Sight guide · Ubud · Indonesia
Visiting Kecak and Legong performances
Each evening several venues stage traditional dance: Legong and Barong with gamelan orchestras at the palace, and the Kecak fire dance, performed by a circle of chanting men, at Pura Dalem Ubud on Jalan Raya Ubud and in nearby villages.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rollan Budi from Kuta, Bali,, Indonesia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Kecak and Legong performances is an experience in Central Ubud, Ubud. Allow 1.5 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Experience
- Area
- Central Ubud
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- after dark, history and kids
- Best months
- April–May and October
About Kecak and Legong performances
Each evening several venues stage traditional dance: Legong and Barong with gamelan orchestras at the palace, and the Kecak fire dance, performed by a circle of chanting men, at Pura Dalem Ubud on Jalan Raya Ubud and in nearby villages. A programme board at the tourist office on Jalan Raya lists who is performing where.
Tip: Kecak shows often end with a trance dancer kicking through burning coconut husks; sit to the side rather than in the front row.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Central Ubud, palace, market and the crossroads of Jalan Raya Ubud and Monkey Forest Road.
Best time to visit Kecak and Legong performances
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Ubud has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Ubud itinerary visits Kecak and Legong performances on day 1, together with Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung).
- No. 5 of the 19 sights in our Ubud things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Ubud.
- A family favourite in Ubud with kids.
Near Kecak and Legong performances
Also in Central Ubud, so you can walk between them:
- Ubud Art Market — 1 hour, free
- Museum Puri Lukisan — 1 hour, low cost
- Subak Sok Wayah rice-field walk — 1–2 hours, free
If you like Kecak and Legong performances
- ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art) — Pengosekan, 1.5 hours
- Balinese cooking class — Ubud villages, 4–5 hours
- The Yoga Barn — Pengosekan, 1.5 hours
Staying near Kecak and Legong performances
Stay in Central Ubud ($$) to walk here: palace, market and the crossroads of Jalan Raya Ubud and Monkey Forest Road. All areas to stay in Ubud.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Kecak and Legong performances?
Plan 1.5 hours. With Ubud Art Market nearby, it fits a half-day in Central Ubud.
+Is Kecak and Legong performances free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Kecak and Legong performances?
April–May and October, the quietest of the good months. Kecak shows often end with a trance dancer kicking through burning coconut husks; sit to the side rather than in the front row.
+Do I need to book Kecak and Legong performances in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Kecak and Legong performances good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Ubud. Ubud suits families with children who enjoy animals, dance and the outdoors: the Monkey Forest, a bird park, waterfalls and evening Barong dances with their lion-like costumes.