Jousting, bareback horse riding and spear-throwing contests feature at this annual festival held on the island of Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara. This exciting event showcases the skill and bravery of local tribesmen and is practiced to honour the island’s ancestral spirits and ensure a bountiful harvest for the year.

Nyepi is the Balinese Day of Silence, marking the start of the Hindu New Year. It is a day dedicated to reflection, meditation and self-purification, during which people refrain from all worldly activities and turn off lights and sounds to observe a period of complete silence. The day before Nyepi, a grand procession of ogoh-ogoh statues, representing evil spirits, culminates in a bonfire.

Also known as Lebaran, this event marks the end of Ramadan and is the largest Muslim celebration in Indonesia, with festivities spanning two days. It is a time to focus on forgiveness and charity, and many Indonesians return to their hometowns to enjoy special festive dishes and elaborate meals with their families.

Celebrating the triumph of good over evil, this 10-day festival is one of the most significant events on the 210-day Balinese calendar. It is a joyous occasion when people don their finest traditional attire and honour the spirits of their ancestors with prayers, ceremonies and delicious Balinese food. The first day of the event is called Galungan and the final day is known as Kuningan.

This Buddhist festival marks the life, death and enlightenment of Buddha. Thousands of monks and pilgrims participate in a procession leading from Mendut to Pawon and culminating at Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist monument. Traditional ceremonies are held at all three Buddhist sites.

This month-long event celebrates Bali’s rich traditional and creative arts culture. Daily exhibitions, performances and art-themed activities take place across the island, with the Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Centre in Denpasar showcasing the work of local artists. Outdoor stages are set up to host dance, puppetry and musical performances, bringing Bali’s vibrant culture to life.

A sacred tradition of the Tenggerese people, this spiritual ritual takes place at Mount Bromo, an active volcano in East Java. Each year, people from the nearby villages gather to give thanks for a year of good health and prosperity. Offerings of rice, vegetables, fruits and local produce are made to the God of the Mountain in a vibrant display of devotion and respect.

Various tribes from the highlands of Wamena and the Baliem Valley, including the Dani, Lani and Yali, come together for this unique annual event. The festival features traditional dances, cultural performances and re-enactments of local war legends. Over two days, 26 groups of 30-50 fighters perform battle scenes, accompanied by the traditional sounds of the pikon, a Papuan wooden instrument.

This day marks Indonesia’s declaration of independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. A grand parade is held in Jakarta, while flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances, and various activities take place in communities nationwide. It is a patriotic celebration of Indonesia’s heritage, unity and national pride, with people from all walks of life coming together to honor their nation’s history.

An adrenaline-pumping event, this international MotoGP takes place on a 4.3-km track that highlights the island’s tropical views. Combined with sports and cultural entertainment, the surrounding beaches and natural scenery of Lombok make it a captivating spectacle for visitors.