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14 Best Traditional Dance Shows in Bali

Home » 14 Best Traditional Dance Shows in Bali

Traditional dance shows in Bali allow you to enjoy some of the island’s most alluring visual treats. There’s a good mix of dance and drama, with live performances mostly presented on dedicated stages and amphitheatres – some being part of restaurants offering cultural dinners. You can admire barong and kris performances, kecak dances, and eloquent legong and joged dancers in vivid costumes.

Shows are held regularly and some feature different line-ups of events throughout the week, adding to the variety of colourful highlights that you can appreciate on your next bookings. Keep these great restaurants and venues in check whenever you’re feeling peckish and wish to please your inner arts and culture buff.

1. Uluwatu Temple Amphitheatre

Uluwatu Temple is one of the best places on the island to admire Bali’s legendary dance-drama spectacles, known locally as kecak. it is one of the best traditional dance shows in bali It has an open amphitheatre run and performed by the local Pecatu villagers’ cultural cooperative. 2 kecak dance troupes regularly perform at the Uluwatu amphitheatre, namely the Sekaa Tarian Kecak and Sekaa Tari Kecak Karang Boma dance and gamelan group.

The acapella performance involves over a dozen or more male performers dancing and rhythmically chanting, “chaak, chaak, chaak”, which gave the dance its name. Shows are held regularly around sunset and usually run for an hour.

Lokasi: Jalan Pura Uluwatu, Pecatu, Badung, Bali 80362, Indonesia

Buka: Daily from 8 am to 7 pm

2. Kecak Fire Dance

The Kecak Fire Dance is a mesmerizing performance that tells the story of Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic. The dance features a chorus of men chanting and singing, while the main dancer performs the story through intricate movements and gestures. The dance is set against a backdrop of flames, adding to the dramatic and captivating atmosphere.

  • Where to watch: Uluwatu Temple, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Uluwatu Temple), 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park), and 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

3. Barong Dance

The Barong dance is a traditional dance that tells the story of the eternal struggle between good and evil. The dance features a mythical creature, the Barong, which is a symbol of good, and the Rangda, a witch who represents evil. The show is a beautiful representation of traditional dance shows in bali, with its vibrant costumes, masks, and music.

  • Where to watch: Tirtha Empul Temple, Ubud Palace, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (Ubud Palace), and 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

4. Pendet Dance

The Pendet is a traditional welcome dance performed by young girls to greet guests. The dance is a beautiful representation of Balinese hospitality, with its gentle movements, elegant costumes, and soothing music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Show: 10:00 am – 11:30 am (Ubud Palace), 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

5. Tari Baris

The Tari Baris is a traditional war dance performed by men. The dance is a representation of the bravery and strength of Balinese warriors, with its powerful movements, energetic music, and vibrant costumes.

  • Where to watch: Tirtha Empul Temple, Ubud Palace, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Ubud Palace), and 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

6. Rejang Dance

The Rejang dance is a traditional dance performed by women to honor the gods and goddesses of Bali. The dance is a beautiful representation of Balinese culture, with its elegant movements, intricate costumes, and soothing music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

7. Sanghyang Dance

The Sanghyang dance is a traditional trance dance performed by men and women. The dance is a representation of the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, with its mesmerizing movements, hypnotic music, and vibrant costumes.

  • Where to watch: Tirtha Empul Temple, Ubud Palace, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Ubud Palace), and 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

8. Topeng Dance

The Topeng dance is a traditional masked dance performed by men. The dance is a representation of Balinese culture, with its intricate movements, colorful masks, and captivating music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

9. Arja Dance

The Arja dance is a traditional dance that tells the story of love and romance. The dance is a beautiful representation of Balinese culture, with its elegant movements, intricate costumes, and soothing music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 10:00 am – 11:30 am (Ubud Palace), 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

10. Gambuh Dance

The Gambuh dance is a traditional dance that tells the story of the history of Bali. The dance is a beautiful representation of Bal culture, with its intricate movements, vibrant costumes, and captivating music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

11. Wayang Wong Dance

The Wayang Wong dance is a traditional shadow puppet dance performed by men. The dance is a representation of Balinese culture, with its intricate movements, colorful puppets, and captivating music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

12. Janger Dance

The Janger dance is a traditional dance performed by women to celebrate special occasions. The dance is a beautiful representation of Balinese culture, with its elegant movements, intricate costumes, and soothing music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

13. Cendrawasih Dance

The Cendrawasih dance is a traditional dance that tells the story of the mythical bird of paradise. The dance is a beautiful representation of Balinese culture, with its intricate movements, vibrant costumes, and captivating music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

14. Oleg Tamulilingan Dance

The Oleg Tamulilingan dance is a traditional dance performed by men and women. The dance is a representation of Balinese culture, with its intricate movements, colorful costumes, and captivating music.

  • Where to watch: Ubud Palace, Tirtha Empul Temple, and the Bali Dance and Music Academy
  • Showtime: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Ubud Palace), 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Tirtha Empul Temple), and 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Bali Dance and Music Academy)

Tips for Watching Traditional Dance Shows in Bali

  • Arrive early to secure a good seat and get a glimpse of the pre-performance preparations.
  • Dress modestly and respectfully, as you would for a temple visit.
  • Be mindful of the cultural significance of the dance and refrain from taking flash photography or disrupting the performance.
  • Learn about the dance and its cultural context to appreciate the performance fully.
  • Consider taking a dance class or workshop to learn more about Balinese dance and culture.

In conclusion, Bali’s traditional dance shows are a vibrant and captivating representation of the island’s rich cultural heritage. From the elegant Legong dance to the mesmerizing Kecak Fire dance, each performance offers a unique glimpse into the island’s customs, traditions, and myths. Whether you’re a enthusiast, a dance lover, or simply looking for a unique experience, Bali’s traditional dance shows are a must-see

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