Chinese New Year Parade at Lapangan Banteng Causes Heavy Traffic Congestion and Road Closures

JAKARTA — Traffic flow around Lapangan Banteng in Central Jakarta on Saturday 28 February 2026 evening was observed to be heavily congested.

Monitoring by local authorities at the site at 5:30 pm indicated congestion beginning to build from Cathedral Street towards Pasar Baru and continuing to Post Street.

Although vehicles continued to move, the road could only be partially utilised due to the National Chinese New Year Parade Festival 2026 passing through several road sections in the area.

Traffic conditions became increasingly stalled when officers prohibited vehicles on Post Street from turning onto Gedung Kesenian Street.

The parade participants using the right-hand lane also further reduced available space for vehicles.

Several vehicles appeared to have difficulty passing through, including a truck that was forced to stop due to being squeezed between the parade participants.

“Just go, sir. You can do it, you can,” said one motorbike rider to the truck driver.

Until now, North Lapangan Banteng Street and Gedung Kesenian Street have been partially closed to support the smooth running of the National Chinese New Year Parade.