In Indonesia, Chinese New Year is known as 'Imlek' and has become a popular holiday celebrated by all Indonesians, not just the estimated 2.8 million Indonesians of Chinese descent. Previously, under President Soeharto’s New Order regime, Chinese New Year was banned from being celebrated openly. Indonesia Public Holidays 2025. Chinese New Year Holiday: 29 Jan: Wed: Chinese New Year: 28 Mar: Fri: Bali Hindu New Year Holiday: 29 Mar: Sat: Bali Hindu New Prior to the Chinese New Year celebrations, many markets near large Chinese communities in Indonesia will open. These markets often sell fireworks, clothing, toys, and gifts. It is a common practice for Chinese people to give their friends and family members gifts during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Upcoming holidays in Indonesia. Holidays in Indonesia 2025. Holidays in Indonesia 2026. Is Chinese New Year Joint Holiday a Public Holiday? Yes. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Indonesia National Holidays and Collective Leave Days 2025. Chinese New Year. 29 March. Saturday. Nyepi Day. 31 March. Monday. Eid al-Fitr 1446 H. 1 April. Tuesday. “As young Chinese Indonesians, we should be grateful for Chinese New Year [celebrations]. Before, it was not allowed. We had to skip school to celebrate because it wasn’t a public holiday,” Candra adds. Lunar New Year was only established as a national holiday by President Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid in 2001, during the reformation era. TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chinese New Year celebrations have been officially designated as a national holiday since January 19, 2001, through Decree No. 13/2001 concerning the determination of Chinese New Year as a Optional National Holiday, issued by the Indonesian Minister of Religion. Optional holidays Imlek is the time for family gatherings and wishes for good health and prosperity. One of the Chinese Indonesian traditions on Chinese New Year's Eve is to have a family dinner. Some continue the festive by praying in the temple. On New Year's Day, the younger family members visit their parents and elders to greet them. Indonesia observes 15 public holidays each year. The most recent holiday in Indonesia is Laylat al-Mi'raj ( Public Holiday ), observed in 2 days on 27 January 2025 . Public Holidays are official days off recognized by the government. Chinese New Year, known as Imlek in Indonesia, is a significant cultural celebration for the country’s Chinese community. With millions of ethnic Chinese citizens, the festivities blend traditional customs with local influences, offering a vibrant showcase of cultural heritage. Summary; The Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar new year, which occurs sometime between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is considered one of China’s most important celebrations, with each year being named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Holidays in Indonesia 2026. Lunar New Year is the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. Every year is represented by a zodiac animal sign. Is Chinese New Year's Day a Public Holiday? Chinese New Year's Day is a public holiday. The ethnic Chinese community in Indonesia celebrates the Chinese New Year with age-old traditions passed down from their ancestors. Yet things take on an Indonesian flair as well, with differences found across the archipelago depending on the area the local Chinese immigrants originated from. The Indonesian Chinese population primarily descends from southern Chinese immigrants, and Chinese New Year became a national holiday in 2002. In Indonesia, Chinese New Year is often referred to as 'Imlek', adapting the term from Hokkien language. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, holds a special place in the hearts of the Indonesian-Chinese community. As one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Indonesia, it symbolizes the beginning of the new lunar year and is a time for family reunions, festive decorations, and cultural performances. The Chinese New Year, which falls on Wednesday, January 29, coincides with the country’s rainy season, a period often associated with downpours during the holiday. BMKG highlighted that the eastern regions of Indonesia are still in the peak of the rainy season, which is expected to last until February. The Chinese New Year celebration is a real event here in Bali. It’s an official public holiday (check out our list of the public holidays in Bali) and that means there’s plenty of time to indulge in a Chinese New Year breakfast or a delicious Chinese set menu and some timeless Chinese songs during the traditional lunar New Year period. Chinese New Year Celebrations Lantern Festivals. Chinese New Year, celebrated mainly by the Chinese-Indonesian community, brings vibrant festivities full of color and tradition. The main highlight is the lantern festival, where beautifully crafted lanterns are released to the sky for hopes of prosperity and good fortune. Traditional Foods and On 10th Feb, this year, the Chinese community in Indonesia will celebrate Chinese New Year or Imlek as it is commonly called. In China the holiday is also known as Spring Festival and is the most important traditional Chinese holiday. Ten years ago Chinese New Year was made an official public holiday in Indonesia. Holidays in Indonesia 2026. Lunar New Year is the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. Every year is represented by a zodiac animal sign. Is Chinese New Year's Day a Public Holiday? Chinese New Year's Day is a public holiday.
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