The gamelan begins in the darkness. Two hundred dancers emerge from behind the temple — warriors, demons, gods, and the monkey army of Hanuman — their movements lit by torchlight against towers that have stood for nine centuries. The ancient story of Rama and Sita unfolds without a single word of dialogue, told entirely through movement, music, and the extraordinary setting. There is nothing else like this in Southeast Asia.
The Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan is one of Java's defining cultural experiences — a spectacular open-air dance drama performed against the illuminated spires of the temple compound. Over 200 dancers and musicians bring the ancient Hindu epic to life with traditional Javanese choreography and a full gamelan orchestra. The Special Class ticket includes a numbered seat with clear sightlines and a complimentary drink.
| Price | €39 per person (Special Class, numbered seating) |
|---|---|
| Duration | ~1.5 hours |
| Start time | Doors 18:30, performance 19:30 |
| Venue | Trimurti Open-Air Theatre, Prambanan Temple Compound (moves indoors Nov–Apr wet season) |
| Cast | 200+ dancers & musicians with live gamelan orchestra |
| Includes | Numbered seat, complimentary soft drink |
| Performs | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday evenings |
| Cancellation | All sales final |
"Absolutely mesmerising. The dancers, the gamelan, the temple lit up behind them — it felt like stepping back a thousand years. My daughter was spellbound from start to finish."
"We've seen dance performances across Southeast Asia. Nothing compares. The scale, the setting, the precision of 200 dancers moving as one. A genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"The story of Rama and Sita told without words, with the ancient temple behind the stage — incredibly powerful. Even without understanding every detail, the emotion is universal."
Arriving early?
Explore Prambanan Temple before the show
The temple compound is open until 17:00. Arrive in the late afternoon, explore the Trimurti shrines and the Ramayana reliefs at golden hour, then stay for the ballet at dusk. The perfect Prambanan evening.
Book Temple Entry — €49pp →Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. Doors open at 18:30, performance begins at 19:30. Duration approximately 1.5 hours. Friday evenings feature a different show — Roro Jonggrang — which is not currently available through this site.
At the Trimurti open-air theatre within the Prambanan Temple compound. During the wet season (typically November to April) the performance moves to the adjacent indoor Trimurti Stage. If rain begins before showtime, the performance is relocated indoors automatically.
The Ramayana is one of the great Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It tells the story of Prince Rama's quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, aided by the monkey warrior Hanuman. The themes of duty, devotion and the triumph of good over evil have been central to Hindu, Buddhist and Javanese culture for over two thousand years. The ballet tells this story entirely through dance and music — no spoken dialogue.
Yes. The story is told through dance and gamelan music — no spoken dialogue — so language is no barrier. The costumes, masks and choreography are spectacular and engaging for all ages. A printed programme in English is available at the entrance.
All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable once we have purchased them on your behalf. The only exception is if we cannot secure your tickets, in which case we refund you in full within 24 hours.
Smart casual is fine. The open-air theatre can be cool in the evening breeze, so a light layer is recommended. Bring insect repellent for the outdoor performance.