The annual Eid Holiday, in which most Indonesians return to their hometowns, leaves Jakarta’s streets empty for several days but also makes its malls and tourist attractions more packed than usual. But don’t let the latter hold back from exploring the city — with the usual terrible traffic gone, it’s a great time to check out some of the capital’s unique attractions.
Here’s a list of our recommended events or places to check out this upcoming Eid. For lots more recommendations on fun things to do and tasty things to eat in Jakarta, be sure to check out our food & drink and lifestyle sections.
Shop and play at the Jakarta Fair
The annual Jakarta Fair (Pekan Raya Jakarta or PRJ) is celebrating the 492nd birthday of the Indonesian capital this year. There are many activities for the whole family to choose from: food markets, a traditional Betawi food bazaar, children playgrounds, live music performances, special promos from over 2,500 participating tenants and much more. The Jakarta Fair is open even throughout the three days of Eid (with adjusted opening hours), and you can reach the venue via public transportation including the KRL Commuterline (get off at Jakarta Kota or Rajawali railway station, continue by taxi or ride-sharing app) or using the special TransJakarta route below.
Hari ini sahabat TiJe yang ingin datang ke Pekan Raya Jakarta (@JakartaFairID) dapat menggunakan rute PRJ1, PRJ2, dan PRJ3. Jadwal operasional dan titik pemberhentian dapat dilihat pada peta atau unduh TiJeKu sekarang. pic.twitter.com/ppzR5DN3HO
— Transportasi Jakarta (@PT_Transjakarta) May 23, 2019
The Jakarta Fair is currently running until June 30 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. IDR 40,000/person during national holidays and weekends.
Laut Kita exhibition by Sejauh Mata Memandang
After some retail therapy at Plaza Indonesia, swing by the Laut Kita (Our Ocean) exhibition, organized by local fashion brand Sejauh Mata Memandang. This highly Instagrammable exhibition is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of plastic waste, especially towards our oceans. Sejauh Mata Memandang also opens a booth at the exhibition, selling apparel, scarves and accessories featuring their iconic batik patterns, as well as natural handmade soaps and environmentally-friendly kit such as reusable shopping bags and cutlery. For every purchase at the booth, you’ll get a free bamboo straw and its cleaning brush.
Plaza Indonesia (next to Kitchenette on level 2). Exhibition runs until June 16. Free entry.
Heritage and culinary tour in Kota Tua and beyond
This holiday, why not play tourist in your own city? You can learn about the history of Jakarta through sightseeing and eating(!) throughout the Jakarta’s Old Town. There are many museums in the area, all housed in colonial era buildings, such as Fatahillah Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, and the Maritime Museum. Jakarta Kota railway station, one of the city’s main hubs and one of the most iconic Art Deco buildings in the city, was launched in 1929 and has been appointed as a historical and cultural landmark.
Read: Best museums in Jakarta: Where to find exhibitions on history, art, finance, crafts, and textiles
After you’ve gotten your fill of history, you can fill your belly in Glodok, the biggest Chinatown in Indonesia, located around 1-2 KMs from Kota Tua. Other than being famous for its electronic centers, there are many iconic culinary spots all over the neighborhood. There are three main areas in Glodok: Gang Gloria (Gloria Alley), Pancoran Street, and Petak Sembilan Street. Stop by the Pantjoran Tea House, one of the area’s landmarks; or go to Kopi Es Tak Kie, which has been around since 1927; try the refreshing Rujak Shanghai; or slurp the legendary noodle at Bakmi Amoy.
Exhibitions at Museum MACAN
There are currently several exhibitions running at Museum MACAN, and you can visit all of them by purchasing one pass. Dunia Dalam Berita (referring to a news program that has aired on TVRI since 1973) is an exhibition that features the work of 10 Indonesian artists reflecting on the influence of political upheavals both before and after Reformasi, or between the 19990s and the early 2000s. Head over to the Matter and Place exhibition to see installations by architect Andra Martin and Malaysian artist Shooshie Sulaiman; and prepare to be amazed inside Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room – Brilliance of the Souls.
Dunia Dalam Berita currently runs until July 21, but the museum will be closed from June 3-5. The exhibition packages are IDR100,000 (adult), IDR90,000 (student/senior), IDR80,000 (child). Tickets available on Museum MACAN’s website.
Visit the animals at Ragunan Zoo
Yes, it will be packed during the Eid Holiday, since it’s a popular spot for locals, but you can see a lot of animals in the 140-hectare zoo in the south of Jakarta. Afterall, it’s one of the oldest, and largest, zoos in the world, with over 3,000 animals and 200 species. There are endangered and threatened species from all over Indonesia, such as Sumatran tigers and komodo dragons. You can see gorillas and other primates in the Schmutzer Primate Center inside the zoo, and there’s an aviary center if you’re into birds.
Ragunan Zoo is easily accessible with cars through the Jakarta Outer Ring Road highway or TransJakarta corridor 6.
Music by the sea at Ancol
If you head up to North Jakarta’s seaside Ancol neighborhood, you can try the rides at Dunia Fantasi (Dufan) amusement park or enjoy various musical performance taking place at the beachfront recreation area from June 5-7, including an orchestra performance held on a floating stage at Lagoon Beach from 7pm-9pm. During the three days of Eid, several popular Indonesian singers will take to the stage including singer/Youtuber Anji, pop band Yovie & Nuno, and Once, the former frontman of rock band Dewa 19. Additionally, other music performances will be held there every weekend during the month of June.
Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk (Angke Kapuk Natural Reserve)
When you first arrive at Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk (Angke Kapuk Natural Reserve), you might start to wonder if you’re still in Jakarta at all. This mangrove forest is located in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta, and is suitable for those who want to seek a bit of refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city (plus, it’d be a cool addition to your Instagram feed).
Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk is accessible with TransJakarta corridor 1A (Balai Kota 1 – PIK). IDR 30,000 per person.
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