Jakarta Night Festival : Welcome the New Year with Party and Style

The Jakarta Night Festival is an annual event held to welcome the New year in style and celebration. The Jakarta Culture and Tourism Agency will host the annual Jakarta Night Festival along Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin on 31st December with more than 100 performers who will take to 12 stages in different locations. If you wish to begin the New Year with endless excitement you can join the celebrations at the Jakarta Night Festival. All you have got to do is plan your stay at a hotel such as Alila Jakarta which will also gift you the best Hotel Rates Jakarta has to offer.

The Jakarta Night Festival which started in 2012 begins at 4 pm on 31st December and goes on until midnight. Generally the stages would be constructed starting from the National Monument (Monas) area to Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta so that it does not disrupt the mass rapid transit construction project. The celebrations will also be held at different locations, including at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol theme park in North Jakarta, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) cultural park in East Jakarta and the Old Town in West Jakarta. The cultural park would host a traditional puppet show to entertain visitors which will be held all night long. The Jakarta Night Festival would also feature small and medium enterprises that would display their products in designated tents. More than 150,000 people are expected to welcome the New Year at the park, which is set to brighten the sky with 4,000 fireworks located in three main spots. The main event, the countdown to the New Year, takes place at the roundabout, Bunderan of the Hotel Indonesia area which is located right in the center of Jakarta’s main avenue.

Partygoers who rely on public transportation can still take the commuter line as trains will operate as usual on New Year’s Eve. Plan out to welcome the next year at the Jakarta Night Festival which will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Jakarta International Jazz Festival – An international musical phenomenon

Considered the heart of Indonesia, Jakarta is a city known for being the cultural, economic and tourist hub of the country. The city exudes a fast paced, fluid and vibrant culture, incorporating the principles of its western counter parts to grow and retain its advanced stance in the modern world.

Alongside the desire to facilitate globalization of the country, the lifestyle of the community too changed drastically with the introduction of western influences. Among which, a sensation that has fast become a globally popular phenomenon, drawing thousands of locals and international viewers to one location is the Jakarta International Jazz Festival, an event founded by a jazz music enthusiast celebrating the universal love for music, specifically jazz among other musical genres. Though the festival venue shifts, it is always organized in a prime area of the city, whereby tourists on vacation who reside in any hotel, Central Jakarta such as the luxurious Alila Jakarta during this festival period, are just a short walk away from being awestruck by the amazing talents of Indonesian and international artists.

Initially held in 2005, this exhibition of various musical mediums has attracted a growing loyal following from all over the world making this festival one of the largest musical events in the world as well as undoubtedly ‘the largest music festival’ in the southern hemisphere of the world. Spread across the span of three days, the Jakarta International Jazz Festival kicks off with a series of pre event activities where some of the international and Indonesian artists perform at various hangout places such as malls, clubs and cafes. The artists use these opportunities to connect with the public through a musical medium and peak the interests of the observing music lovers thereby guaranteeing their attendance at the big event.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Shazzana Hamid is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary. Disguised as Lavinia Woolf she writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.

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Events and Festivals in Jakarta – Colourful Celebrations

The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta comes alive each year as a wide range of cultural festivals and events are celebrated in the city, each offering something new to experience. Those in search of a centrally located Jakarta hotel from which to explore the city and visit venues where these events will be held can consider staying at Alila Jakarta. This Jakarta city hotel not only makes an ideal base for leisure travellers, but corporate clientele too.

The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year is one not to be missed festival in the capital and those visiting during late January or February can look forward to everything from lion dances to dragon boat races. The Chinatown area (Glodok) in particular is well worth visiting. Those arriving in March can look forward to the Java Jazz Festival, while June is when the Festival Jalan Jaksa is held, where one can witness Betawi cultural shows amidst a street festival atmosphere. Also worth experiencing are the Independence Day celebrations held on August 17th which include a variety of parades that take place in front of the Presidential Palace.

 

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2014 – A Celebration of Music

If you love all things jazz or just enjoy listening to live music then the next time you plan to visit Jakarta look to coincide the trip with the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2014. Set to take place from February 28th to March 2nd, this popular event will be held at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) and visitors should look to find accommodation at a centrally located Jakarta city hotel. Alila Jakarta is one such Jakarta hotel and is ideally situated close to the Presidential Palace.

Inaugurated in 2005, the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival is a celebration of all things jazz and attracts a wide cross section of artistes from around the world. But it’s not just jazz which comes to the forefront at this event; everything from of RnB to mambo and reggae to ska can be experienced at the event which features cosy jam sessions too. The likes of George Benson, Kenny Garrett, Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder have all performed at past festivals adding to the allure of this jazz fest in the Indonesian capital.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Jakarta International Film Festival – a blockbuster spectacle

Those vacationing in Jakarta during the month of December would do well to make the Jakarta International Film Festival part of their itinerary. Acknowledged as the country’s premier film festival, this showpiece event was inaugurated in 1999 and plays host to an array of films of various genres. If you are looking for a serviced residence in Jakarta, then try Ascott Jakarta. These Jakarta serviced apartments will provide you with a luxurious stay while you are in the city.
The event is famous for its workshops and script development competitions and from the year 2006 has hosted an Indonesian Feature Film Competition that has been well received by both locals and tourists alike. In 2010 viewers were thrilled by the showings of Waiting for Superman, Outrage, When We Leave and a host of other local blockbuster hits.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Jakarta Independence Day – A day for togetherness

It is on the 17th of August that the Indonesians celebrate their independence day. Weeks before the actual date the preparations begin, with much fluff and fanfare. In order to take part in these joyous celebrations, seek serviced accommodation Jakarta that best fits your needs. Among the many serviced apartments Jakarta, many prefer Somerset Grand Citra Jakarta which offers comfortable accommodation for travellers of all sorts. Streets are decorated with red and white flags and banners while people flock together and engage in community games such as greased pole climbing (panjat pinang), sack race (balap karung) and cracker-eating (makan kerupuk). The spirit of nationalism permeates through the air while various TV shows and theatre plays demonstrating the struggle for independence are aired during this time. A time for togetherness and unity, the Jakarta Independence day is indeed an event that must be experienced if one is to truly understand what makes this fascinating country truly unique.

Jakarta Fair 2013 – An international national celebration

Every year, Jakarta puts on its party hat to celebrate the best elements of local culture represented from all over the country. Visitors during this exciting event should consider investing in the best holiday accommodation Jakarta has to offer, from which one can truly enjoy the festivities. The Country Woods Jakarta is an excellent choice as it features the premium long stay accommodation Jakarta boasts of to all visitors, and the property’s stylish interiors and stellar modern amenities make this the perfect home-away-from-home for all visitors. The Jakarta Fair 2013 promises to be just as faithful to its predecessors as it always is. The fair was first started in 1967 by the city’s governor at the time, who wanted to combine the capital’s night markets into one market, as well as drawing inspiration from a similar festival from Indonesia’s Dutch past, the Pasar Gambir. Over time, the fair grew to become part of the city’s anniversary celebrations and it has incorporated elements from its Dutch predecessor into the celebrations. The fair features various cultural shows, trade exhibitions, music performances featuring artists from around the country, amusement rides for all ages, as well as delicious food to tingle the taste buds and it draws visitors from around the world. The fair usually stretches on for a month of cultural celebration, but this year’s fair will last for almost two months, from 20 May to 15 July. It is one of Indonesia’s cultural extravaganzas, so do not miss exciting event during the summer months!

Jakarta Fair – A celebration of Indonesia

The Indonesian capital forms a lively part of the country’s landscape and for a few nights each year, the Jakarta Fair captures the city’s vibrant culture in one central location. For a true experience of warm island hospitality, check into one of the city’s fine Jakarta serviced apartments. If visitors want an unforgettable experience of short stay accommodation Jakarta offers a few select options, such as the Ascott Jakarta, whose stylish interiors and modern amenities make it an ideal choice for business and leisure visits. Formed to commemorate the anniversary of Jakarta, the Jakarta Fair is the brainchild of Governor Ali Sadikin in 1967, who wanted to combine several of the city’s night markets into one. It is modeled after the Pasar Gambir events held during the country’s colonized Dutch era and has incorporated those yesteryear entertainment and trade exhibitions into its structure. Since the fair’s inception, it has become a part of the city’s anniversary celebrations each year. It is an exciting month-long celebration of everything local, unique and ultimately Indonesian, as expressed through music, dance, exhibitions, trade promotions, shows, amusement rides, and of course, delicious food. The fairs sees aspects of Indonesian culture fly in from all parts of the country, each show-casing their own brand of eclectic Indonesia. The longest fair was in 1968, and the celebrations went on for 71 days. One of the most memorable was the fair in 1969, which saw US president Richard Nixon as its VIP guest. To accommodate its popularity and subsequent growth in size, the fair was moved to the Jakarta International Expo in 1992, where it has delighted visitors from across the land and around the world, as they all come together to celebrate Indonesia’s finest cultural offerings.

Jakarta Fashion & Food Festival 2013

Popularly known as JFFF, Jakarta Fashion & Food Festival is possibly a fashionista’s and a foodie’s dream event! During this festival time base yourself at a Jakarta hotel such as Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta to enjoy a range of exclusive Jakarta hotel deals. The Fashion Extravaganza of JFFF presents spectacular fashion shows, fashion competitions, independent designers, workshops of the latest international trends and more. The fashion competitions see the participation of hundreds of fashion entrepreneurships, models and designers. With the eclectic fashion extravaganza and food festival, JFFF excites your senses with a celebration of the rich and diverse culture of Indonesia.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Fun Times – Jalan Jaksa Street Festival

Jalan Jaksa in central Jakarta is a historic street that housed students of the Jakarta Law Academy during Dutch times. In the late 1960s the street developed in quite another direction when it became famous among international backpackers and the first budget hotel in the country was established there. With the addition of several more hostels and cheap hotels it became the central point from which backpackers took off to other destinations in the country. In the mid 1990s a street festival was started to popularize the area further and to celebrate the culture of the Betawi people who are indigenous residents of Jakarta. The 400 meter road now has 27 budget hotels and hostels and hundreds of rooms rented by local residents, restaurants, money changers, pubs, laundries, bookstores and travel agencies and is home to several interesting long term residents.

The street festival takes place over three days from 4 in the afternoon to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 10pm to midnight on Sunday. During the festival the street is closed to traffic .The festival is also a short in the arm for Betawi culture which is on the wane as Jakarta becomes more cosmopolitan. It is also an opportunity to introduce urban youth to dying traditions. Many visitors agree that the festival is the best place to sample Betawi food in the form of brightly coloured glutinous cakes, soups, stews and noodle dishes hawked by street vendors. A photographic exhibition of old Jakarta, Jalan Jaksa and Kebon Sirih area as they were in the 1930s give the festival an interesting perspective. Watching demonstrations on making traditional paper lanterns, batik and local crafts, cheering on participants of ‘Paland Pintu’ traditional martial arts performances, shopping for cheap souvenirs and watching tattoo artists at work are some of the things that festival goers could do. Parades of local beauties accompanied by traditional drummers, dancers, and life sized puppets or ‘ondel ondel’ and Tanjidor or Betawi orchestras are also a part of the action. Traditional plays are enacted on the three stages set up in the middle of the street and local bands take the stage to play Indonesians pop songs late into the night.

Stay at the Somerset Berlian Jakarta to have the pleasure of experiencing green surroundings and spacious, contemporary two and three bedroom apartments that come fully equipped with all the necessities for a comfortable city stay for business and leisure travellers. This service apartment in Jakarta is located in the centre of the city making business and other important destinations, shopping, dining and entertainment areas easily reachable. Experience some of the most comfortableJakarta accommodation in a relaxing and secure environment.