Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and Deputy Governor Rano Karno attended the 2026 Jakarta Lunar New Year Festival at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout on Friday (13/2) night. On the same occasion, they also reviewed preparations for the 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations in the SCBD area, South Jakarta.
Governor Pramono stated that the 2026 Jakarta Lunar New Year Festival reflects the Jakarta Government’s commitment to fostering diversity and strengthening tolerance among religious communities in the capital.
“Jakarta is an inclusive city, a global city, and a city for everyone. All religions officially recognized by the government, including Lunar New Year celebrations, are celebrated together in Jakarta,” he said.
Governor Pramono further emphasized that the Chinese community has made a significant contribution to the formation of Betawi culture, highlighting cultural acculturation as one of Jakarta’s key strengths as a diverse city.
“The Chinese community has contributed greatly to Betawi traditions. This acculturation is what makes Jakarta a colorful city, as reflected in its customs, culture, and social life,” he added.
Governor Pramono also expressed his appreciation for the Jakarta Lunar New Year Symphony performance, which featured a colossal ensemble of approximately 50 Chinese musical instruments and involved various cross-cultural communities. He highlighted the participation of Javanese, Betawi, and Sundanese communities performing songs in Mandarin as a tangible symbol of harmony in diversity.
The Jakarta Lunar New Year Festival at the HI Roundabout will take place from February 13 to 17, 2026. The event will feature 3D lanterns representing the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, a Harmony Lantern Walk, a Harmony Light LED pagoda, God of Fortune Cai Sen Ye, liong dances, a barongsai parade, and laser shows.
In addition, the Jakarta Government has prepared a series of other Lunar New Year celebrations in 2026, including the Jakarta Lunar New Year Decoration Competition. The competition will involve approximately 98 buildings and will run until February 17, 2026. This initiative is expected to enhance the city’s aesthetics while bringing the Lunar New Year atmosphere to various corners of Jakarta.
The next series of events includes the Jakarta Chinatown Festival, scheduled to take place from February 15 to 17, 2026, at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) Pavilion; Harmoni Jakarta powered by Jakarta City Branding, which will be held from February 15 to 17, 2026, at Blok M Hub; and the National Lunar New Year Celebration, featuring video mapping in the National Monument (Monas) area.
Furthermore, the Jakarta Light Festival Chinese New Year Edition will be held from February 16 to 17, 2026, in Kota Tua, Jakarta. The Jakarta Government is also organizing the Jakarta Temple Festival, involving temples across Jakarta to further showcase the festive spirit of Lunar New Year celebrations. The series of events will culminate in the Cap Go Meh Festival on March 3, 2026, in the Glodok Chinatown area. These events are the result of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Jakarta Government, regionally owned enterprises, the central government, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector.
“All of these activities are made possible through the collaboration of all parties involved. This reflects the spirit of cooperation in presenting a vibrant and inclusive Lunar New Year celebration in Jakarta,” said Governor Pramono.
Meanwhile, after reviewing preparations for the building decoration competition in the SCBD area, Deputy Governor Rano Karno explained that the Lunar New Year Decoration Competition is part of the Jakarta Government’s efforts to enhance urban aesthetics and strengthen tolerance.
“We are organizing a Lunar New Year Decoration Competition by involving building managers. This initiative aims to enhance the beauty and aesthetics of pedestrian areas while strengthening harmony in diversity through the inseparable acculturation of Lunar and Betawi cultures,” he explained.
Deputy Governor Rano added that the installation period and the Lunar New Year Decoration Competition will take place from January 19 to February 17, 2026, with judging scheduled for February 12 and 17, 2026. This initiative is expected to further highlight Jakarta as a melting pot of harmony and diversity, as reflected in the SCBD area and other parts of the capital.
