1. School Holidays (2023) in Indonesia

School Holidays (2023) in Indonesia

Published on 13 Feb 2023
Guide

Public Holidays in Indonesia 2021

1 January (Sun): New Year’s Day

22 - 23 January (Sun-Mon): Chinese New Year

18 February (Sat): Isra Mi'raj 

22  - 23 March (Wed - Thurs): Bali Hindu New Year

7 April (Fri): Good Friday 

21 April (Fri): Lebaran Holiday 

22 April (Sat): Hari Raya Idul Firtri 

23 - 26 April (Sun-Wed): Lebaran Holiday 

1 May (Mon): Labour Day 

18 May (Thu): Ascension Day 

1 June (Thu): Pancasila Day 

2 June (Fri): Waisak Day Holiday 

4 June (Sun): Waisak Day 

29 June (Thu): Idul Adha

19 July (Wed): Islamic New Year 

17 August (Thur): Independence Day 

28 September (Thur): Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 

25 December (Mon): Christmas Day 

26 December (Tue): Christmas holiday 

 

Meaning of each holiday 

22 - 23 January: Chinese New Year 

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year is a public holiday in many countries across East Asia. Chinese Lunar Year usually takes place at sunset on the day of the second New Moon following the winter solstice, which takes place on the 21 December. The Lunar New Year can fall on any day between 21 January until 21 February.

 

18 February: Isra’ Mi’raj

It is also known as The Prophet's Ascension or the Night Journey. It is celebrated on the 27th day of Rajab, which is the seventh month in the Islamic calendar. It celebrates Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) trip from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven. According to Islamic beliefs, it happened around the year 621.

 

22 - 23 March: Bali Hindu New Year 

Bali Hindu New Year or also known as Nyepi  is a day when the island of Bali turns off all lights and sounds, stops all traffic, desserts all worldly activities, and meditates while complete silence and serenity reign over the entire island.

 

18 May: Ascension Day

Ascension Day falls on the 39th day after Easter Sunday. It actually commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. This day is also recognised by many as The Feast of the Ascension, The Ascension of Jesus, Ascension Thursday or Holy Thursday.

 

22 April: Idul Fitri

Idul Fitri is also known as Hari Raya Puasa. Muslims fast for a whole month from the first day of Ramadhan. The date of the first day of Ramadhan differs each year as the Islamic and Gregorian calendar moves differently. Muslims fast as an act of worship and to develop compassion for people in need. Fasting also teaches individuals to learn to be patient and to also break their bad habits. 

Indonesia also gives their people additional days off to celebrate and calls it "Lebaran Day".

 

4 June: Buddha Day

Waisak Day is also known as Buddha Day and is celebrated by Buddhists, which they consider as one of the holiest days in the Buddhist Calendar. Buddha Day commemorates Lord Gautama Buddha's birthday, his enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana. It usually falls on the Sunday that is nearest to the full moon in May. Sometimes the date may differ in each country celebrating. 

 

1 June: Pancasila Day

Pancasila Day celebrates the birthday of the state ideology of Indonesia, which is known as Pancasila. The ideology was introduced by President Sukarno, who happened to be the first president and the founding father of Indonesia. The ideology consists of five principles, which coincides with the meaning of Pancasila. 

 

29 June: Feast of Sacrifice

The Feast of Sacrifice is also known as Eid al-Adha, Hari Raya Haji, Idul Adha, and many others. This celebration is more significant compared to Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidilfitri as it actually lasts for four days. The Feast of Sacrifice is to celebrate the Prophet Abraham's sacrifice for God.

 

19 July : Islamic New Year

This holiday is known as Awal Muharram or Hijri New Year. Muslims commemorate two events on this day: the first event is the mark of a new year in the Muslim calendar while the other is in remembrance of the first time the historic travel from Mecca to Medina took place.

 

17 August: Independence Day

On this day in 1945, Indonesia declared independence from the Netherlands. Before that, Indonesia had been a Dutch colony for 300 years. Therefore, Indonesian nationals come together on this day to celebrate independence from being colonised. 

 

28 September: Prophet’s Birthday

Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Birthday is also known as 'Milad un Nabi' or Maulidur Rasul. Muslims across the world celebrate the birthday of the last Muslim prophet who was the proclaimer of the Qurʾan a central religious text of Islam.

 

Indonesia School Year Calendar and term dates 

Generally, the Indonesia school year begins in July and ends the following June. In between that, there are three periods of school holidays. The first break begins in the second half of December to the first of January while the second break, known as Lebaran Holidays takes place in May for almost two weeks. The final school year end break takes place at the end of June and lasts for about two weeks before the new school year begins. These dates also might vary for different schools and regions in Indonesia. For more information, you can check the academic calendar on the school websites.

 

References

  1. https://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays2021/indonesia.htm
  2. https://www.kemenkopmk.go.id/sites/default/files/pengumuman/2022-10/SKB%20LibNas%20dan%20CuBer%202023_0.pdf 

 

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