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View all search resultsSemarang holds Imlek night market to welcome Chinese New Year
Visitors are expected to wear Chinese costumes, such as kebaya encim, as well as Indonesian traditional costumes.
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A man in Hanoman costume shakes hands with a visitor on Feb. 13, 2026, during the Tok Panjang communal dinner at the opening ceremony of Semawis Imlek night market in the Chinatown in Gang Gambiran, Semarang. Tok Panjang is usually held to celebrate Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek, and this year will be the Year of the Horse. (tribunnews.com/Idayatul Rohmah)
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ndonesians of Chinese descent in Semarang are holding a night market in the Semawis Market from Friday until Sunday in the city’s Chinatown district to celebrate Chinese New Year.
This year’s Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek, will ring in the Year of the Horse.
The night market, held from Gang Pinggir in Kauman subdistrict to Jl. East Wotgandul in Kranggan subdistrict, Central Semarang district, has various performances, such as wayang Potehi doll shows, xiangqi elephant chess, Chinese calligraphy, tarot reading, postcard sketches and the ubiquitous barongsai (lion dance) and liong samsi (dragon dance). Visitors can also enjoy the Sun Go Kong opera.
Visitors are expected to wear Chinese costumes, such as kebaya encim, as well as Indonesian traditional costumes.
Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestutis said the Semawis Imlek Market is not held only as a cultural celebration.
“The night market was also a common space to display Semarangers’ tolerance and togetherness,” she said.
The Imlek night market was frequented not only by those of Chinese descent but also other Semarang residents, even from out of the city. They all came to enjoy the cultural atmosphere.
