Festivals Across Java: Belief and Culture Through Living Traditions

Java, one of Indonesia’s most storied islands, has long been the stage for defining moments in the nation’s history. From the rise of powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms to the dominance of Islamic sultanates, and later the grip of the Dutch East Indies, layers of belief, power, and culture have shaped the island over centuries. Among these shifting eras, the people of Java have held tightly to their roots, creating ceremonies that honor their ancestors and preserve their legacies. Today, these traditions continue to breathe life into the island’s past. Take a look at some of these festivals across Java that remain very much alive to this day.

Sekaten, The Iconic Kejawen Celebration in Yogyakarta

The first one we have is Sekaten, which is celebrated in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Sekaten is a cultural tradition inherited from Sunan Kalijaga, who sought to spread Islam at that time. The Prophet Muhammad’s birth commemoration, Sekaten, is held annually from the 5th to the 11th of Rabi'ul Awal, and ends on the 12th of Rabi'ul Awal with the Garebeg Mulud celebration. The Sekaten ceremony consists of five main processions: 

1. Miyos Gangsa, the removal and playing of the heirloom gamelan, and the distribution of udhik-udhik

2. Numplak Wajik, the placement of wajik on Gunungan Wadon and soldier training, 

3. Kondur Gangsa, returning the gamelan to the palace after the Maulid Nabi celebration

4. Garebeg, distribution of gunungan to the community 

5. Bedhol Songsong, closing of Sekaten with the removal of the grand umbrella and an all-night wayang performance.

The Sekaten Ceremony, also connected with Kejawen or Javanism, is a spiritual and cultural value system that has grown and developed within Javanese society. The main principle of Kejawen is known as Sangkan Paraning Dumadi, which involves a deep reflection on the relationship between humans and God, reflecting on where humans come from and where they will return. 

Yadnya Kasada, How The Tengger Tribe Celebrates Gratitude 

Yadnya Kasada, originally from Bromo, East Java, is known locally as Kasodo. Kasodo is a traditional ceremony of offering sacrifices or offerings to the crater of Mount Bromo by the Tengger Hindu community as a form of gratitude to Sang Hyang Widi, the ancestors, and the universe. Kasodo is not only a prayer and gratitude but also a promise that must be fulfilled by the Tengger tribe to their God. They celebrate this tradition once a year on the 15th day of the month of Kasada, or the 12th month in the Tengger calendar. 

Kasodo consists of three steps of rituals: First, water collection (mendhak tirta) followed by a tradition of taking turns staying awake until the opening of Kasada (makemit), and purifying the Kasada facilities and tools (melasti). Second, the opening of Kasada in the form of a dance performance. Third, throwing offerings into the crater in unison and in rows. If you want to catch this celebration, you can visit Bromo during Kasada Month, specifically on the 14th day when the moon is full. In 2026, the Bromo Kasada traditional ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 30–31, 2026.

The National Reog Ponorogo Festival, A Lively Festival in Ponorogo

If you visit Ponorogo, East Java, during the Islamic New Year, you will find the National Reog Ponorogo Festival, also known nationally as FNRP. A Javanese festival recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Reog Ponorogo is a traditional performing art centered around the striking Dadak Merak mask. Shaped like a tiger and crowned with peacock feathers, the mask symbolizes the king of the Lodaya forest. The performance is brought to life by iconic characters such as Kelono Sewandono, Bujangganong, Warok, and Jathil, and is accompanied by singers and musicians who heighten its dramatic presence.

Reog is performed in various community rituals and celebrations, from village cleansing ceremonies and weddings to welcoming honored guests, serving not only as entertainment but also as a social and cultural medium.  More than two centuries old, Reog grew organically in Ponorogo as an inclusive tradition, one that continues to be performed by diverse groups and passed down across generations.

In the end, these festivals are more than annual celebrations; they are living expressions of Java’s history, beliefs, and communal values. Each ceremony reflects how tradition, spirituality, and social life are deeply intertwined in Javanese society, connecting the present generation with the wisdom of their ancestors. Preserving and understanding these festivals is not only about maintaining cultural heritage, but also about honoring the identity and collective memory that continue to shape life across Java today.