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Indonesia Knowledge

Indonesian festivals by month

Indonesia's calendar layers Hindu (Bali), Muslim (majority), Christian (Toraja, Manado, Papua), Buddhist (Waisak), Chinese-Indonesian (Imlek) and animist (Sumba Pasola, Marapu) traditions on top of the national civic calendar. Many are gorgeous public events; a few are 24-hour shutdowns (Nyepi). Plan around them — or towards them.

Note on the pawukon cycle: Galungan-Kuningan (Balinese Hindu) runs on a 210-day pawukon cycle, so it happens twice most years. In 2026: 4 Mar + 30 Sep. Full guide at /practical/galungan-kuningan.

January

  • Tahun Baru (New Year's Day)
    1 Jan · National

    Public holiday

  • Cap Go Meh
    Late Jan · Chinese-Indonesian communities

    15 days after Chinese New Year — Singkawang parade most famous

February

  • Chinese New Year (Imlek)
    Variable Feb · National (public holiday)

    Glodok (Jakarta), Singkawang (West Kalimantan) major venues

  • Pasola
    Feb–Mar · Sumba

    Ritual spear-throwing on horseback in Marapu-tradition villages

March

  • Nyepi (Balinese Hindu New Year)
    Variable Mar · Bali

    24-hour island shutdown; airport closes; hotels internal-only

  • Ogoh-Ogoh parades
    Evening before Nyepi · Bali

    Giant demon-effigy processions; Denpasar/Ubud/Sanur major viewings

  • Nyale festival
    Feb–Mar · Lombok

    Sea-worm harvest at Kuta Lombok

April

  • Good Friday
    Variable Mar/Apr · National (public holiday)

    Largo (Larantuka) Semana Santa is a spectacular Catholic procession

  • Semana Santa Larantuka
    Holy Week · Flores

    Portuguese-Catholic tradition — one of Southeast Asia's most striking processions

May

June

  • Pancasila Day
    1 Jun · National (public holiday)

    Founding-ideology anniversary

  • Bali Arts Festival
    Jun–Jul · Denpasar

    Month-long dance, music, craft — Taman Werdhi Budaya

  • Idul Adha (Eid al-Adha)
    Variable · National (public holiday)

    Sacrifice-holiday; many restaurants closed

July

  • Toraja funeral season begins
    Jul–Sep · South Sulawesi (Tana Toraja)

    Massive traditional funeral ceremonies

  • Jakarta International Java Jazz
    Variable · Jakarta

    Major music festival

August

  • Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan)
    17 Aug · National (public holiday)

    Nation-wide celebrations, pole-climbing (panjat pinang), decorations

  • Erau Festival
    Variable Aug · East Kalimantan (Tenggarong)

    Kutai royal court cultural festival

September

October

November

  • Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Maulid)
    Variable Nov · National (public holiday)
  • Cheng Beng grave visits
    Variable · Chinese-Indonesian communities

    Family grave visits

December

  • Christmas Day
    25 Dec · National (public holiday)

    Manado, Toraja, Papua major Christian regions

  • Peak tourist season begins
    Late Dec · Bali

    Villa rates 2–3× — book 90+ days ahead

See also