Annual Christmas / Holiday Bazaars in Jakarta

If you love to shop you have come to the right place! Yes, Jakarta really is a shopper's paradise, as many beautiful and unique items can be found here at relatively inexpensive prices. The numerous bazaars organized by groups within the expatriate community provide the best opportunities for finding those special items that you will treasure long after your departure from Indonesia as well as unusual and delightful gifts for friends and family.

Each year the expatriate women's groups put on major crafts bazaars in the months leading up to Christmas just in time for holiday shopping. The second "bazaar season" occurs in May and June before the summer holidays when most expatriates return to their home countries. Though the bazaar is organized by one national group, they are all open to expatriates of all nationalities. Walking around the bazaar is like attending a UN session, with tens of languages spoken amongst the shoppers.

Many different types of goods are for sale at the bazaars, such as clothing, shoes and handbags, jewelry, cushions and cushion covers, housewares, pottery, picture frames, greeting cards, Christmas decorations, toys, and food items. Some of the products are imported from other countries, but the majority are local products and include many varieties of handicrafts such as batik cloths, woven cloths, woodcarvings and basket ware. Because you are often purchasing direct from the manufacturer, or their personal rep, prices are usually MUCH cheaper than in Jakarta's upscale (yet complete) handicraft centers.

Vendors at the bazaars may be individuals, companies or charitable foundations selling products made by disabled or disadvantaged people. The best thing about shopping at the bazaars organized by the expatriate women's associations is that, not only can you shop in a safe and pleasant environment with a wonderful choice of products, but you will have the knowledge that part of the money you spend goes to help social welfare projects in the local community, as the bazaars are some of the major fundraising activities for the organizing expatriate women's group.

Many of the women's groups and other community groups also sell their publications, cards and calendars at the bazaars, so it's a one-stop shop to get many of the excellent printed resources from community groups as well.

The location of the various bazaars are usually 5-star international hotels, or other a safe and pleasant environments so a wonderful lunch after shopping with friends is often on the day's agenda as well.

A big draw at all the bazaars are the excellent raffles/lucky draw/Tombola ... where you can win handicrafts, trips around the archipelago, flights abroad and hotel stays and dinners out on the town. The funds raised by these raffles often go to support the group's Social Welfare projects.

Each group has a different policy (often different from year to year as well), regarding entrance costs. In some cases, it may include a morning tea, in others not. With some organizations members get in free and other expatriate community members pay, with others charging for all entrants. Some groups allow strollers, and others don't. Most have a deposit counter where you can check your shopping bags if your hands get full, and free them up for more shopping!

Bazaars are a big part of the pre-holiday season's festivities each year, and eagerly awaited and enjoyed by the expatriate community at large!

2023 Holiday Bazaars

We will post information here when it gets closer to the bazaar season.

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Past Bazaars

The traditional German Christkindl-Markt (Die Brucke) will be held on December TBA at Hotel Atlet Century Senayan, from 1:00 to 9:00 pm. In the "Futterkrippe" you will find lots of typical German food and in the "Backstube" lots of delicious, homemade cakes. Lebkuchen and other typical German sweets will be on sale and, in addition, many vendors will offer their products. The bazaar features a Lucky Draw, Mulled & Sparkling Wine, German Food, Christmas Decorations & Handicrafts, Christmas Cookies, and homemade cakes. Proceeds from the bazaar go to charity projects of "Die Brucke". For more information, contact bruecke@die-bruecke-jakarta.org.

The Wisma Cheshire Christmas Bazaar will be held on October TBA from 9:00 am-4:00 pm in the Emerald Room, at Hotel Kristal, Jl. Terogong Raya, Cilandak, Jakarta. We will sell handicraft and woodwork products made by Wisma Cheshire's paraplegic residents. We will sell new items at the event this year. For more information, Contact Fendo, Manager of Yayasan Cheshire Indoensia at fendo.cheshire@gmail.com

The American Women’s Association (AWA) holds their Fall Charity Bazaar each year with vendors from all over Indonesia offering their wares. The Bazaar will be held on October TBA at the Century Park Hotel from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Entrance donation: Rp 50,000.

The Women’s International Club (WIC) 50th Annual Annual Charity Bazaar will be held on November TBA at the Jakarta Convention Center, Hall B. This bazaar is somewhat different than all of the others as almost 45 embassies and over 200 business and food stalls participate, selling goods that are specialties from their home countries. The first day of the WIC bazaar is for invited guests and WIC members only and the second day is open to the public (entry Rp 10,000).

The popular Australian & New Zealand Association (ANZA) End of Year Bazaar will be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on November TBA at ANZA House. A family-friendly event with kids corner, entertainment and food stalls. With more than 100 vendors, it is a great opportunity for buying Indonesian handicrafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts. Lots of attractive prizes will be offered in the raffle and you may be lucky! Entrance fee Rp 60,000. Email us at info@anzajakarta.com for more information.

The British Women’s Association (BWA) Christmas Shopping Bazaar will be held on November TBA from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Grand Kemang Hotel Ballroom, and features 100 great stalls including homemade cakes, cookies, crafts, fashions, white elephant, and Lucky Draw that goes on all day. All are welcome, contact (021) 719-3607 or email bazaar@bwajakarta.org for further information. All proceeds from the lucky draw and BWA bake sale will go to the association's social welfare programs.

It sounds as though there will be plenty of opportunities to shop ‘til we drop again this pre-holiday bazaar season!

Contact the women's groups for additional details on their upcoming bazaars.

Last updated May 10, 2023