5 performing arts in Yogyakarta that you shouldn't miss

What you'll do

There are many ways to enjoy the uniqueness of every corner of Yogyakarta. However, there is one you might not have tried yet: watching cultural performances. From dance shows to ketoprak, all these performances can make your holiday plans even more impressive. Here are some art performances you can watch in Yogyakarta.

Your itinerary

1. Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan
Perhaps you have visited Prambanan Temple. But have you ever watched the Mahabharata epic live with Prambanan Temple as the backdrop? Try coming to the Trimurti Prambanan Stage on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday nights. The Ramayana Ballet is regularly held to amaze both domestic and international tourists. The Ramayana Ballet depicts Rama's struggle to rescue Dewi Sinta. This performance is divided into four acts, each lasting two hours. The grace of the dancers, accompanied by the effects of fire in front of the temple, can make the atmosphere more lively. To watch this performance, you need to purchase tickets starting from Rp150,000 per person. This price is certainly worth the quality of the international-class colossal attraction.

2. Ketoprak Performance at RRI Yogyakarta
East Java has ludruk performances. Meanwhile, Central Java and Yogyakarta have ketoprak. This ketoprak is not the typical Jakarta food but an art performance similar to wayang orang. Usually, ketoprak in Yogyakarta tells the stories of the Mataram Kingdom in Java. The ketoprak performers play their roles beautifully in traditional Javanese attire. There is also a gamelan orchestra and Javanese songs sung by the sinden. This humorous dialogue-packed performance can be watched live while on vacation in Yogyakarta. You can go directly to the RRI auditorium in the Mrican area on Wednesday at 7:30 PM for free. Besides at RRI, you can also watch this art performance at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta during the annual cultural event in Yogyakarta City.

3. Wayang Kulit at Sonobudoyo Museum
Wayang kulit is an original Indonesian art form recognized as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO. For some young people, this cultural attraction may be considered boring because of its long duration. However, it wouldn't hurt to watch it live while on vacation in Yogyakarta. You can watch wayang kulit performances at the Sonobudoyo Museum every Monday to Saturday. The ticket price is quite affordable, around Rp20,000. Unlike wayang performances held all night long, the wayang kulit at the museum only lasts two hours. The performance at the Sonobudoyo Museum features various interesting stories, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Each story is presented through dynamic wayang movements spiced with a bit of humor to keep it entertaining for the audience.

4. Sendratari at Kiskendo Cave
Another sendratari performance you can watch in Yogyakarta is the Sugriwa Subali performance held at the open stage of Kiskendo Cave, Kulon Progo. You can come here at 10:00 AM on Sundays in the third week of every month. The ticket price is relatively affordable, only Rp3,000. The Sugriwa Subali sendratari depicts the story of Sugriwa and Subali, who are siblings. They are ordered by the gods to rescue Dewi Tara. Instead of successfully saving the goddess, they end up fighting due to a misunderstanding. The dancers' ability to bring each character to life deserves appreciation. Interestingly, they throw produce like long beans, eggplants, and tomatoes towards the audience as an opening act.

5. Papermoon Puppet Theater
Another cultural attraction you shouldn't miss when visiting Yogyakarta is the Papermoon Puppet Theater, a puppet theater group from Bantul, Yogyakarta, established in 2006. This world-class theater has toured Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. The non-verbal theater performance is similar to a wayang show performed by a dalang. The difference lies in how the puppets are moved. Here, the dalang must use both hands and feet. Papermoon Puppet Theater performances are not held regularly like other shows. If you want to watch it live in Yogyakarta, you can visit their studio at certain times. The theater group will inform about their performances through their Instagram (@papermoonpuppet).



Those are some art performances you can watch while on vacation in Yogyakarta. Besides the five performances above, the City of Gudeg still holds many cultural attractions, such as gamelan karawitan and Javanese dance performances at the Yogyakarta Palace. So, are you interested in watching them live?