family.
It will include classics like roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and chef’s specialties with local ingredients flavours.
Every year the selection of the restaurants may vary, and we advise you to check their social media for the recent updates.
Canggu: Finns Beach Club in Canggu to feast at one of the 3 restaurants and enjoy the party time after.
Uluwatu: Karma Kandara
Nusa Dua, Benoa: Mulia, The Laguna, Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort
Sanur: Café Smörgås
Seminyak: Jemme Restaurant Bali, Courtyard by Marriott
Canadian Thanksgiving in Bali
There are no special activities for the Canadian Thanksgiving Day in Bali in October, but Canadians are more than welcome to join any Thanksgiving events or organize their own party!
Tips If You’re Coming To Bali In November For Thanksgiving
Bring a rain jacket. The rainy season is usually starting in November so you will have some rainy days.
For the evening of Thanksgiving book the table at the restaurant in advance. Top-tier restaurants may have a waiting list or reservation-only policy.
Organization tip. If you plan to cook all the meals for your feast hire a local cook to save time and have enough food to feed the crowd. If your villa is not big enough to host all your friends, book a spot with a large dining room for 1 night, and avoid cleaning a messy house the next day.
Final Thoughts
Western holidays and festivities happen only a few times a year gathering all the family around to share memories, delicious food and feel grateful.
And the Balinese Hindus try to express gratitude every day with small offerings, and during many bigger festive ceremonies they have throughout the year.
They may not have turkey or casseroles, but they also love to get together with their children and friends, grill some chicken skewers (satay ayam) or slow-cooked pork (babi guling), play games and music, and simply share the happy moments.
