Prambanan is a stunning place where the largest Hindu dynasty once ruled. Besides exploring the temple and sanctuary, you can also enjoy another great activity while visiting. Watching the live Ramayana Ballet performance is a wonderful way to spend an evening in Prambanan.
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The Ramayana Ballet is a traditional Javanese dance, combined with live music and Gamelan, that tells the famous story of love, loyalty, and battle, well-known in Javanese culture. If you have seen the Kecak Dance in Bali, you’ll notice some similarities. Still, the Ramayana Ballet has its own unique charm. It’s a must-see when you visit Yogyakarta. We’re excited to share more details and practical tips for your visit!
The Magical Performance of Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Temple
The Ramayana Ballet is just west of the Prambanan Temple, right beside the Rama Shinta Garden Restaurant and the Opak River. The show mostly takes place on an open-air stage with Prambanan Temple as its stunning backdrop. The performance is truly enchanting. If you visit during the dry season or summer, you can watch the show under a clear night sky and take in the temple’s beautiful view. Here’s some general information about the show:
| Location | Ramayana Ballet Prambanan, Klurak, Tamanmartani, Kalasan, Sleman Regency |
| Type of Venue | Trimurti Indoor Theatre Ramayana Open Air Stage Riverfront Amphitheatre Open Air Stage |
| Days | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday |
| Show Time | 7.30 PM – 9.30 PM |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Entrance Ticket | Start from IDR150.000 |
In Javanese, the Ramayana Ballet is part of the Javanese Wayang Wong tradition (a traditional dance performance) that combines dance, drama, and Gamelan music. In Indonesia, the Ramayana dance was first performed on July 26, 1961, at an open-air stage at Prambanan Temple, with hundreds of people participating.
Story of Ramayana Ballet
The Ramayana Ballet story is a Hindu urban legend that was adapted to Javanese culture and tradition. Every performance featured more than 200 professional dancers and local musicians. There are 3 kinds of stories performed in different types of venues. Here’s a summary of all the stories:
| Ramayana Prambanan | The Ramayana Ballet opens with a contest to choose a husband for Dewi Sinta, which Rama Wijaya, the prince of Ayodya, wins. After this, Rama, Sinta, and Laksmana journey through the Dandaka Forest. The story ends when Rama defeats Ravana with his arrow. Although Rama and Sinta are reunited, Rama questions Sinta’s purity. To prove her loyalty, Sinta steps into a fire and emerges unharmed, demonstrating that she is still pure. Finally, Rama and Sinta are reunited. |
| Roro Jonggrang | Bandung Bondowoso met a beautiful princess named Roro Jonggrang and immediately fell in love with her. Later, Roro Jonggrang found out that Bandung Bondowoso was responsible for her father’s death. To avoid marrying him, she said he must build 1,000 temples in one night if he truly wanted to marry her. Bandung Bondowoso agreed and called on ghost soldiers to help build the temples. However, he could not finish before sunrise, so he did not marry Roro Jonggrang. |
| Shinta Obong | After Rama defeated the Alengka Kingdom and killed Prabu Dasamuka, he rescued his wife, Shinta. Soon after, a conflict arose because Rama questioned whether Shinta was still pure. To prove herself, Shinta decided to face a trial by fire. If she were burned, it would confirm Rama’s doubts, but if she were unharmed, it would show her purification. |
Ramayana Ballet Schedule in 2026
Here’s the updated schedule of Ramayana Ballet in 2026:
Ramayana Ballet Performance
Indoor
| Trimurti Indoor Theatre | |
| Month | Date |
| January | 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 |
| February | 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 |
| March | 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22-26, 28, 31 |
| April | 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 |
| November | 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 |
| December | 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26-31 |
Outdoor
| Open Air Outdoor Theatre | |
| Month | Date |
| May | 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30 |
| June | 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30 |
| July | 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 |
| August | 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29 |
| September | 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 |
| October | 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 |
The Story of Roro Jonggrang
| Month | Date |
| January | 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
| February | 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| March | 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| April | 3, 10, 17, 24 |
| May | 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
| June | 5, 12, 19, 26 |
| July | 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
| August | 7, 14, 21, 28 |
| September | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
| October | 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
| November | 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| December | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
Shinta Obong
| Time | Date |
| Weekly | Every Friday |
Practical and Updated Information
If you’re interested in seeing the Ramayana Ballet, here’s the latest information on ticket prices and where to buy them. We’ve collected the most recent details for all seating categories below.
Ticket Ramayana Ballet
Ramayana Ballet
| Regular Weekday | |||
| Categories | Outdoor Price(Open Air Stage) | Indoor Price (Trimurti Theatre) | Benefit |
| VIP | IDR450.000 | – | Snack & Beverages |
| Special | IDR350.000 | IDR350.000 | Beverages |
| Class I | IDR200.000 | IDR200.000 | |
| Class II | IDR150.000 | IDR150.000 | |
| Domestic Students (Min. 50 pax students) | IDR75.000 | IDR75.000 | |
The Story of Roro Jonggrang
| Categories | Price(Trimurti Theatre) | Benefit |
| Special | IDR250.000 | Beverage |
| Class I | IDR150.000 | |
| Class II | IDR100.000 | |
| Domestic Students (Min. 50 pax students) | IDR75.000 |
Seating
Here is the update of the seating plan in Ramayana Ballet Prambanan:
Open Air Stage Seat Plan
Trimurti Theatre Seat Plan
Is Ramayana Ballet Prambanan Worth Visiting This Year?
If you’re in Yogyakarta and want to experience local culture and traditions, Ramayana Ballet Prambanan is definitely worth a visit. It’s a great choice for anyone who enjoys musical or traditional performances. The live show is very entertaining, featuring impressive stage effects, including fire dances, creative lighting, and props that draw the audience into the story. The performance also feels romantic, since much of the story centers on love.