In addition to Cap Go Meh, Bogor Will Have Pajajaran Carnival
Bogor city could gain a new cultural tourism agenda beyond Cap Go Meh. West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi proposed that Bogor City Government present Pajajaran Carnival as an annual event that foregrounds the history of the Pajajaran kingdom in the Sunda region. The proposal was conveyed when he attended the Cap Go Meh 2026 peak celebration on Jalan Surya Kencana, Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday night (3 March 2026).
In his speech, Dedi Mulyadi urged the Bogor Mayor to begin preparing a new carnival from this year that elevates the Pajajaran historical identity. “I request that starting this year there is another carnival, namely Pajajaran Carnival. Bogor is the centre of the Pajajaran Kingdom; this must become a future icon,” he said.
He noted that Bogor is not only a plural city and a cultural city, but also a city with a history of Pajajaran’s glory. Therefore, that historical narrative is worth developing into a new tourism attraction that would enrich the city’s annual event calendar in the rainy-season city.
The West Java governor also commended the successful Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh, titled Harmony in Diversity, which coincided with Ramadan. According to him, Bogor is a plural city, a cultural city, and a city with a history of Pajajaran’s prosperity. Therefore, the Cap Go Meh festival embodies the spirit of togetherness and diversity through the arts.
If realised, Pajajaran Carnival could become a tourism magnet based on history, complementing Cap Go Meh’s character which is rooted in Chinese–Nusantara cultural acculturation. The concept aligns with the trend of culture festivals across West Java that highlight local identities as tourist attractions.
Currently, Cap Go Meh Bogor has been included in the 125 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2026 list by the Ministry of Tourism. The national-scale event draws thousands of visitors each year and boosts the hotel, culinary, and SME sectors around Surya Kencana.
If Pajajaran Carnival is truly held, Bogor could host two major cultural events with different characters: one based on Chinese–Nusantara tradition, and another based on the history of the Sunda kingdom. This combination is seen as strengthening Bogor’s position as a cultural and historical tourism destination in West Java.
Besides enjoying the city’s rainy-season atmosphere and its range of cuisine, visitors could plan visits to Bogor with more cultural celebrations throughout the year.