Sarendo Rendo Carnival at Monas This Weekend, Be There!
Reported by Aldi Geri Lumban Tobing | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Jakarta Culture Agency is about to set hold a Betawi cultural arts performance festival titled 'Sarendo Rendo Carnival 2025' at Monas area, Central Jakarta, on December 14, 2025, from 6 AM to 8 PM.
There are two icons, namely Sarendo Abang and Sarendo None
Carrying the spirit of sarendo-rendo, which in Betawi language means 'beramai-ramai' (togetherness), this event is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors and become one of the largest Betawi cultural art celebrations in Jakarta.
This carnival will feature a three-kilometer-long mask dance parade, stretching from Jakarta City Hall, passing through Sarinah, and ending spectacularly on the south side of Monas.
Cultural Carnival to Enliven 80th Independence Day of Indonesia This WeekCultural Arts Performance Building Management Unit (UP GPSB) Head, Rinaldi said, the Sarendo Rendo Carnival is a tangible expression of the Jakarta government's commitment to preserving, revitalizing, and promoting Betawi culture and arts more broadly.
This event is also aimed at strengthening Jakarta's position as an open, inclusive, and characterful cultural city.
Besides presenting traditional Betawi mask art, it also features a series of Nusantara and international masks as symbols of Jakarta's cultural diversity and creativity.
He explained that this year's event will be a space for appreciation of arts and culture for more than 15 Betawi studios ready to perform their best works.
More than 200 dancers are confirmed to participate in the parade from start to finish, making this carnival not just a performance but a grand celebration of Betawi's dynamic, lively, and proudly local cultural arts.
"Hopefully, this can preserve Betawi's cultural performances and reinforce Jakarta's image as a cultural center that connects local traditions with global cultural expressions," he hoped.
He added, the main attraction of this carnival is the giant Ondel-ondel and Betawi masks, reflecting Jakarta's friendly and expressive character. These giant Ondel-ondel will accompany the carnival parade and become the icon of the Sarendo-Rendo Carnival 2025.
"So, there are two icons, namely Sarendo Abang and Sarendo None," he added.
Not only that, visitors can also enjoy a variety of Betawi culinary delights from local small and medium enterprises in Jakarta, including selendang mayang, kerak telor, fried bean sprouts, Betawi laksa, dongkal cakes, ape cakes, putu mayang, as well as Bir Pletok and Es Goyang.
The lively atmosphere is further enlivened by the presence of a 'night market' offering various traditional games such as merry-go-rounds, trampolines, juggling acts, fish scooping, and static rides that evoke nostalgia.
There will also be a 'happy people's stage' featuring beloved local musicians, such as: Danilla, Endah & Ressa, Mocca, Azul Jiung, Boysjob, and others.
