The Ubud Palace Legong Dance is one of Bali’s most captivating cultural performances, held in the heart of Ubud at the historic Puri Saren Agung.
Hosted every night at 7:30 pm, the Ubud Palace is transformed into a courtyard with a dramatic stage, where talented Balinese dancers move in perfect harmony to the sounds of a live gamelan orchestra.
If you’re visiting Ubud, I highly recommend experiencing the Legong Dance show at Ubud Palace for a glimpse into Bali’s cultural heritage. Add this to your list of things to do in Ubud.
About the Ubud Palace Legong Dance
The Ubud Palace Legong Dance show features the classical Legong Dance with the backing sounds of a live gamelan orchestra. You’ll witness a mesmerizing blend of movement, music, and storytelling.
Dancers are dressed in intricately patterned silk sarongs with rich gold and vibrant colors like red and purple. The costumes’ standout piece is the extravagant golden headdresses which makes the dancers look ethereal.
The Legong Dance itself is not just about looking pretty. It tells epic tales from Balinese Mythology and historical legends. The most famous story performed during the Legong is about the adventures of a king, a kidnapping, and a lot of dramatic encounters that would put most soap operas to shame.
The fascinating aspect of the Ubud Palace Legong Dance is how deeply spiritual it is. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a form of devotion, an offering to the gods and a way to preserve Bali’s cultural identity.
The fact that it’s performed at Ubud Palace, a site that’s already quite steeped in history, which makes it all more profound.
- Location: Ubud Palace, Jl. Raya Ubud No.8
- Tickets: IDR 100k per person
- Time: Starts at 7:30 pm every night
- Duration: 1.5 hours
What is the Legong Dance?
Originating sometime in the 19th century as a dance for the royal courts, Legong Dance (pronounced Leh-gong) is a classical Balinese performance known for its elaborate gestures, intricate footwork, and highly expressive facial movements.
If you think Ballet is elegant, wait til you see a Legong dancer move – every flick of the wrist, every dart of the eyes, and every minuscule twitch of the fingers keeps you glued to the performance.
Unlike other dances that are more improvisational, the Ubud Palace Legong Dance is strictly choreographed and often performed by young girls who have trained for years to perfect their art form.
It is a mesmerizing spectacle of discipline, storytelling, and tradition – where the dancers embody celestial beings, mythical princesses, or tragic heroines., weaving an entire narrative through movement alone.
About Ubud Palace
Let’s talk about the setting. The Ubud Palace Legong Dance is performed in the courtyard of Puri Saren Agung, or simply Ubud Palace. It’s grand but intimate, with Balinese architectural elements popping out from every corner.
Ubud Palace takes on a completely different aura at night. The first thing you’ll notice is the dramatic glow of lanterns and flood lights aimed at the stage and the palace entrance, with trees hanging over the courtyard.
Ubud Palace is a place of history, culture, and architecture in the heart of Ubud. Don’t expect a massive, towering structure like something out of Europe, but more of an elegant royal compound with ornate stone carvings and grand entrance gates.
If you’re visiting in the day time, Ubud Palace is open to visitors for free. It’s quite a peaceful spot to explore despite being in the chaotic centre of Ubud.
Ubud Palace Legong Dance Tickets
Tickets to the Ubud Palace Legong Dance costs IDR 100,000 (about AUD $10 or USD $6.00). The price for adults and children are the same.
You can buy tickets anywhere online and will cost the same price at the door. Show your ticket at the main entrance to the courtyard and the staff will confirm your name on the list and let you in.
Roam around Jalan Raya Ubud anytime after 5:00 pm and you will find individuals selling tickets to the Ubud Palace Legong Dance on the street. These are the same prices as online so if you haven’t bought tickets as yet and you can choose to buy from them.
Ubud Day Tour
See the best of Ubud in a day with an Ubud Day Tour. This will take you to visit some of the most beautiful attractions in and around Ubud with a private car and driver.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel or villa in a comfortable, air-conditioned SUV driven by a friendly, English-speaking driver who will take you to visit Ubud’s attractions on your itinerary. Pick-up, drop-off, fuel, and 10-hours of allocated time are all included.
Pro Tips for Visiting
How to get to Ubud Palace
By Car
Book a private car and driver to take you to experience the Ubud Palace Legong Dance. You’ll be in the comfort of your own ride without having to stress about navigating Ubud’s traffic. We also have the private car and driver – half day hire for shorter trips.
By Scooter
If you’re renting a scooter in Bali, it’s quite easy to find Ubud Palace on your own. Keep in mind, the traffic can sometimes be congested in Central Ubud, so if this is your first time riding a scooter, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Pro tip: If you can’t find scooter parking, there is a small parking area in the alleyway near Oops Ubud Gelato. Drive all the way to the back and you will see some parked scooters. Parking should cost around IDR 5k. I’m not sure whether the guys are official parking guards or just some kids hanging out to score some extra cash.
By Public Bus
This is the most inconvenient way of getting to Ubud Palace but if for some reason you feel like going on an unnecessary adventure to save some cash, you can find a Teman Bus stop.
Final Thoughts
I’ve personally experience the Ubud Palace Legong Dance on several occasions, and each time I was blown away by the performance of these talented young women.
Even as someone who isn’t very “artsy,” I found myself captivated by every movement and sound. The performance brilliantly manages to capture and hold your attention for hours.
If you’re ever in Ubud during the evening, do yourself a favor: grab a ticket to the Ubud Palace Legong Dance and let the melodies and movements wash take you to another world.
FAQs about Ubud Palace Legong Dance
How much are tickets?
Tickets to the Ubud Palace Legong Dance cost IDR 100,000. You can buy them online or at the door.
What time does the show start?
The performance starts every night at 7:30 pm. I recommend arriving earlier to get good seats.
What is the entrance fee to Ubud Palace?
There is no entrance fee to Ubud Palace.
Can I buy food at Ubud Palace during the performance?
There’s not much food around exception a handful of walking vendors that sell soft drinks, small snacks, and beer. Price might be higher than in a store.
Can kids experience the Legong Dance?
They will love it! Just make sure they’re not too noisy and remain quite during the show.
Are there bathrooms at Ubud Palace?
Yes, you can easily find the bathrooms to the right of the stage. If no lucking find it, you can ask the gentlemen at the entrance.
Nearby Attractions
- Ubud Art Market – a vibrant traditional marketplace just opposite of Ubud Palace
- Ubud Water Palace – a small but beautiful temple with a lotus pond, walking distance from Ubud Palace
- Campuhan Ridge Walk – Ubud’s best trail. About 2km long for a nice morning hike to catch the sunrise.
- Blanco Museum – An art museum and former residence of the famed Antonio Blanco
- Pura Dalem Ubud – one of the best places in Ubud to catch a traditional Kecak Fire Dance.
- Ubud Monkey Forest – home to over a thousand monkeys and an ancient temple
- Goa Gajah – the Elephant cave, an ancient archaeological site just outside of Ubud.
Neil
I’ve been in Bali for so long I’ve grown roots (literally and metaphorically). For the past 10 years, I’ve experienced Bali from every angle. I’ve explored the temples, I’ve tried all the food, and I’m proudly fluent in the Indonesian language. I hope our website helps you get an authentic experience for your holiday in Bali, whether you’re here to enjoy the finer things in life, or to learn more about this Bali’s rich culture.
See also
Goa Gajah – The Elephant Cave: Info and Entrance Fees [2025]
Canang Sari Workshop – Learn how to make Balinese Offerings
Ubud Instagram Tour with Private Car and Photographer
