Dieng Culture Festival 2025 Returns with Lanterns and Traditional Rituals

The Dieng Culture Festival (DCF) 2025 will return for its 15th edition on August 23–24, 2025, bringing a vibrant mix of cultural performances, traditional rituals, and musical events to the scenic Dieng highlands in Central Java. Unlike previous editions, which lasted three days, this year’s festival is condensed into two days under the theme “Back to the Culture.”

The festival will feature iconic traditions such as the ritual of shaving dreadlocked children’s hair, a cultural parade, and collective prayers during the lantern release at night. Visitors can also enjoy open-air orchestra performances, MSME bazaars showcasing local crafts and foods, and various traditional art shows.

Festival chair Alif Faozi said the schedule is designed to highlight cultural authenticity while adding fresh elements.

“Dieng Culture Festival will be held for two days, Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, 2025. The main events include the cultural parade and the ritual of shaving dreadlocked children’s hair,” Alif stated, as quoted by Kompas.

This year, the famous Jazz Atas Awan segment will be replaced by the Dieng Symphony Orchestra. Major events, including the orchestra and ritual ceremonies, will have controlled access, while other stages like Sembadra and Gatotkaca will remain freely open to the public.

The festival also aims to boost the local economy through MSME participation. Last year’s bazaar recorded transactions worth USD 64,000, showcasing strong public support for local crafts and food.

Banjarnegara Regent Amalia Desiana expressed optimism about the festival’s impact, “DCF 2025 is a momentum to showcase the cultural values of the Dieng highlands. This event promotes tourism while providing positive economic benefits for residents. You’ll regret it if you miss this year’s Dieng Culture Festival.” she said.

Full Event Schedule: Dieng Culture Festival 2025

Day 1 – Saturday, August 23, 2025

  • 07:00 – onward: Dieng Clean-Up Action (all venues)
  • 09:00 – onward: MSME Bazaar (Setyaki and Gatotkaca venues) & Participant Kit Exchange (Pandawa Field)
  • 10:00 – 17:00: Traditional Art Performances (Arjuna & Gatotkaca venues)
  • 13:00 – 14:00: Official Opening Ceremony (Gatotkaca venue)
  • 17:30: Open Gate for Dieng Symphony Orchestra (Pandawa Field)
  • 19:00 – 19:30: Traditional Art Performances (Pandawa Field)
  • 19:30 – 22:30: Dieng Symphony Orchestra & Mystery Guest Performance
  • 22:30 – 23:00: Lantern Release (Pandawa Field)

Day 2 – Sunday, August 24, 2025

  • 07:00 – onward: Dieng Clean-Up Action (all venues)
  • 08:00 – 09:30: Cultural Parade (start: Rumah Pemangku Adat – finish: Arjuna Temple)
  • 09:00 – onward: MSME Bazaar (Setyaki and Gatotkaca venues)
  • 09:30 – 11:30: Jamasan & Hair Shaving Ritual for Dreadlocked Children (Arjuna Temple)
  • 11:30 – 12:00: Ngalap Berkah (Arjuna Temple)
  • 12:00 – 13:00: Hair Floating Ceremony (Telaga Balaikambang)
  • 13:00 – 17:00: Traditional Art Performances (Arjuna venue)
  • 15:00 – 17:00: Cultural Talks (Gatotkaca venue)
  • 19:00 – 21:00: Cultural Stage Performances (Gatotkaca venue)
  • 21:00: Official Closing Ceremony (Gatotkaca venue)

Tickets and Travel Tips

Tickets are available through the official website festivaldieng.id, with two-day and single-day packages covering major events like the orchestra and lantern release.

Travel tips: Book tickets and lodging early, bring warm clothing as temperatures drop at night, respect cultural rituals, and support local MSMEs by purchasing their products.

 

Source: Kompas, Festival Dieng, Jateng Prov

Photo Credit: geoparkdieng

Expat Indonesia is driven by Seven Stones Indonesia, a customer-centric company that believes in being authentic to deliver value to, and for, all stakeholders, to boost business growth and prosperity in Indonesia.

Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter

Write for Us

Write Now

Navigation

Copyright © 2022 expatindonesia.id | All Rights Reserved.

Andrzej Barski

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Andrzej is Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia. He was born in the UK to Polish parents and has been living in Indonesia for more than 33-years. He is a skilled writer, trainer and marketer with a deep understanding of Indonesia and its many cultures after spending many years travelling across the archipelago from North Sumatra to Irian Jaya.

His experience covers Marketing, Branding, Advertising, Publishing, Real Estate and Training for 5-Star Hotels and Resorts in Bali and Jakarta, which has given him a passion for the customer experience. He’s a published author and a regular contributor to local and regional publications. His interests include conservation, eco-conscious initiatives, spirituality and motorcycles. Andrzej speaks English and Indonesian.

Terje H. Nilsen

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Terje is from Norway and has been living in Indonesia for over 20-years. He first came to Indonesia as a child and after earning his degree in Business Administration from the University of Agder in Norway, he moved to Indonesia in 1993, where he has worked in leading positions in education and the fitness/ wellness industries all over Indonesia including Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Medan and Bali.

He was Co-owner and CEO of the Paradise Property Group for 10-years and led the company to great success. He is now Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia offering market entry services for foreign investors, legal advice, sourcing of investments and in particular real estate investments. He has a soft spot for eco-friendly and socially sustainable projects and investments, while his personal business strengths are in property law, tourism trends, macroeconomics, Indonesian government and regulations. His personal interests are in sport, adventure, history and spiritual experiences.

Terje’s leadership, drive and knowledge are recognised across many industries and his unrivalled network of high level contacts in government and business spans the globe. He believes you do good and do well but always in that order. Terje speaks English, Indonesian and Norwegian.

Contact Our Consultants

[wpforms id=”43785″]

Ridwan Jasin Zachrie

CFO of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Ridwan is one of Indonesia’s top executives with a long and illustrious career in the financial world. He holds several professional certifications including being a Certified Business Valuer (CBV) issued by the Australian Academy of Finance and Management; Broker-Dealer Representative (WPPE); and The Directorship Certification for Directors and Commissioners, issued by the Indonesian Institute of Commissioners and Directors.

His experience includes being the Managing Director at one of the top investment banking groups in the region, the Recapital Group, the CFO at State-owned enterprises in fishery industry and the CEO at Tanri Abeng & Son Holding. He’s also been an Independent Commissioner in several Financial Service companies and on the Audit and Risk Committee at Bank BTPN Tbk, Berau Coal Energy Tbk, Aetra Air Jakarta as well as working for Citibank, Bank Mandiri and HSBC. His last position was as CFO at PT Citra Putra Mandiri – OSO Group.

Ridwan has won a number of prestigious awards including the Best CFO Awards 2019 (Institute of Certified Management Accountant Australia-Indonesia); Asia Pacific Young Business Leader awarded by Asia 21 Network New York USA (Tokyo 2008); UK Alumni Business Awards 2008 awarded by the British Council; and The Most Inspiring Human Resources Practitioners’ version of Human Capital Magazine 2010.

He’s a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, Trisakti University, Co-Founder of the Paramadina Public Policy Institute and actively writes books, publications and articles in the mass media. He co-authored “Korupsi Mengorupsi Indonesia” in 2009, which helps those with an interest in understanding governance in Indonesia and the critical issue of corruption. Ridwan speaks Indonesian and English.

Per Fredrik Ecker

Managing Director of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Per is the Managing Director of the Seven Stones Indonesia (SSI) Jakarta office and has more than 25-years’ experience in Indonesia, China, and Western Europe. He previously worked in senior management positions with Q-Free ASA, Siemens AG, and other companies in the telecom sector. Over the last six years, he has been the Chairman of the Indonesia-Norway Business Council (INBC) and recently become elected to be on the board of EuroCham Indonesia.

His most recent experience is within Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS), Telecom, and other sectors within the Indonesian market. He is today through his position in SSI and by representing Norway Connect, promoting Nordic and European companies that would like to explore business opportunities in the Indonesian market. He’s also playing an active role to help create the Nordic House concept in Jakarta that will provide an excellent platform for Nordic companies entering Indonesia, where they’ll find a community that can offer support with trusted information and affordable services to enter this market.