The beautiful island of Batam, one of the largest in the Riau archipelago, celebrates several religious and non-religious festivals. Some of the most interesting Batam Festivals are the Mooncake Festival, The Coastal Community Cultural Festival and the Lomban Festival.

Moon Cake Festival
September

Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Lantern Festival, this event is considered as highly auspicious. On this day, children light colorful lanterns made in the shapes of butterflies, fish and squirrels and feast on moon cakes baked especially for the occasion.

On this day, the moon is considered to be at its brightest and fullest, according to the Chinese. Originally, the purpose of the Moon Cake Festival was to celebrate a bountiful autumn harvest. The idea of moon cakes comes from the little pastries used by the Chinese to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty. The little moon cakes carried secret messages.

According to another legend, moon cakes were offered to the Princess Chang Er and her pet rabbit, who made the moon their abode.

Lomban Festival
January

This annual festival is held in the coastal areas of Indonesia. Fishermen give thanks to the sea for its bounty by throwing food offerings into it. They offer fruits, flowers, chicken, buffalo heads and more. The canoe races held on this day attract crowds from everywhere.

The canoes are brightly painted and decorated with flowers, and the fishermen pray for rich hauls of fish in the coming year. They end the festival with traditional art performances in the evening, including a mock battle between the fishermen and pseudo pirates, in memory of past struggles with these sea bandits.  

Coastal Community Cultural Festival
August

Part of the independence day celebrations, this festival showcases the Malay culture, and the art and traditions of the coastal areas.

Kenduri Seni Melayu (Melayu Art Festival)
September

Malays of all ethnic groups from across Southeast Asia gather in Batam every year to celebrate their cultural roots.

Folk Art Festival
August

This festival celebrates Indonesia’s Independence Day with competitions of traditional sports, cultural performances and exhibitions of arts and crafts.

Hari Raya Puasa
September

Muslims across the country celebrate this festival after a month of fasting during Ramadan.

A month ahead of Hari Raya Puasa, people buy clothes and women sew new curtains. On the day of the festival, dressed in their new clothes, they pray in the mosques and after that, they ask their elders for forgiveness.