Hotels in Yogyakarta Cancel Fireworks Party, Make Donation Event for Sumatra Disaster

Visitors travel to Malioboro, Yogyakarta, Tuesday (23/12/2025)/ANTARA FOTO/Andreas Fitri Atmoko/nz

YOGYAKARTA - A number of hotels in the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) have shifted plans for fireworks on New Year's Eve 2026 to a donation activity for victims of natural disasters following a ban from the police.

The Chairman of PHRI DIY Deddy Pranowo Eryono said the ban was a form of respect for the disaster situation in a number of areas in Sumatra.

"We follow, because the reason is to respect there is a disaster. Now many hotels are shifting away from fireworks, but there are donation events," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 29.

According to Deddy, hotels that originally prepared New Year's Eve celebration packages still provide special packages for visitors without fireworks. The package is generally in the form of music performances and dinners.

"There are several, but there are no fireworks. Only music and dinner packages because there is a ban from the police and the district/city government," he said.

Before the certainty of the ban, Deddy admitted that a number of hotels had waited for clarity on licensing from the police.

"I don't want to issue a permit but I also don't prohibit it. But after yesterday, I just strictly prohibited it," he said.

Adjusting the ban, a number of hotels have taken the initiative to shift the momentum of the new year into social activities.

"There is a donation event. There are several hotels where visitors buy packages, so there is a portion (of the funds) that is donated," said Deddy.

He assessed that the abolition of the fireworks festival had not affected the level of visits or hotel room reservations ahead of New Year's Eve.

"In the Yogyakarta City area, Malioboro, the occupancy rate for December 30 and 31 has reached 80 percent," he said.

PHRI DIY appeals to all members to comply with the policy.

"Yes, we appeal to obey the rules. All hotels in DIY," said Deddy.

Previously, the Mayor of Yogyakarta Hasto Wardoyo stated that he prohibited the public and organizers from holding fireworks parties on New Year's Eve 2026.

Hasto said that he had issued a circular (SE) as the basis for the ban with the police handing over the punishment and sanctions.

The Head of the Yogyakarta Police, Kombes Pol Eva Guna Pandia, stated that he would intensify socialization so that the public would not hold fireworks parties during the new year.

Pandia ensures that the enforcement of rules is still carried out persuasively and humanistically.