You may have heard of the Royal Palace in Ubud, which hosts cultural night shows and concerts in Bali's stunning royal palace. Don't miss out on watching the incredible Legong Dance and Ramayana performances. You will be stunned by the energetic dancing performance and the exhilarating music. Keep reading to learn everything about Royal Palace Cultural Night Performances in Ubud.

Royal Palace Ubud Overview

Ubud Palace is an architectural masterpiece filled with historical sculptures and old inscriptions. Because it is still the Royal home, only the front portion of the vast palace is available to visitors. Every evening at 7:30 pm, Ubud Palace comes to life with a traditional Balinese dance performance.

The Ubud Palace was built in the 19th century by Emperor Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel. The construction was completed in 1823, and the palace served as a royal residence for the royal family. The front part of the palace, with its sculptures, lush lawns, and carvings, provides a spectacle to behold. The palace remains busy as it hosts plenty of art, music, and literature events at the international level.

Royal Palace cultural night performances Ubud timings

Regular dancing shows and performances are presented in the grand square of Ubud Palace. It features a variety of Balinese dance performances such as Legong and a variety of classic Hindu mythology stories including Ramayana. These dance shows are popular among tourists in Ubud. Here is the best time to visit the Royal Palace cultural night performances Ubud 2023.

• Sunday at 6:30 pm: Mahabharata at Royal Palace Ubud
• Monday at 6:30 pm: Legong Dance at Royal Palace Ubud
• Tuesday at 6:30 pm: The Ramayana Ballet at Royal Palace Ubud
• Thursday at 6:30 pm: Paradise Dance and Legong Trance at Royal Palace Ubud
• Friday at 6:30 pm: Barong Dance at Royal Palace Ubud
• Saturday at 6:30 pm: Legong Dance at Royal Palace Ubud

Royal Palace Cultural Night Dance Performances 2023

Here is a list of cultural events and dance performances at the Royal Palace Ubud.

Legong Dance

The Legong Night in Puri Saren Ubud palace is unique with its calm ambiance, bright night sky, and sophisticated stage lighting. This special Legong night marks the beginning of something special: the Legong dance. The crowd enjoys and lauds the performance as the dancers and musicians play. The performance begins at 7:30 pm, and it is important to arrive early to get a seat with a comfortable view.

The Friday night in Ubud is a Legong night, which includes the Legong dance and mask dance. Legong is regarded as the traditional Balinese dance because of its similarity with the choreography of other Balinese dances. During the rule of Prince Sukawati in the mid-nineteenth century, Legong was performed in Bali. When the prince fell ill, he dreamed of two females dancing gracefully on harmonious tones. When he awakened, he recalled his dream and devised this novel dance.

Topeng Dance

Lovely masks and complex storytelling characterize the topeng dance performance at Ubud Palace. The Topeng dance is derived from a religious Topeng Telek dance performed solely at temples. The dancers dress in long-sleeved costumes overlaid with colorful cloth to form a shield with a traditional Balinese dagger tucked inside. The performers wield a fan in their right hand as they dance. The dancers elaborate the Balinese folklore while wearing colorful masks representing different characters, and the myths just seem to be coming to real life.

Ramayana Ballet

The Ramayana ballet performance involves storytelling of the battle of good and evil with a song and dance. Ramayana describes the battle of Ram with Ravan to free his wife Sita. The performers wear masks to represent the characters of Lord Ram, his wife Sita, and Ravan. The Balinese dancers' skilled choreography comes into play and brings the epic battle of Lord Rama with Ravana into real life.

Barong Dance

The barong dance features storytelling of a conflict between good and evil in the form of a forest lord and a witch. Barong dance performance needs a large number of performers as well as a Balinese priest. The battle takes place between a Barong and a Rangda. Rangda is derived from the term Randa, which means widow. Barong represents a lion-like beast that symbolizes good. It's about a Balinese village guardian.

Royal Palace Ubud nearby attractions

Apart from attending Royal Palace cultural night performances in Ubud, there are many other things to do in Ubud. Royal Palace is located in the center of the town, and you can easily access the nearby attractions such as:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
• Campuhan Ridge Walk
• Neka Art Museum
• Saraswati Temple
• Tegenungan Waterfall
• Elephant Cave
• Gunung Lebah Temple
• Ubud Traditional Art Market

Best Places to stay in Ubud

If you plan to stay in Ubud to explore this beautiful town, here are the best places to stay in Ubud;

• The Samaya Bali Ubud
• Komaneka at Bisma
• The Udaya Resorts and Spa
• Como Uma Ubud
• The Royal Pita Maha
• Kamandalu Ubud
• Dawaraka the Royal Villas

How to reach the Royal Palace Ubud for cultural night performances?

The Ubud Palace is nestled in Ubud's town center. You can reach the Royal Palace by a few minutes walk from the Ubud market. It takes a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from the far area of Ubud. If you are coming by air, the Royal Palace Ubud is 39 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can reach the Ubud Palace via a taxi by a 50-minute drive.

Conclusion

The Royal Palace in Ubud is a must-visit place for cultural enthusiasts. Every evening, this 19th-century palace has its walls resonating with lively music and traditional dancing performances by young groups from local communities. So, whether you are a cultural connoisseur or a dance enthusiast, watch Royal Palace Cultural Night Performances in Ubud on a weekend getaway.