Central Java
Held at the outdoor theatre just west of the main Prambanan temple complex, the famous Ramayana Ballet is Java’s most spectacular dance-drama troupe. The…
Must-see entertainment in Java
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Solo
The theatre in this vacant plot (formerly an amusement park now undergoing redevelopment) is the unlikely venue of one of the best shows in Java!…
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Bandung
In the southern part of the city about 3km from the centre, this is a school for traditional Sundanese arts – music, dancing and pencak silat (martial…
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Jakarta
If you've never had a VIP cinema experience, this is the place to do it. Gold class has a premium lounge, reclining chairs and waiter service (you can buy…
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Jakarta
Jakarta's premier cultural centre has a great selection of cinemas, theatres and exhibition spaces. Performances (such as Sundanese dance and gamelan…
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Malang
Malang’s cultural and recreational park has a hectically busy swimming pool and children’s playground and some quirky events. Kuda lumping (horse trance)…
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Jakarta
Despite the name, this is not a particularly family friendly place. Although kids are welcome, it can get pretty boozy. The dozens of private karaoke…
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Jakarta
Those wanting to tap into Jakarta's underground music scene can head to this grungy venue which hosts local punk, metal, indie and hip hop gigs most…
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Yogyakarta
It calls itself an art and coffee shop, but this split-level grungy venue is more like a restaurant and bar. Frequent live bands play here from 9pm…
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Yogyakarta
A fairly standard pub, but worth dropping in for the live music. Bands play from 8pm and feature acoustic music on Mondays, the Top 40 on Tuesdays,…
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Yogyakarta
Nightly traditional dance performances of the Ramayana at 8pm, which go on for around 1½ hours. You can dine here and watch the show (600,000Rp). To watch…
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East Java
Sumenep is a centre for champion bull breeding, and on most Saturday mornings bull races can be seen at the Giling stadium.
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Jakarta
Housed in a historic theatre (the oldest in Jakarta), this plush cinema with gold trim is worth a visit. It shows Western movies in English. There's a…
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Yogyakarta
Popular two-hour performances held most nights; the first half-hour involves the reading of the story in Javanese, so most travellers skip this and arrive…
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Semarang
For traditional entertainment, this leafy park (a former zoo) holds wayang orang theatre performances every Saturday from 7pm to midnight, and wayang…
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Jakarta
A huge and grand concert hall in a slightly removed location, this private facility is the work of Stephen Tong, a Chinese-American evangelist. The venue…
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Bandung
Hosts enjoyable, if not entirely authentic, angklung (bamboo musical instrument) performances daily in a Sundanese cultural centre that also features…
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Jakarta
Next to the Taman Ismail Marzuki centre, this inexpensive movie theatre shows the latest Western blockbusters in English with Indonesian subtitles.
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Surabaya
This large cinema complex, inside the Tunjungan Plaza mall, shows recent Hollywood releases in English as well as a massive array of Asian flicks. Good…
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Solo
This cultural centre hosts all-night wayang kulit (shadow-puppet) performances; private dance lessons are also available.
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Yogyakarta
An intimate bar and one of the city’s key live-music venues. There are bands most nights from 9pm.
