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Many of Indonesias festive highlights are religious celebrations, but there are an equal number of lively events that

celebrate Indonesian history and heritage.

January

New Year's Day: this day is celebrated with parties and entertainment. If you are in a major city, youll find festivities

in hotels, discos and restaurants.

February

Chinese New Year (Imlek): those of Chinese decent celebrate the coming of the new year with a 15-day celebration.

Observers of the holiday typically visit relatives during this time, purchase new clothing and decorate their houses

with red-coloured decorations to signify good luck.

March

Balinese New Year (Hari Raya Nyepi): known as the Day of Silence in English, this is a day for quiet meditation

and reflection. Lasting 24 hours, observers of Hari Raya Nyepi must abstain from all pleasure-giving activities

including talking and eating. Travelling is not permitted on this day, even by visitors, who are restricted to their

hotels.Visit this website for photographs and further information aboutHari Raya Nyepi 1933

April

Ibu Kartini Day: this day marks the birthday of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a Javanese leader in the womens rights

movement in Indonesia. On this day, activities created by womens groups are enjoyed and schools host national

dress competitions.May

National Education Day (Hari Pendidikan Nasional): is a celebration of the Indonesian educational system.

Schools across the country host celebrations.

National Awakening Day (Hari Kebangkitan Nasional): this holiday marks the five basic principles (Pancasila) that

make up the Indonesian State Philosophy. Ceremonies are held at government offices and schools.

June

Jakarta's Anniversary (Ulang Tahun Jakarta): marks the founding of the city of Jakarta in 1527 with the Jakarta

fair. There are performances of the culture of the Betawi (Jakarta locals) around the city.

August

Independence Day (Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan RI): held on the 17th August, this day commemorates

independence from Japan in 1945. Military parades typically take place in the larger cities, as do firework displays.

SeptemberRamadan: this Islamic holiday is observed by all Muslims through prayer, fasting, acts of charity and religious

observance. Lasting one month, worshippers must abstain from eating during daylight hours and as a result, many

businesses close during Ramadan.

October

Armed Forces Day: highlights the achievements of the Indonesian Armed Forces and is marked by celebrations,

especially in and around military bases.

Youth Pledge Day (Hari Sumpah Pemuda): marks the pledge and unification in 1928 of Indonesian youths against

the Dutch.

November

Hero's Day (Hari Pahlawan): reverent ceremonies are held at national cemeteries around the archipelago to

celebrate heroes who fell in Indonesian history. Heroes are remembered through a variety of activities.Mother's Day (Hari Ibu): this is a special day dedicated to celebrating the role of mothers in the community.

Celebrations include activities honouring mothers and women in general.

December

Christmas (Hari Natal): with much of the population being Christian, Christmas is widely celebrated in Indonesia.

Those who observe this day commonly exchange gifts and attend midnight mass.

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Festivals in Indonesia are held throughout the year. Some of the Festivals in Indonesia are- Lomban Festival

Kasada Festival

Bali Arts Festival

Java Jazz Festival

Manado Beach Festival

If you travel to Indonesia in the month of January then you can then you can watch the New Year's celebration on 1st

January. In this month you can also watch the Lomban Festival. The fisherman of Indonesia celebrates the Lomban

Festival. In Lomban Festival of Indonesia the fisherman gives thanks to the sea for whatsoever have been caught by

them throughout the year.

The Kasada festivalin Indonesia is celebrated in the month of March. In this festival a tribute is paid by the

Indonesians to their ascendants. In their tribute they offer flowers, chicken, fruits, etc.

The Bali Arts Festival of Indonesia is one of the most famous festivals in the country. This annual event takes place in

September. This festival goes on for one full month. Exhibitions, cultural programs, contests, etc. are arranged at the

time of this festival. This festival is a low budget festival. People from all over the country come in this festival.

The following is a list of some of the biggest religious festivals in Indonesia.

Waisak Day - this is a Buddhist festival held in May that celebrates Buddha's birth, death andgaining of wisdom. Celebrations are held at Borobudur Temple near Yogyakarta on the island ofJava.

Galungan - this is an important festival on Bali. The day it is celebrated changes depending onthe Hindu calendar. This festival honours ancestors and people travel home to their families tomake offerings and pay respects.

Nyepi - this day is the Balinese New Year. It is also based on the Hindu calendar and is verydifferent from New Year celebrations in Australia. Before Nyepi, the Balinese people take statuesof the gods out and clean them. They hold special ceremonies to cast out bad spirits and then onthe day of Nyepi they do nothing. The word Nyepi literally means silence and everything in Balicloses, the people stay home and the whole island is quiet.

Ramadan - this is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and during this month Muslims do noteat or drink while there is sunlight. This is a time to focus on prayer and faith. In the eveningfamilies have small meals and visit friends. It is the holiest time of year for Muslims.

Id al-Fitr- this is the feast that immediately follows Ramadan. Muslims enjoy food together andask each other for forgiveness for any wrongs that they have done during the year. This festivallasts for three days and many people travel to be home with their families for it.

Easter- this is the same festival that is celebrated by Christian people around the world. Itremembers the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Christmas - this is also the same festival celebrated by Christians everywhere. This is tocelebrate the birth of Jesus.

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Ceremonies

Ceremonies are special events that are performed in a customary way. Common ceremonies are thingslike weddings or funerals. There are many important ceremonies in Indonesian culture and, like festivals,they tend to be based on the religious beliefs of the people taking part in them.

Muslim people wash themselves as part of a ceremony before they pray. In Bali, Hindu people take partin many ceremonial dances and place offerings at temples.

Ceremonies can also be a part of festivals. At times of celebration there may be some rituals which needto be completed before the festival can begin. In Bali, before Nyepi begins, the people must complete theceremonial task of cleaning their stautues of the gods and banishing bad spirits.