December Events Galore: Spend your Year-End Holiday in Indonesia

During the  month of December, towards  the close of 2016. a gamut of  exciting events will be held across the Indonesian Archipelago to meet holiday needs.  From a race in the moonlight in Bintan to festive Christmas celebrations in Manado, electrifying musical shows, and grand New Year festivities in the big cities, watch the last sunset of the year and welcome the first sunrise of 2017, plus a whole lot more, this will definitely be the perfect time to experience some truly memorable events in Bali , Jakarta and other  Indonesian destinations.

So, get ready! Treat yourself to  some of the exciting events that will take place at fascinating places in Indonesia during the month of December.

1. Bintan Moon Run 2016 and Soundscape Music Festival, Bintan Island, 3rd December 2016

Set on the beautiful island of Bintan,  the Moon Run is not your everyday running race - expect to experience a moon lake run that will provide both competitive runners and their families a first of its kind night run that is fun, enlightening and engaging. What is more, after the run, continue to enjoy the music and fun at the Soundscape Music Concert.This electrifying music fiesta will feature the captivagint beat of DjWinky (WinkyWiryawan), Dj Yasmin, The Angels Percussions, Russia’s unmistakable “Don’t Ask Me Why”, and the fantastically popular Noah Band. 

2. Djakarta Warehouse Project, Jakarta, 9th–10th December 2016

Set to be staged at the Jakarta International Exhibition Center in the capital city of Jakarta, this electrifying music festival has expanded to become not only the biggest annual dance music festival in Indonesia but now also in Southeast Asia.  Last year the festival welcomed no less than 75,000 party goers from around the world, and this year even more are expected!Among the world’s renowned names in electronic music who will decorate the lineup are: Alan Walker, Blasterjaxx, Carl Cox, DJ Snake, G.T.A, Hardwell, KSHMR, Lost Frequencies, MaRLo, Martin Garrix, Rudimental, Snakehips, W&W, Yellow Claw, Yves V, Zedd, Destructo, and more.

3. End of Year Atambua Crossborder Festival 2016, Atambua, 10th December 2016

Set to take place in the capital of Belu Regency in the East Nusatenggara province, this Atambua Festival will be the finale to a series of Crossborder festivals already held here during 2016.The festival will feature a fabulous musical concert, a collaboration between artists from both Indonesia and Timor Leste. Among some names decorating the lineup are Indonesia’s prominent rock Band Jamrud, Kupang’s own artists H2K, as well as famous musicians from Atambua. Aside from pop music,the festival will also highlight traditional music and traditional dance performances from both countries.

4. Secret Garden Festival, Bali, 9th – 11th December 2016

On the fabulous island of Bali, the Secret garden Festival will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Secret Garden Village, a beautiful new tourist attraction located in Bedugul, Tabanan Regency, on the enchanting island of Bali. The festival will be highlighted by a limited dining event with Indonesian Pop singer Diva Rossa on 9th December, a Meet and Greet event with rising television star Natasha Wilona on 10th December, and an Art, Food, & Fashion Market on 11th December. While, as pinnacle will be a jazz music show on 11thDecember featuring some of Indonesia’s top musicians including Kla Project, Endah n Rhesa, Sound of Mine, DnA Project and Nosstress.

5. Grip The Road 2016: “Not Just a Run!”, Bali, 11th December 2016

Grip The Road, a special sporting event that combines running and Yoga will be held on 11thDecember 2016 at the Royal Tulip Saranam Resort & Spa Bali . This is the perfect opportunity to test your physical endurance in the 12K and 5K run at the highland of Baturirti and cooling it off with a Yoga session afterwards.

6. Bali Beach Run 2016, Bali, 11th December 2016

On Sunday, 11 December 2016, wake up  bright and early and join the most invigorating Bali Beach Run that starts from the Petitenget Beach all the way following  the beach side to the popular Kuta Beach, where you turn around back to the Petitenget Finishing point. There will be three categories to choose from depending on your stamina: the 10K (6.2 miles) Open Race, the 5K Fun Run and the 2.5K Family Run

7. Wakatobi Wave 2016, Wakatobi Islands, 15th-18th December 2016

Following the success of the BarataKaledupa Festival in September and Tomia Island Festival in November, This December, the spotlight will again turn to the mesmerizing beauty ofWakatobi Islands in Southeast Sulawesi Province when the annual Wakatobi Wonderful Festival and Expo or more familiarly known as Wakatobi Wave 2016 gets underway. The event will be centered at Wangi-wangi Island, one of the main islands of Wakatobi which in fact, is the abbreviation of the 4 names of the main islands: Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko.As in previous years, the festival will be highlighted with the traditional boat race, boat mast climbing, fishing, inland and underwater photography competitions, a beachside triathlon, and a whole lot more. 

By the way, Wings Air now  operates direct  daily flights from Makassar to Wakatobi to make it easy for divers and other ocean aficionados to plunge directly into the pristine waters of Wakatobi.

8. North Sulawesi December and Christmas Festival, Manado, 1st – 30th December 2016

Celebrating Christmas and welcoming New Year 2017, the province of North Sulawesi will come alive with a whole range of festivities for the whole month of December with the North Sulawesi Christmas Festival centered in the province capital city of Manado. The Decmeber festival will kick off with  the International Music Concert of Westlife’s Shane Fillan, Christmas Market, Vocal Group Competitions, Masamper Traditional Art Competition,  and continuing with Christmas Choirs, Santa Claus and Christmas Angels Parade,  and  closing with the Old & New Night,

9.       And, throughout Jakarta, Bali and other large cities, hotels are preparing  the most fabulous and  delicious Christmas Dinners for the whole family and special  New Year’s Eve parties to say Goodbye to 2016 – Thanks for the Memories, -  and Hello 2017! – may it bring Hope, Peace and Prosperity in the coming year.