Merdeka Night in Jakarta Brings Together 3,000 Creative Talents & 1,500 Drones

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com— The Indonesian government is staging a series of creative and technology-driven performances as part of the 81st Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence through the Merdeka Night program, held from the National Monument (Monas) area to the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout in Jakarta on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.

Minister of Creative Economy and Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya said Merdeka Night is part of a series of public arts and cultural events mandated by President Prabowo Subianto to commemorate independence while strengthening social solidarity.

“For the Ministry of Creative Economy, we have been entrusted with organizing the Merdeka Night series of events taking place today, beginning in the morning and continuing through tonight, Aug. 17, 2026,” Riefky said at a press conference on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.

According to Riefky, the event is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Creative Economy, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Ministry of Tourism, ANTARA News Agency, and the Jakarta Provincial Government.

He said this year’s Independence Day celebration is not merely a moment to commemorate the nation’s journey, but also an opportunity to strengthen unity and generate economic benefits for communities.

“We want to send the message that Indonesia is one,” he said in Jakarta on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.

The Ministry of Creative Economy is coordinating four main activities: immersive installations, video mapping, a decorated vehicle carnival, and a drone show. The four attractions are spread across the area from Monas to the HI Roundabout.

The program combines creativity and technology while bringing together thousands of creative talents from various subsectors of the creative economy.

The participating subsectors include design, fashion, culinary arts, music, performing arts, digital content, and emerging technologies.

Immersive Installations at Six Locations

One of the main attractions is a series of immersive installations designed to offer interactive experiences for the public. Riefky said the technology is not simply intended to be viewed, but to make visitors part of the story.

“We use technology to invite people not only to watch, but to become part of the story,” he said.

The installations offer a range of experiences, including interactive videos, an image generator, a time tunnel, a wishing wall, a Garuda totem, and LED strips.

The experiences are built around three main themes: “Me and Indonesia,” “My Hopes for Indonesia,” and “Proud to Be Indonesian.”

The immersive installations are located at six sites, with three around Monas and three near the HI Roundabout. In the HI area, the installations are located in front of Plaza Indonesia, Hotel Kempinski, and Hotel Pullman.

Riefky said the concept is intended to encourage people to reflect on their personal connection with Indonesia, their hopes for the country’s future, and their sense of pride in being Indonesian.

Monas Video Mapping

In addition to the immersive installations, the public can watch a video mapping projection displayed on the National Monument from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. local time.

The performance highlights three phases of Indonesia’s journey: the struggle for independence, the proclamation of independence, and the nation’s development toward Indonesia Emas 2045, or Golden Indonesia 2045.

The video mapping show consists of 13 content segments powered by 32 projectors.

Riefky said the performance is designed not only to entertain but also to convey a message about Indonesia’s journey from its past to its aspirations for the future.

Carnival Features 32 Decorated Vehicles

The Merdeka Night festivities will continue with a decorated vehicle carnival, scheduled to begin at around 6:50 p.m. local time.

The carnival will travel from Monas to the HI Roundabout and will be officially launched by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka from the Main Tribune at the Monas complex.

A total of 32 decorated vehicles will take part in the carnival. The vehicles were created by various ministries and government agencies, featuring decorations inspired by Indonesian culture, creativity, and government programs.

Riefky said the event involves no fewer than 3,000 creative professionals and talents from various subsectors of the creative economy.

The participation of thousands of creative talents, he added, demonstrates how Independence Day celebrations can serve as a platform for national creative talent while also generating economic benefits for communities.

1,500 Drones to Illuminate Jakarta’s HI Roundabout

Another highlight of the celebrations will be a drone show over the HI Roundabout.

The show is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. local time, with the flight area above Hotel Kempinski. Around 1,500 drones will take to the sky, forming a series of visual configurations over Jakarta.

“Tonight, around 1,500 drones will form visual configurations that combine colors, themes and narratives into a unified story,” Riefky said.

The performance will convey a message of nationalism, using drone technology to create aerial visuals for the public to enjoy.

Riefky stressed that the Merdeka Night series is more than an entertainment spectacle. The government aims to make the Independence Day celebration a platform that brings together nationalism, culture, creativity and public participation.

“Through Merdeka Night, the government is inviting the public to view independence as a moment to strengthen unity, solidarity and mutual cooperation for all Indonesians,” he said.

He added that the event is expected to serve as a national platform combining nationalism, cultural roots, creativity and public participation, while also contributing to the grassroots economy.

“Ultimately, this is a national platform that brings together nationalism, cultural roots, creativity and public participation, while contributing to the grassroots economy and fostering optimism toward a sovereign, just and prosperous Indonesia,” Riefky said.