It features exhibitions, trade promotions, shopping, music performances, various shows, amusement rides and a food festival.

[1] The fair incorporates trade exhibitions and entertainment that existed in Batavia (now Jakarta) during Dutch East Indies era.

Originally the annual fair took place in Koningsplein (now Merdeka square) in Weltevreden Batavia and it was called "Pasar Gambir".

It was held on the site where Atma Jaya University now stands, on what is then called Kebayoran Road (now Jalan Jendral Sudirman).

[2] The first Pekan Raya Indonesia was held between 29 August to 4 October 1953, officially known in English as "The First Indonesian International Trade & Industrial Fair".

Leading US companies e.g. Ford, General Motors, Caterpillar, Goodyear, RCA and Pan Am make exhibition in the fair.

[4] Because the number of participants grown steadily the fairground in the southern park of Medan Merdeka square was considered not large enough to contain the grand fair.