Festivals in Semarang

Festivals in Semarang attract many visitors to come here and be a part of the colorful festivals here. Muharam which is the Muslim New Year which is held in April is one of the greatest events not only in Semarang but throughout Indonesia. The Moslem's Hijriyah New Year is a national holiday all over Indonesia. Idul Ad'ha held also in April is another important festival throughout Indonesia. It is a national holiday. It is the Moslem Day of Sacrifice, marked with mass prayers at mosques and in town squares. Goats and cattle are slaughtered and the meat given to the poor and needy. The Ruwatan Traditional Ceremony is another important festival held in Semarang. It is quiet unique to Semarang. During this festival is basically a sacrificial ceremony of Javanese tradition to avoid disasters which are symbolized by Sang Batharakala (Bas Dewa) which takes revenge against unlucky children such as: one son or one daughter only in a couple, two daughters, two sons, etc. This festival is held in May charecterised by various process of purification of the unlucky children. This festival is held at Taman Budaya Raden Saleh, Jalan Sriwijaya 29 Semarang, and begins at 09.00 am. Dugderan Festival is celebrated with great pomp and show every year in December or January. It is unique to Semarang. Dugderan Festival is organized during the week before the commencement of Ramadan, the month during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The Muslims sound the big drum and have a fireworks display. These announce the official onset of the Ramadan, the fasting month.