Lunar New Year Celebrations Enliven Various Regions Across Indonesia
The festive spirit of Chinese New Year (Imlek) 2577 was felt across various regions of Indonesia, with lion dance performances adding to the vibrancy of celebrations.
Imlek Celebrations in Palembang
In Palembang, Chinese-Indonesian worshippers and local residents packed the Dewi Kwan Im Temple on Tuesday (17/2/2026). From early morning, they participated in a series of prayers and watched lion dance performances that became the centrepiece of the new year celebrations.
A solemn atmosphere prevailed as worshippers lit incense sticks and offered prayers to mark the turn of the year. However, the festivities intensified when the lion dance performance began in the temple courtyard.
The pounding of drums, gongs, and cymbals echoed through the air, accompanying the nimble movements of lion dance performers weaving through the crowd of spectators. Residents cheered enthusiastically, particularly when performers executed acrobatic moves atop iron poles.
Roaring applause erupted when the lion successfully retrieved red envelopes (angpao) hung high above — a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in the new year. Lina (34), one of the residents in attendance, expressed her gratitude at being able to celebrate Imlek with her family at the temple once again.
“Every year we always come to pray for good health and smooth fortune. This year feels very lively, especially with the lion dance performance being so entertaining and bringing an atmosphere full of energy,” said Lina on Tuesday (17/2).
She added that the lion dance festivities served as a particular draw that also strengthened community bonds.
“It’s not just Chinese-Indonesians who come, but the general public as well. This has become a beautiful moment of togetherness,” she said.
Release of Sparrows
Beyond the lion dance performances, the tradition of releasing sparrows — symbolising the casting away of bad luck and the opening of a new chapter — coloured the Chinese New Year 2577 celebrations at Dewi Kwan Im Temple. The sparrow release took place after temple prayers concluded.
A number of sparrows prepared in cages were released simultaneously into the air. As the cage doors opened, the small birds scattered in flight, greeted by the gazes and prayers of worshippers present.
This tradition is believed to be a symbolic act of discarding negative energy and misfortune from the previous year, whilst offering hopes that the new year will be filled with health, prosperity, and peace.
Michael (41), a resident who participated in the bird release, said he routinely follows the tradition every Imlek celebration.
“We believe this is a symbol of casting away bad things from last year. When the birds are released and fly freely, it’s as though our hopes and prayers fly with them — may this year be better and full of blessings,” he said on Tuesday (17/2/2026).
He added that the tradition is not merely ceremonial but also a moment for self-reflection.
“The point isn’t just releasing birds, but also releasing the burden of thoughts and mistakes that have been made. We start afresh with a cleaner heart,” he said.
Lion and Dragon Dance at Borobudur Temple
Lion dance and dragon dance (liong samsi) performances entertained visitors at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java. The performances took place along the Main Boulevard of Borobudur Temple, entertaining visitors heading towards the temple at around 10:30 local time.
Koningatun Mukaromah (33), a visitor from Cilacap, said she was thoroughly entertained by the lion dance performance.
“Because it coincided with the Imlek holiday, it entertained visitors, especially for me and my child. We were very happy watching the lion dance entertainment,” said Koni at Borobudur Temple on Tuesday (17/2/2026).
“We’re filling the school holidays. It coincided with the Imlek holiday and the start of Ramadan. Last night we went to Malioboro, and today we’re visiting Borobudur,” she added.
Another visitor from Jakarta, Nyayu Nur Khalida Ridhawana (22), said it was her third visit to Borobudur Temple. On this occasion, she happened upon the lion dance performance and a wishing wall set up along the Main Boulevard.
“The reason I wrote on the wishing wall is so my hopes come true. My prayer was: ‘always happy, healthy, lots of money, well-fed, successful and spirited’,” said Nyayu.
Lion and Dragon Dance at Adi Soemarmo Airport
Lion and dragon dance performances were also staged at the terminal of Adi Soemarmo Airport in Solo, Boyolali. The show was presented to entertain air travellers in celebration of Chinese New Year 2577.
“We presented the lion and dragon dance to provide entertainment and a unique experience for passengers travelling through Adi Soemarmo, and also to preserve existing traditions,” said Hery Purwanto, General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia at Adi Soemarmo Airport, on Tuesday (17/2/2026).
Hery Purwanto noted that in addition to the lion and dragon dance performances, passengers awaiting their flights also received souvenirs in the form of sticky rice cake (kue keranjang) and chocolates.
The performances were carried out by Lion Dance Sparta of Surakarta Police and Lion Dance Tripusaka Surakarta. They performed beautifully, dynamically, and impressively, managing to entertain all airport users.
The lion and dragon dance began with a parade from the arrivals and departures lobby, continuing with a performance in the domestic departure waiting lounge. Visitors were keen not to miss the moment, taking photographs with the lion and dragon dancers and even giving red envelopes to the performers.
Various ornaments decorating the Adi Soemarmo Airport terminal further enhanced the warm atmosphere of the 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations.
Bella, a passenger bound for Jakarta from Solo, expressed her delight at being able to watch the lion and dragon dance performance staged to entertain passengers awaiting their flights.
“It was really exciting, and I hope events like this are held more often because they really provide entertainment and a unique experience,” she said.