You should certainly take some public holidays into account.
Indonesia consists of many different people with different beliefs. All the different backgrounds are taken into account and therefore Indonesia has many official holidays. Traveling on a public holiday can be difficult, but it can also be a special experience.
The most important fixed holidays are:
- On January 1, New Year’s Day
- On August 17, Independence Day
- on December 25, Christmas
There are also many public holidays that occur on a different date each year.
In 2025 these holidays are:
Idul Fitri
- On March 31st and the 1st of April 2025 Idul Fitri; the celebration at the end of Ramadan (the Ramadan is 28 February – 30 March 2025)
Almost everything is closed on Java. Everyone has a day off.
Read more about the Ramadan >>>
Waisak
- On May 12th 2025 Hari Raya Waisak; the Buddhist new year.
The Borobudur is closed and the hotels at the Borobudur are quite full and expensive. There are, however, interesting festivities around the Borobudur temples.
It is also busy at the Bromo.
Waisak is one of the most important Buddhist holidays. Every year it is celebrated on the first full moon in May. This festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. 
The Meaning of Waisak
Idul Adha
- On June 7th, 2025 Hari Raya Idul Adha; the Islamic sacrifice festival. The date of Idul Adha is determined by the position of the moon.
The kraton (the Royal Palace in Yogyakarta) is closed.
This holiday commemorates Ibrahim (Abraham) who was willing to sacrifice his son for God. In honor of Ibrahim, sheep, goats, and cows are slaughtered and the meat is shared with family and friends and distributed to the poor. This festival is a reminder that sometimes you have to be willing to make sacrifices to achieve your goals.The meaning of Idul Adha
At the Bromo:
- On March 29th, 2025, hari Nyepi;
The Bromo is closed.
- The Kasada Festival 6 and 7 July 2025
The local Tengger population sacrifices to the Bromo. This yearly event attracts many tourists.
On Bali:
Nyepi
- On March 28th, 2025, New Year’s Eve in Bali: Ogoh-Ogoh
Parades and a lot of sound on the streets (with traffic jams). - On March 29th, 2025, Hari Raya Nyepi; Day of silence and reflection.
Everyone has to stay inside (tourists as well) with the lights out, everything is closed, even the airport (except for medical emergencies).
The day of silence and self-reflection begins at 6:00 in the morning and lasts 24 hours. It is the first day of the Hindu year. – The lights remain off Because there is nothing to hear or see on this day, the evil spirits will not notice the island and will pass Bali. Mekiyis, Meki of Melasti Ogoh-Ogoh Ngembak GeniThe meaning of Nyepi
– No work is done
– There are no activities
– People stay indoors
On the one hand, it seems terribly boring to spend a whole day in the hotel, but more and more tourists find it interesting to stay in Bali during Nyepi and experience the ceremonies up close:
Two days before Nyepi, the statues from the temples are brought to the beach to be purified and cleaned. This is a special event.
The evening before Nyepi the event Ogoh-Ogoh takes place. The spirits are chased away by processions with mascots (which represent evil spirits) and by making a lot of noise. This event is one big party.
The day after Nyepi there are several rituals to ask forgiveness for the sins of the previous year and to start the new year clean and positive.
Galungan and Kuningan
- Galungan on April 23th and November 19th, 2025
Almost everything is closed. - Kuningan on May 3th and November 29th 5th, 2025
Almost everything is closed.
During Galungan, the spirits of the ancestors return to earth to visit their family and former place of residence. In every village and town, the residents welcome their ancestors and visit the temples in beautiful traditional clothing. The streets are decorated with “penjor”, the curved bamboo poles with offerings at the end. During Galungan and Kuningan, many shops and attractions are closed. It is a unique opportunity to experience the beautiful culture and ceremonies up close.
The Meaning of Galungan and Kuningan
Exactly 10 days after Galungan, it is Kuningan. On this day, the spirits of the ancestors leave for the afterlife.
2026
Hari Raya Idul Fitri
20 March and 21 March 2026 (Ramadan 17 February- 19 March 2026)
Hari Raya Waisak
31 May 2026
Hari Raya Idul Adha
27 May 2026
Hari Nyepi
19 March 2026
Kasada Festival
? July 2026
Galungan
17 June 2026
Kuningan
27 June 2026