Yogyakarta. The Malioboro area, a renowned tourist destination in Yogyakarta, will host a car-free night on New Year's Eve 2024. The event will commence on Sunday at 18:00 and extend until Jan. 1, 2024, at 02:00 AM.

"At 6:00 PM until 02:00 AM, the area will be exclusively closed for pedestrians," said Subani Rahmad, Head of the Teteg Malioboro Police Post, on Sunday.

This pedestrian-friendly arrangement allows visitors, both foreign and domestic, to stroll along the street, immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere, and appreciate the sights and sounds without the disruption of traffic.

Malioboro Street is deeply rooted in Javanese culture and history and is renowned for its diverse array of shops and stalls offering traditional Javanese handicrafts, batik textiles, as well as modern clothing and accessories. It is also a gastronomic delight for food enthusiasts, featuring a wide variety of traditional Javanese and Indonesian street food.

During the car-free night on Malioboro Street, the Yogyakarta City Culture Agency is organizing traditional and modern music, and art performances for visitors, titled "Sekar Rinonce." The event is free of charge and will be held at three locations along Malioboro Street, including the pedestrian area in front of Teras Malioboro 2, in front of the atrium of Plaza Malioboro, and front of Pasar Beringharjo.

The Sekar Rinonce event will showcase performances by local cultural art groups and Malioboro street musicians.

The Yogyakarta City Government, Yogyakarta City Police, and the Yogyakarta City Transportation Agency have implemented various traffic measures to manage the expected congestion around the Tugu, Malioboro, and Keraton (royal palace) areas, particularly in Jalan Jendral Sudirman, Jalan Margo Utomo, Jalan Abu Bakar Ali, Jalan Malioboro, and Jalan Pasar Kembang.

As of Saturday, the Malioboro area in Yogyakarta was filled with tourists. Numerous vehicles, mainly four-wheelers, queued up to enter the Malioboro area. Pedestrians also crowded the Malioboro area, eager to take selfies and indulge in shopping. Visitors were advised to remain vigilant while in the area by safeguarding their belongings and keeping an eye on children to prevent any incidents of crime or accidents.