The tradition on preparing and consuming ketupat during lebaran is believed to be introduced by Sunan Kalijaga,[4] one of the Wali Songo who spread Islam in Java, as it contains some symbolism.

[4] Other than Java, the tradition of consuming ketupat during Eid ul Fitr also can be found throughout Indonesia, from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, to neighboring Malaysia.

Other than shopping for typical food and kue kering (cookies) for Lebaran, Indonesians usually buy and wear new clothes and footwear.

The festive shopping feel is quite similar to Christmas for Christians, but the things bought (usually fashion apparel), are rather for oneself, not as a gift.

In 2013 around 30 million people travelled to their hometowns during lebaran, spending a total of around 90 trillion rupiah (around US$9 billion)[5] from main urban centers to rural areas, pulsing economic opportunities and business from the city to the villages.

Additionally, the wealthier classes often go to local hotels or overseas to accommodate the absence of their domestic servants, drivers and even security guards.

Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian hotels have been particularly successful in marketing lucrative Lebaran or Idul Fitri "escape packages".

The night before Idul Fitri is called takbiran, filled with the sounds of bedug drums and many muezzin chanting the takbir in the mosques or musallahs.

In larger cities people fill the streets and chant takbir from their cars and motorcycles, often creating more traffic jams.

In many parts of Indonesia, especially in rural areas, pelita, obor or lampu tempel (oil lamps, similar to tiki torches) are lit and placed outside and around homes.

On the Lebaran day, after performing the Eid prayer in the morning, people dressed in their new or best clothes will gather to greet their family and neighbours.

The lively or alternatively very emotional devotional music blended with Quranic verses associated with Ramadan and Eid – known as Kaisidah or more correctly, Qasida – can be heard throughout the country.

During these visits, it is a customs for older, established or married couple to give uang lebaran, a small amount of money, to their own children, as well as those of relatives and neighbours.

The male outfit is known as baju koko: a collarless long- or short-sleeve shirt with traditional embroidered designs with a "kilt" sarung of songket, ikat or similar woven, plaid-cloth.

Alternatively, they may wear Western-style business suits or more traditional loose-fitting trousers with colour-matched shirts, and a peci hat or regional cultural headwear and songkok.

This is particularly common in Indonesia, where many families have close friends or relatives of differing faiths, namely Catholic, some Protestant, some Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim, or even Confucian.

People return to cities of their workplaces from their hometowns, and just like the mudik lebaran it creates massive temporary migrations that require large amounts of transportation for travellers and often results in gridlock traffic.