Mark Your Calendars: Jakarta’s Lunar New Year 2026 Festivities Unveiled!
Reported by Budhi Firmansyah Surapati | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Jakarta government is pulling out all the stops for the grand Lunar New Year 2026 celebrations. Vice Governor Rano Karno was on the scene at Bundaran HI this Wednesday (2/11) to get a firsthand look at the festival preparations.
Jakarta is taking these festivities to the next level
"Jakarta is taking these festivities to the next level," he stated, hoping the myriad of events would make the city more vibrant.
He also highlighted a decoration competition for buildings along Jalan Thamrin-Sudirman, taking a leaf out of the success book from the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Jakarta to Host Major Events to Welcome Lunar New Year 2026The city is calling on retailers and building managers to pitch in and innovate, giving Jakarta a 'festive makeover' with stunning Lunar New Year-themed decorations.
From February 13 to 17, the Jakarta Lunar New Year Festival will take center stage at Bundaran HI. The iconic landmark will be bathed in light with artistic installations and visual displays throughout the week.
The celebration hits a high note on February 13 with the 'Colossal Jakarta Lunar Symphony.' This grand performance, featuring over 50 traditional Chinese instruments and the enchanting Selendang Dendang dance, will unfold right on the pedestrian strip in front of Plaza Indonesia for a one-hour spectacle.
The festivities continue as the 'Blue Squad' of culture brings the heat to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). From February 15 to 17, the Jakarta Provincial Pavilion will host high-energy Barongsai and Liong (Dragon Dance) performances to keep the festive spirit alive.
The art installations are designed to take domestic and international tourists on a deep dive into the rich history and narratives of Jakarta’s Peranakan culture.
Moving along, the Jakarta government will host 'Harmoni Jakarta; Powered by Jakarta City Branding' from February 15 to 17 at the Blok M Hub. This event will showcase Chinese-inspired art and performances, and will also feature the unveiling of the city’s new branding logo.
The festivities gain momentum from February 16 to 17 with 'Semarak Imlek Jakarta' at the National Monument (Monas). The event will light up the night with state-of-the-art video mapping and art installations that represent a perfect marriage of technology and tradition.
Simultaneously, the Jakarta Light Festival Lunar New Year Edition will transform the historic Kota Tua area. Meanwhile, the Jakarta Temple Festival—a month-long homage to the spiritual and historical heritage that forms the city’s pluralistic soul—will run throughout February.
To top it all off, the month-long celebrations will wrap up with the Cap Go Meh Festival on March 3, 2026. This grand finale, held in tandem with the Indonesian Chinese Association (INTI), will take center stage at Pancoran Chinatown Point in Glodok, Taman Sari.
Rano also highlighted a unique cultural 'handover' this year. "We will be celebrating the Lunar New Year from February 13 to 17. Then, in a beautiful display of our city’s diversity, there’s a seamless transition from February 17 to 18 as we enter the holy month of Ramadan," he concluded.
