Nusa Penida Unites Lombok, Siargao, Hoi An, and Koh Yao Noi in Effectuating New Year Celebrations Across Southeast Asia: What You Need to Know

Published on December 11, 2025

Many travellers look to celebrate the dawn of a new year somewhere memorable. While major cities host spectacular fireworks and countdowns, smaller destinations across Southeast Asia offer distinctive experiences rooted in heritage, community and nature. Government agencies and official tourism bodies provide insights into how these places will welcome 2025. The following overview examines five destinations—Nusa Penida and Lombok in Indonesia, Siargao in the Philippines, Hoi An in Vietnam and Koh Yao Noi in Thailand—to understand what New Year events and cultural observances visitors can expect.

Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Nusa Penida is a small island off Bali known for dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters. It does not stage a large public countdown for New Year’s Eve; instead, celebrations are shaped by national holidays and Balinese customs. Indonesia’s national holiday calendar designates January 1, 2025 as a public holiday and lists other cultural observances such as the Islamic holiday Isra Mi‘raj, Chinese New Year and the Hindu Nyepi (Day of Silence)[1]. “Cuti Bersama” (collective leave) allows extended time off around certain holidays[2]. Nusa Penida adheres to this schedule, meaning government offices and many businesses close on January 1, while hotels and dive resorts offer quiet dinners or small parties for guests.

Cultural life on the island revolves around temple festivals and traditional days rather than Western New Year’s celebrations. The island’s calendar features Balinese ceremonies such as Nyepi Laut (ocean silence) in October 2025, when all maritime activities stop to honour the sea[1]. Visitors celebrating New Year 2025 in Nusa Penida will therefore experience a tranquil atmosphere: most locals attend temple services or spend time with family, and there is no official midnight fireworks display. However, the Indonesian holiday schedule ensures that tourism services operate with reduced staff, giving visitors a peaceful start to the year surrounded by nature and Balinese spirituality.

Lombok, Indonesia

Lombok’s government and the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a state-owned enterprise, have worked to position the island’s Mandalika area as a world-class tourism destination. To ring in 2025, ITDC organised Mandiri Festival Mandalika Seru 2024, held at Kuta Beach Park on 31 December 2024. The festival drew 17,518 tourists from across Indonesia and abroad[3]. It carried the theme “New Year Starts With You” and featured performances by popular singer Wika Salim, local bands and DJ Karen[4]. The evening culminated with a thirty‑minute fireworks display using 2,500 shots[5].

The festival was more than entertainment. ITDC’s Journey to Green Tourism Mandalika programme launched during the event included tree‑planting initiatives and a micro–small–medium enterprises (MSME) bazaar with over 33 stalls, generating significant revenue for local vendors[6]. Security was robust; ITDC deployed 267 personnel across five posts, along with ambulances and a fire station, to ensure visitor safety[7]. Environmental management was also emphasised: integrated waste management resulted in 11 tonnes of waste being processed during the festival[8].

Because of its success, Mandalika’s year‑end festival is expected to be an annual highlight. While there is no official announcement yet about a New Year’s Eve 2025 festival, ITDC’s planning documents and local news suggest similar programmes are likely. Travellers can therefore anticipate another large-scale celebration with cultural performances, sustainable tourism initiatives and community engagement.

Siargao, Philippines

Siargao, a surfing haven in the Philippines, is known for its laid-back vibe rather than lavish New Year parties. Philippine presidential Proclamation No. 727 lists January 1, 2025 as a regular holiday and December 31, 2024 as a special non‑working day[9]. The proclamation, issued in October 2024, sets the national framework for public holidays[10]. On Siargao, most municipal offices close, and residents celebrate quietly with family or attend church services.

The island’s signature official festival is the Bakhaw Festival in Del Carmen. Organised by the local government, it emphasises mangrove conservation and community. The 11th edition includes a municipal flea market, musical performances, festival dance, basketball tournaments, an international marathon and a health summit[11]. Though held in July, not during New Year, the festival reflects how Siargao’s local administration celebrates cultural identity and environment. For New Year’s Eve 2024–2025, tourism operators host private parties at resorts or surf bars, but there is no government-run countdown. Visitors should therefore expect an informal island celebration following national holiday guidelines.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An, a UNESCO‑listed ancient town in central Vietnam, organises both Western and Lunar New Year festivities under the supervision of the Hoi An City Culture, Sports and Radio–Television Center and the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT). An official VNAT article from late December 2024 states that Hoi An will host a suite of cultural and artistic activities to welcome New Year 2025[12]. Special programmes include a Street Art Performance at Kazik Park on December 30–31, combining dancers with traditional and contemporary bands[12]. On the night of 31 December, the city stages a music exchange programme titled “Hoi An – Spring and Youth” and a gala “Hoi An Welcomes New Year 2025” at Hoi An Park[12]. These events feature vibrant songs and dances and continue through the midnight transition[13].

Hoi An extends festivities into the New Year’s Day. On 1 January 2025, the city conducts its annual “Welcoming the first group of visitors to Hoi An Ancient Town” at the Japanese Bridge area, symbolising hospitality to international tourists[12]. Streets and heritage sites are decorated with lanterns and floral displays[12]. Later in January, the city hosts a Lunar New Year Festival. According to the Hoi An Creative City Centre, the Hội An Lunar New Year Festival will take place at 23:00 on 28 January 2025 at Hoi An Park, featuring an artistic programme by local singers and bands, followed by a fireworks display to welcome the Lunar New Year[14]. Additional traditions include a Spring Press Festival, tree‑planting ceremonies, the Tết pole ritual and a Spring Flower Festival at Trảng Kèo Lake[15]. From January 28 to February 8, Hoi An Park will host games and entertainment for residents and visitors[16]. These official events showcase Hoi An’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while offering festive celebrations for visitors.

Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Koh Yao Noi is a tranquil island between Phuket and Krabi known for its fishing villages and quiet beaches. Unlike Thailand’s major tourist hubs, Koh Yao Noi does not host a large public New Year countdown. The island follows national holiday schedules and local Islamic and Buddhist traditions. Nationally, Thailand celebrates Songkran, the Thai New Year, in mid‑April. In 2023 UNESCO added Songkran to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Thai government to elevate the festival. A government news article on thailand.go.th, an official portal under the Public Relations Department, describes the Grand Celebration for Songkran 2025 themed “My Songkran – Thai Colours, Happiness Around the World”[17]. The article outlines major events in Bangkok and six provinces—including parades on Ratchadamnoen Road, street festivals at Siam Square, and a water festival in Phuket[18]. Phuket’s celebrations occur at Dragon Square and Wat Mai Khao on April 12–13[19]. While Koh Yao Noi is not named among the headline locations, residents often travel to nearby Phuket for the big events or celebrate with small water-splashing rituals in their villages.

There are also corporate festivities that attract travellers to Koh Yao Noi. A press release from Cape & Kantary Hotels describes a New Year’s Eve dinner at Cape Kudu Hotel on the island, with a cocktail party, buffet, live music and fireworks on 31 December 2024[20]. Such resort‑hosted dinners are common, but they are private rather than government‑sanctioned. Visitors seeking a traditional Thai New Year experience are encouraged to attend Songkran events on neighbouring Phuket, while those preferring a peaceful transition into 2025 may enjoy dinner at local resorts or quiet beaches on Koh Yao Noi.

Conclusion

New Year celebrations in Southeast Asia are diverse, reflecting national policies, local culture and tourism strategies. Nusa Penida offers a serene start to 2025 aligned with Indonesia’s national holiday schedule. Lombok’s Mandalika resort area demonstrates how state‑supported festivals can blend entertainment, sustainability and economic benefits. Siargao maintains its calm surf culture while following Philippine holiday proclamations and highlighting community festivals like Bakhaw. Hoi An showcases Vietnam’s dedication to cultural heritage, with both Western and Lunar New Year programmes managed by municipal and national tourism authorities. Koh Yao Noi remains quiet for Western New Year but connects to Thailand’s broader celebration of Songkran and hosts resort dinners for visitors. These destinations illustrate that memorable New Year experiences need not involve massive crowds; they can be shaped by cultural authenticity, environmental stewardship and community celebration.

References

1. Nusa Penida tourism website detailing Indonesian national holidays and collective leave days for 2025[1][2].
2. Tempo article on Mandiri Festival Mandalika Seru 2024: attendance numbers, performances, fireworks and sustainability initiatives[4][6][7][8].
3. Philippine Star article summarising Proclamation No. 727 and listing regular holidays and special non‑working days for 2025[9].
4. Municipality of Del Carmen official website describing activities in the Bakhaw Festival[11].
5. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism article about Hoi An’s New Year 2025 programmes and street art performances[12][13].
6. Hoi An Creative City Centre article outlining the 2025 Lunar New Year festival schedule and associated cultural activities[21][15].
7. Thai government portal article “Grand Celebration for Songkran 2025” describing nationwide Songkran events and the theme “My Songkran – Thai Colours, Happiness Around the World”[17][18].
8. Press release on Cape Kudu Hotel’s New Year’s Eve dinner and fireworks on Koh Yao Noi[20].