Indonesia to Mark 80th Independence Day With Carnival, Fireworks, and Drone Show

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Sunday, August 17, 2025, with a wide range of festivities in the capital, Jakarta, beyond the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

According to the State Secretariat’s official Instagram account, highlights will include a drone and fireworks show at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, one of Jakarta’s most iconic landmarks, starting at 9:30 p.m. local time.

Earlier in the evening, an Independence Carnival will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning at the National Monument (Monas) and stretching south to the Semanggi interchange. The parade will feature floats, cultural performances, and characters from Indonesian creative industries, alongside showcases from ministries, the military, police, and state-owned enterprises.

The government will also host a Pesta Rakyat, or People’s Festival, in several locations, including the Presidential Palace, Monas, and along Jakarta’s main Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfare. The festival will follow the morning Independence Day ceremony.

Events will include a night market, traditional “pojok” (corners) for retro-style photography, culinary festivals, and live entertainment stages. The palace celebration will welcome 16,000 invited guests, divided between morning and afternoon sessions.

1,054 dancers will participate in Presidential Palace

A grand celebration also will be held at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta, featuring more than a thousand dancers and performances by leading musicians.

The cultural showcase will be integrated into both the morning flag-raising ceremony and the evening flag-lowering event, bringing a vibrant display of Indonesia’s artistic heritage.

“The cultural performance at the Presidential Palace has once again become an inseparable part of celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The Tourism Ministry’s support is not only an expression of appreciation but also a commitment to preserving and promoting the nation’s cultural riches,” said Tourism Minister Widiyanti in a statement on Saturday.

A total of 1,054 dancers will participate, including:

• 200 traditional dancers from North Sulawesi
• 200 dancers from Lombok
• 100 pencak silat (Indonesian martial art) performers
• 170 dancers from Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi
• 384 dancers in a special presentation

In addition to the cultural program, well-known Indonesian artists will perform, including singers Cakra Khan, Isyana Sarasvati, Endah Laras, Rossa, Ruth Sahanaya, rock band Cokelat, and other national musicians.

“This is an epic collaboration involving more than a thousand dancers and some of Indonesia’s most renowned musicians. It’s not only entertainment, but also a window into the cultural richness and uniqueness of our nation,” Widiyanti said.

She expressed hope that the performances would spark greater pride in Indonesia’s cultural diversity and attract more tourists to the country.

“I hope their appearance will inspire love for Indonesia’s cultural heritage and become a tourism attraction that encourages visitors to come and experience our cultural treasures,” she added.

Beyond the palace grounds, the celebrations will continue with a Pesta Rakyat (People’s Festival) in Jakarta’s city center. Festivities will take place throughout the day and into the evening around the National Monument (Monas) and along the capital’s main Sudirman–Thamrin thoroughfare, featuring food stalls, cultural activities, and public entertainment.