December is one of the busiest months for travel in Indonesia. The country enters the Christmas and New Year holiday period, while Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, Lombok and other destinations host major music, cultural, sporting and culinary events.
Explore Indonesia events in December, including concerts, cultural festivals, motorsport, films, food and year-end celebrations.
Indonesia Events in December 2026
Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival — November 29–December 6
Yogyakarta
The Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF) returns to Yogyakarta for its 21st edition in 2026. The international film festival focuses on Asian cinema and combines film screenings with special programs, discussions and industry events.
Dates: November 29–December 6, 2026
Location: Yogyakarta
Type: Film & culture
If you are visiting Yogyakarta at the beginning of December, JAFF is an interesting way to experience the city beyond its temples and traditional attractions.
Film screenings are generally ticketed, either per session or as a festival pass, while some industry programs are invitation-only or need separate registration.
Read more: Java Travel Guide and Jakarta to Yogyakarta.
Festival Tumbe — December 1–4
Banggai Laut, Central Sulawesi
Festival Tumbe is one of Indonesia’s more unusual cultural events. It celebrates the traditional Malabot Tumbe ceremony, when the first Maleo bird eggs are ceremonially delivered by the Batui indigenous community to the Banggai royal palace.
The four-day event combines traditional ceremonies, sailing, cultural performances, competitions and local food and craft activities.
Dates: December 1–4, 2026
Location: Banggai Laut Regency, Central Sulawesi
Admission: Free
Bagak Marnatal Festival — December 2026 (date TBC)
Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra
Bagak Marnatal is a one-day Christmas-season parade and cultural celebration in North Sumatra, not a month-long event. It is designed as an inclusive Christmas celebration while also supporting local tourism and the regional economy.
Dates: December 2026, exact date not yet published (the most recent, 4th edition was held on December 13, 2025)
Location: Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra
Admission: Free
The official 2026 date had not been announced when this calendar was checked, so travelers should confirm the exact day with the local tourism office before visiting.
Festival Salib Kasih — December 1–31
Tapanuli Utara, North Sumatra
Festival Salib Kasih takes place at Salib Kasih, one of North Sumatra’s religious tourism destinations. The annual event combines religious celebrations with cultural activities and local tourism programming.
Dates: December 1–31, 2026
Location: Tapanuli Utara, North Sumatra
Admission: Free
The official tourism calendar currently lists the event for the entire month, with the detailed daily program still to be announced.
Jakarta Coffee Week — December 4–6
ICE BSD, Tangerang, Greater Jakarta
Jakarta Coffee Week is one of Indonesia’s major coffee events, bringing together Indonesian and international coffee brands, roasters, baristas, café owners and coffee enthusiasts.
The 2026 edition will feature coffee products, education sessions, competitions, new product launches and collaborations.
Dates: December 4–6, 2026
Location: Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE BSD), Tangerang Selatan
Type: Food & coffee festival
It is a good option for travelers interested in Indonesia’s rapidly developing specialty coffee scene.
FIA Rallycross World Cup Indonesia — December 5–6
Jakarta
Indonesia will host the FIA Rallycross World Cup at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit in Ancol. The event combines asphalt and gravel sections, creating a much faster and more aggressive racing format than traditional circuit racing.
Dates: December 5–6, 2026
Location: Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit, Ancol
Ticket price: From IDR 150,000
For motorsport fans, this is one of the most unusual international sporting events on Indonesia’s December calendar.
The track is roughly 60% tarmac and 40% gravel, and the RX1 and RX5 titles are decided over the one event. Tickets are sold online through loket.com, and the program also includes live music, a culinary bazaar and an automotive technology exhibition.
5 Seconds of Summer — December 6
Jakarta
Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer will return to Indonesia as part of the Everyone’s A Star! World Tour. The Jakarta concert is scheduled at Indonesia Arena in the Gelora Bung Karno complex.
Date: December 6, 2026
Location: Indonesia Arena, Jakarta
Type: International concert
The Jakarta stop is part of the band’s wider world tour and follows their November 14 performance in the city.
DWP 2026 — December 11–13
Jakarta
Djakarta Warehouse Project returns to Jakarta in December 2026. One of Asia’s best-known electronic music festivals, DWP brings international DJs and electronic artists together for a three-day event.
Dates: December 11–13, 2026
Location: Jakarta
Ticket price: From IDR 1,700,000
The organizer’s ticket page lists three-day passes from IDR 1,700,000 for general admission with early entry before 6 p.m., IDR 1,900,000 for general admission presale and IDR 3,900,000 for VIP presale. Announced names include Afrojack, Alok, Axwell B2B Sebastian Ingrosso, Cosmic Gate, Dimitri Vegas and ARTBAT. The official pages do not name a specific venue, so confirm it before booking accommodation; the organizer sells hotel packages in the Kemayoran area.
Festival Jegog — November 2026 (date TBC)
Jembrana, Bali
Festival Jegog celebrates one of western Bali’s most distinctive traditional musical forms. Jegog is a style of Balinese music traditionally performed using large bamboo instruments and is strongly associated with Jembrana.
Date: November 2026 (exact date not yet published)
Location: Jembrana, Bali
Type: Cultural festival
The Bali provincial events calendar lists the Jembrana Jegog Festival for November 2026, not December, and the exact dates have not yet been published.
Travelers exploring western Bali can combine the event with a wider trip around the region.
Tumpek Uduh — December 19
Bali
Tumpek Uduh, also known as Tumpek Wariga, is a Balinese Hindu ceremony honoring plants and the natural world. Offerings are made to Dewa Sangkara, the manifestation associated with plants and fertility.
Date: December 19, 2026
Location: Bali
Type: Balinese Hindu ceremony
This is not a conventional tourist festival, but visitors in Bali during this period may encounter ceremonies and offerings connected with Tumpek Uduh. Travelers should observe local customs and avoid interfering with religious rituals.
Christmas in Indonesia — December 25
Nationwide
Christmas Day (Friday, December 25) is a national holiday in Indonesia, and Thursday, December 24 is a collective leave day, so many workers get a four-day weekend through Sunday, December 27. The season is particularly visible in major tourist destinations such as Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta and parts of North Sulawesi and Flores.
Hotels, resorts and restaurants in major tourist areas usually organize Christmas dinners, parties and special events. In Bali, Christmas is especially noticeable in areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua and Ubud.
Travelers visiting Indonesia around Christmas should book accommodation and popular restaurants well in advance, especially if staying in Bali.
BTS “ARIRANG” World Tour — December 26, 27 & 29
Jakarta
BTS will bring its ARIRANG World Tour to Jakarta for three stadium shows at Gelora Bung Karno. The concerts mark the group’s first full-group Indonesia performances in nine years.
Dates: December 26, 27 & 29, 2026
Location: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Ticket price: From IDR 1,800,000
Status: Sold out
The concerts are expected to make Jakarta particularly busy during the final week of December, so travelers staying in central Jakarta should expect increased demand for hotels and transport around the GBK area.
The stage is a 360-degree open design, so views differ by section, and seats are reserved and assigned automatically. Tiket.com is the official ticketing partner, and e-vouchers and seat details appear in its app.
For a wider Jakarta trip, see our Jakarta for First-Time Visitors, Jakarta Travel Guide and Best Areas to Stay in Jakarta.
Denpasar Festival — Late December
Denpasar, Bali
Denpasar Festival is the capital’s major year-end celebration, bringing together Balinese culture, traditional performances, music, food, creative industries, community activities and local products.
Date: Late December 2026
Location: Denpasar, Bali
Type: Culture, food & entertainment
The Denpasar Tourism Office confirms the festival as a year-end event, but the detailed 2026 dates had not yet been published when this calendar was checked.
Lovely December — December 2026
Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Lovely December is a Christmas-season celebration in Tana Toraja combining religious traditions with local culture, traditional performances, handicrafts and culinary events.
Date: December 2026
Location: Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Type: Cultural & Christmas festival
The event is particularly interesting for travelers who want to experience Toraja culture during the Christmas season. The detailed 2026 schedule should be checked locally before planning a trip specifically around the festival.
Pandawa Beach Festival — December (date TBC)
Pandawa Beach, Bali
Pandawa Beach Festival is an annual year-end celebration at one of southern Bali’s most scenic beaches. The event combines cultural performances, music and entertainment with the beach setting.
Date: December 2026 (exact date not yet published)
Location: Pandawa Beach, South Bali
Type: Beach & cultural festival
The Bali provincial events calendar lists the event for December 2026 without a specific day. Travelers staying in southern Bali can combine it with visits to the surrounding beaches and attractions.
Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival — December 2026
Bali
Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival is listed among Bali’s 2026 December events and focuses on live rock and blues music, with performances, food, creative-market activities and local community participation.
Date: December 2026
Location: Bali
Type: Music festival
The exact 2026 dates and venue had not yet been published, so this event should be treated as date TBC for now.
New Year’s Eve in Bali — December 31
Bali
December 31 is one of the busiest nights of the year in Bali. Beach clubs, hotels, restaurants and resorts across Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua and Ubud organize special dinners, parties and countdown events.
Friday, January 1, 2027 is a national holiday, so the celebrations run into a long weekend. Travelers planning to spend New Year’s Eve in Bali should book accommodation early and expect higher prices and heavier traffic than during the rest of December.
For accommodation planning, see our Where to Stay in Bali, Ultimate Bali Hotels by Area and Bali Airport Hotels.
Indonesia Events in December: At a Glance
| Event | Date | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAFF | Nov 29–Dec 6 | Yogyakarta | Film & Culture |
| Festival Tumbe | Dec 1–4 | Banggai Laut | Culture |
| Jakarta Coffee Week | Dec 4–6 | Greater Jakarta | Food & Coffee |
| FIA Rallycross World Cup | Dec 5–6 | Jakarta | Motorsport |
| 5 Seconds of Summer | Dec 6 | Jakarta | Concert |
| DWP 2026 | Dec 11–13 | Jakarta | Music Festival |
| Festival Jegog | November (date TBC) | Jembrana, Bali | Culture |
| Tumpek Uduh | Dec 19 | Bali | Culture |
| Pandawa Beach Festival | December (date TBC) | Bali | Beach Festival |
| BTS ARIRANG World Tour | Dec 26, 27 & 29 | Jakarta | Concert |
| Denpasar Festival | Late December | Denpasar, Bali | Culture & Entertainment |
| Lovely December | December | Tana Toraja | Culture |
| Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival | December | Bali | Music |
| New Year’s Eve | Dec 31 | Nationwide | Celebration |
Where to Travel in Indonesia in December for Events
Indonesia in December offers cultural events alongside concerts and year-end celebrations. Jakarta has the strongest concentration of international concerts and large-scale events, while Bali offers a mixture of cultural celebrations and year-end beach events.
Yogyakarta is worth considering at the beginning of the month for JAFF, while travelers looking for a more unusual cultural experience can head to Tana Toraja or Central Sulawesi.
Keep in mind that December is part of Indonesia’s rainy season in many regions. Weather can affect boat trips, outdoor events and domestic transportation, so flexible plans are useful.
Important Tips for Indonesia Events in December
The period around Christmas and New Year’s Eve is significantly busier than the beginning of December. Bali, Jakarta and other major destinations can experience higher hotel prices, heavier traffic and increased demand for domestic flights and ferries.
If you are choosing where to travel in Indonesia in December, book major transport and accommodation ahead of the holiday period.
Browse Other Months
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- Indonesia Events in November 2026
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