Luxury Indonesia Holidays

Nyepi (“Day of Silence”) is a public holiday in Bali which commemorates every Isakawarsa. This Hindu tradition is when the Balinese people celebrate the New Year. The New Year is celebrated the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox – when day and night are the same length as each other. This year, Nyepi falls on the 25th March 2020. Balinese people celebrate by taking a day of silence, fasting and meditating. This means that shops are closed, you can’t turn on your lights or light a candle, and there is no traffic on the roads.

Independence Day is a national holiday that celebrates the anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence, which happened on the 17th August 1945. Join in the celebrations by attending a flag ceremony, where locals decorate their houses and streets with red and white ornaments, sing national anthems and pray for the late national heroes. After the flag ceremonies, you can get involved with the competitions that take place, such as kerupuk (cracker) eating, climbing palm trees greased with oil, sack races and many other games. The competitions and games are fun but also serve as a reminder of the time before independence.

The annual Bau Nyale Fishing Festival is held in February/March. This exciting not to be missed event takes place on Lombok Island and involves watching the Nyale sea worms at the first light of day. The Nyale sea worms can only be seen once a year and are thought to bring good fortune, especially for those who manage to catch them. Other activities during the festival include surfing competitions, photography contests and plenty of delicious food to try.

Join in the celebrations at the Jalan Jaksa Festival, which is held in July/August. Try your hand at the batik making workshops or involve yourself in the traditional dancing that journeys from Kalimantan to Sumatra. Sample some of the secret recipes which were passed down by indigenous Jakarta families and enjoy conversing with the locals and learning about their lives. 

Creative folk should get involved in the Bali Arts Festival, which happens in June/July in Bali. This lively cultural festival consists of a month of daily exhibitions, performances and various art activities for you to try. Watch some of the impressive dances, listen to the music and talk to local artists about their masterpieces.

Indonesian Satay is available in most restaurants and street stalls. This delicious, national dish is one of Indonesia’s most celebrated foods and it’s easy to see why. These meat skewers are cooked over hot coals and deliver a juicy, satisfying flavour and texture. Indonesian satay is often served with ketupat (rice cakes) and topped with peanut sauce, to bring out more flavour in the meat.

For those with a sweet tooth, try the Sweet Martabak. Similar to a pancake, this tasty dessert can be filled with a topping of your choice, whether it’s chocolate, cheese or peanuts. Sweet Martabak is only available in the evenings though.