Celebrating Indonesia: Festivals and Holidays Kids Will Love
Indonesia is home to more than 17,000 islands and hundreds of cultures—and that means lots of different celebrations! From honoring history to celebrating religion and harvest, Indonesian holidays are filled with joy, tradition, music, and food. Let’s explore some of the most important festivals and national holidays celebrated across the country.
Sekaten Fair – A Royal Celebration
Every year on February 15, people gather around the Kraton (the royal palace) in Yogyakarta to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. This festival is called Sekaten, and it’s full of exciting sights and sounds! There are colorful stalls selling toys and treats, fun games for children, and traditional music and dance performances. At the end of the celebration, there’s a special feast that brings good luck and wishes for a great harvest. It’s one of the most culturally rich and spiritual events in Indonesia.
Independence Day – A Nation Celebrates Freedom
August 17 is Indonesia’s Independence Day, and it’s the biggest national celebration of the year! On this day in 1945, Indonesia declared its independence after centuries of colonial rule. Now every year, there’s a flag-raising ceremony in the capital city of Jakarta, where the President gives a speech. Throughout the country, children take part in school parades, fun competitions like sack races and cracker-eating contests, and there are fireworks and festivals to honor freedom. It’s a lot like the Fourth of July in the United States!
New Year’s Day – A Quiet Start
While January 1st is officially New Year’s Day in Indonesia, it’s not as big of a holiday as others like Sekaten or Independence Day. Still, people may go to festivals, concerts, or fireworks shows, especially in bigger cities. Families might gather for dinner or go on vacation. It’s a time to say goodbye to the old year and make hopeful wishes for the new one!
Celebrating with Dinolingo
Learning about holidays is a great way to explore new cultures, and Dinolingo makes it even more fun. Through Dinolingo, children can learn Indonesian words about holidays, family gatherings, foods, and festivals. With interactive videos, songs, and games, kids ages 2 to 14 can enjoy language learning through fun cultural experiences. The program also offers offline activities, a parent dashboard, and rewards to keep young learners motivated.
Discover More Indonesian Holidays
Besides these three, Indonesia also celebrates many other important religious and regional holidays, such as Idul Fitri (marking the end of Ramadan), Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence), and Waisak (Buddha’s birthday). Each island and region has its own special events, music, foods, and traditions—making Indonesia a colorful and fascinating place for kids to discover.