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 about Hari 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.

September
Ramadan: 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.

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 and gaining of wisdom. Celebrations are held at Borobudur Temple near Yogyakarta on the island of Java. Galungan - this is an important festival on Bali. The day it is celebrated changes depending on the Hindu calendar. This festival honours ancestors and people travel home to their families to make offerings and pay respects. Nyepi - this day is the Balinese New Year. It is also based on the Hindu calendar and is very different from New Year celebrations in Australia. Before Nyepi, the Balinese people take statues of the gods out and clean them. They hold special ceremonies to cast out bad spirits and then on the day of Nyepi they do nothing. The word Nyepi literally means silence and everything in Bali closes, 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 not eat or drink while there is sunlight. This is a time to focus on prayer and faith. In the evening families 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 and ask each other for forgiveness for any wrongs that they have done during the year. This festival lasts 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. It remembers the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christmas - this is also the same festival celebrated by Christians everywhere. This is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Ceremonies
Ceremonies are special events that are performed in a customary way. Common ceremonies are things like 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 part in 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 need to be completed before the festival can begin. In Bali, before Nyepi begins, the people must complete the ceremonial task of cleaning their stautues of the gods and banishing bad spirits.