Merdeka Night to Feature Video Mapping and Drone Show from Monas to HI Roundabout
The Ministry of Creative Economy is holding a series of Merdeka Night events to mark Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day in the Monas area through to the HI Roundabout in Jakarta tonight. Various creative performances have been prepared, ranging from video mapping, immersive installations, a decorated vehicle carnival, to a drone show.
Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya said the Merdeka Night series involves thousands of creative talents from various sub-sectors. The activities are designed as a space for the public to celebrate independence while providing an economic impact for the people.
“We are coordinating four events: immersive installations, video mapping, a decorated vehicle carnival, and a drone performance,” Riefky said during a press conference at the HI Roundabout area in Central Jakarta on Monday (17/8/2026).
The series of events is spread from the Monas area to the HI Roundabout. Immersive installations are being held at six points, namely three points around Monas and three points in the HI area. The installations carry the themes ‘Me and Indonesia’, ‘My Hopes for Indonesia’, and ‘Proud to be Indonesian’.
The public can interact directly through a number of technologies, such as interactive videos, image generators, time corridors, wishing walls, the Garuda Totem, and LED strips. For the video mapping at the Monas Monument, the show runs from 18.00 to 23.00 WIB.
The content displayed tells the story of Indonesia’s journey from the pre-independence struggle, the moment of the proclamation, to development towards Golden Indonesia 2045. The video mapping uses 32 projectors and presents 13 pieces of content.
In addition, the public can watch a decorated vehicle carnival starting at 18.50 WIB. The carnival takes a route from Monas to the HI Roundabout. A total of 32 decorated vehicles are involved in the carnival. The vehicles are decorated with various elements of culture, creativity, and government programmes.
“The carnival involves 32 decorated vehicles created by ministries and institutions. No fewer than 3,000 creative workers from various sub-sectors are involved in making today’s carnival a success,” he said.
The show then continues with a drone show in the HI Roundabout area at around 22.00 WIB. Around 1,500 drones will form various visual configurations carrying themes and narratives of nationalism.
Not only performances, the Monas area is also filled with MSME activities. The government has prepared around 600 MSME stalls for the public attending. Riefky said one stall will be occupied by two MSME operators. Thus, the activity also serves as a space for business actors to gain economic benefits from the high number of people attending.
“For the MSMEs, there are 600 counters, with one counter or one tent containing two MSMEs,” he explained.
The government estimates that the Monas area can accommodate up to around 600,000 people. However, the presence of around 300,000 people is considered an optimal number for a large event in the area.
Besides MSMEs, the series of events also involves various creative economy sub-sectors, from design, fashion, music, performing arts, digital content, to new technologies.
The Ministry of Creative Economy hopes that the celebration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day will not only be entertainment, but also a momentum to drive the creative economy and open opportunities for creative actors and MSMEs.