Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 runs from 26 September to 4 October in Solo (Surakarta) and Yogyakarta, bringing together regional chefs, food artisans, and street food vendors from across Java and beyond. The event is part of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy’s ongoing effort to position Indonesian cuisine alongside its cultural and heritage attractions.
What the Festival Covers
The nine-day programme spans both cities, with the event split between Sriwedari Park in Solo and the Prambanan Archaeological Park precinct on the Yogyakarta side. Programming includes:
Chef demonstrations and masterclasses featuring Indonesian culinary techniques - batik-patterned rice presentation, tempeh fermentation workshops, and the preparation of ceremonial dishes associated with Javanese royal court traditions.
Street food markets running each evening, with vendors representing Solo’s famous nasi liwet and serabi, Yogyakarta’s gudeg (young jackfruit curry), and regional dishes from outer Java that are less commonly encountered in tourist areas.
Cooking competitions open to both professional chefs and home cooks, judged by a panel that includes food critics and cultural historians.
Heritage dining experiences connecting specific dishes to their archaeological and royal contexts - a format that proved popular at the 2025 edition and has been expanded this year.
Why Solo and Yogyakarta
The two cities were chosen as co-hosts because they form the core of Javanese court culture and are the principal sources of Indonesian cuisine’s most refined traditions. Solo is traditionally regarded as the more conservative of the two royal cities; Yogyakarta is livelier and already hosts a substantial international visitor base thanks to Borobudur and Prambanan. Together, they offer a complete picture of Javanese culinary culture.
Both cities are easily reached from Jakarta - Solo has its own Adi Soemarmo International Airport, and Yogyakarta is served by Adisutjipto and the newer Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA).
Visiting Java
Our food guide to Indonesia covers the regional cuisines of Java, Bali, and Sumatra. For things to do around Yogyakarta - including temple visits, batik workshops, and volcano hikes - our things to do section has practical options with booking links. For guided tours in Yogyakarta and day trips to Borobudur and Prambanan, browse options and book in advance for the festival period.