Take note of some dates of important festivals or religious holidays across the archipelago. They are significant for the Indonesian people of various background and will add a sense of discovery to your trip!
Chinese New Year Celebration
Jan 29, 2025
Everywhere in Indonesia
Beginning of 2020, Chinese New Year became a national holiday in Indonesia known locally as Imlek. For a long while, Indonesia outlawed all celebrations of a Chinese character. However, now Imlek incorporates customs, beliefs, and practices brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants who still follow the traditions handed down from their parents. It is common to exchange gifts during this festive period, so many ethnic-Chinese go on a buying frenzy in preparation for the gift exchange. The present and its value depend on the social status of the giver and the receiver. Costly or exotic foods or specially prepared food that has some symbolic meaning are common gifts. Paper decorations are also bought to decorate the house. Pictures of ripe fruit or healthy smiling babies are standard. Banners with gold Chinese lettering on bright red backgrounds are sold. They express wishes for good fortune, long life, and many friends. Classically they would be poetic in composition. Indonesian Chinese families consume lots of food during the New Year celebration, more than at any other holiday. As it is considered bad luck to cook on New Year`s Day itself, food is prepared the day before. Chinese believe that what you do on New Year`s Day will reflect on your life in the coming year, so most housewives do not want to take a chance of being `chained to the oven`. A large number of traditional dishes symbolize abundance and wealth for the household. One required dish is a whole fish. Fish in Chinese is `yu`, which sounds similar to the word meaning surplus or abundance. Families will usually serve an entire fish as this represents family togetherness. Oysters are also a favorite. In Cantonese, the word oyster sounds like the word that means `good business.` In Cantonese, shrimp is pronounced `ha`, which to the Chinese sounds like laughter, so it is also often included. Clams are another favorite, as they open up when cooked, symbolizing the opening of new horizons. Family members stay up late playing games, drinking wine, singing, joking, and telling stories. They strive to make the evening happy in hopes of setting the pattern for the incoming year. Visitors to Indonesia throughout this period gaze at festively decorated Chinese temples across the country. The Barongsai, a sizeable dragon-like puppet, often appears in the streets of Chinese neighborhoods. Manned by three or four dancers, they place a spectacular and acrobatic accent on the festive mood. In Bali, many ethnic Chinese visit local klentengs or Chinese temples to burn incense, paper money, and have their fortunes predicted for the new year that lays ahead.
Eid Al-Fitr
Apr 02, 2025 and Apr 07, 2025
Everywhere in Indonesia
Eid Al-Fitr also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.
Waisak Celebrations
May 12, 2025
Everywhere in Indonesia
Waisak day is a significant celebration for Buddhists worldwide, who will remember on this day the enlightenment of the last known historic Buddha some 2.500 years ago. The holiday in Indonesia is associated with flowers and bright colors. Just before dawn on Waisak Day, Indonesian Buddhists will gather at temples for ceremonies that honor Buddha and his teachings. Once the ceremony concludes, believers will often hoist Buddhist flags and sing Buddhist hymns. The most popular place to celebrate Waisak Day is Borobudur. Borobudur is a large Buddhist temple that hosts an elaborate Waisak festival. Each year, many Buddhists from across Indonesia and worldwide make a pilgrimage to Borobudur. They gather for processions and mediation., visiting and paying homage to the temple, chanting mantras.
Eid Al-Adha
Jun 07, 2025 and Jun 09, 2025
Everywhere in Indonesia
It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God`s command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, an animal (usually a sheep) is sacrificed ritually.
Indonesia’s Independence Day
Aug 17, 2025
Everywhere in Indonesia
Naturally, on this day, independence from colonial rule is celebrated throughout the archipelago. In the days running up to the 17th of August, people will march on public roads in a show of proud nationalism. There are many sports-like competitions for children from kindergarten to students from the university. The most solemn ceremony is the flag hoisting at the National Palace, televised live. Full of pomp and circumstance and conducted the same way each year, it is a spectacle of tremendous respect and honour for the flag and the Republic of Indonesia. The ceremonies are led by the President and Vice President and attended by the cabinet, military brass, family members of the current and preceding president, diplomatic corps, and honored guests. High School students from throughout the archipelago are chosen for their marching skills and put on a show of intricate steps, and turn to hoist the flag. The military is out with all its brass in high shine, standing smartly at attention in their dress uniforms. While the solemn ceremonies are taking place, neighbourhoods gear up for fun and games for the kids. Krupuk or shrimp chips eating contests, bike decorating, games, races, and lots of joy fill the day. The women are busy trying cooking contests to see who can make the biggest krupuk or the most delicious nasi tumpeng, a rice-shaped cone. One of the most popular games is the Panjat Pinang. An Areca palm trunk is erected in a public area and well greased with a mixture of clay and oil. At the top are hung various prizes like bikes and TVs. Whoever makes it to the top wins the award. Needless to say, there are a lot of slippery, muddy kids and grownups alike climbing over each other and struggling to reach the goal. A good time is had by all, especially the crowd watching the gaiety.
Birthday Of Prophet Muhammad
Sep 05, 2025
Everywhere in Indonesia
Most denominations of Islam approve of the commemoration of Muhammad`s birthday. Mawlid is recognized as a national holiday in most of the Muslim-majority countries of the world except for Saudi Arabia and Qatar which are officially Wahhabi-Salafi. Some non-Muslim majority countries with large Muslim populations such as India also recognize it as a public holiday.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Jan 29, 2025 Everywhere in Indonesia
Beginning of 2020, Chinese New Year became a national holiday in Indonesia known locally as Imlek. For a long while, Indonesia outlawed all celebrations of a Chinese character. However, now Imlek incorporates customs, beliefs, and practices brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants who still follow the traditions handed down from their parents. It is common to exchange gifts during this festive period, so many ethnic-Chinese go on a buying frenzy in preparation for the gift exchange. The present and its value depend on the social status of the giver and the receiver. Costly or exotic foods or specially prepared food that has some symbolic meaning are common gifts. Paper decorations are also bought to decorate the house. Pictures of ripe fruit or healthy smiling babies are standard. Banners with gold Chinese lettering on bright red backgrounds are sold. They express wishes for good fortune, long life, and many friends. Classically they would be poetic in composition. Indonesian Chinese families consume lots of food during the New Year celebration, more than at any other holiday. As it is considered bad luck to cook on New Year`s Day itself, food is prepared the day before. Chinese believe that what you do on New Year`s Day will reflect on your life in the coming year, so most housewives do not want to take a chance of being `chained to the oven`. A large number of traditional dishes symbolize abundance and wealth for the household. One required dish is a whole fish. Fish in Chinese is `yu`, which sounds similar to the word meaning surplus or abundance. Families will usually serve an entire fish as this represents family togetherness. Oysters are also a favorite. In Cantonese, the word oyster sounds like the word that means `good business.` In Cantonese, shrimp is pronounced `ha`, which to the Chinese sounds like laughter, so it is also often included. Clams are another favorite, as they open up when cooked, symbolizing the opening of new horizons. Family members stay up late playing games, drinking wine, singing, joking, and telling stories. They strive to make the evening happy in hopes of setting the pattern for the incoming year. Visitors to Indonesia throughout this period gaze at festively decorated Chinese temples across the country. The Barongsai, a sizeable dragon-like puppet, often appears in the streets of Chinese neighborhoods. Manned by three or four dancers, they place a spectacular and acrobatic accent on the festive mood. In Bali, many ethnic Chinese visit local klentengs or Chinese temples to burn incense, paper money, and have their fortunes predicted for the new year that lays ahead.