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
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!…
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…
South Jakarta
Nautilus is a bold, classic European-versus-Asian-bling drinking lounge at the Four Seasons hotel. Upon entering, you're drawn to the striking mural of…
South Jakarta
Walk through the Aksara bookshop, then rub shoulders with Jakarta's artistic community at this hidden cinema, which hosts independent short and fringe…
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…
Jakarta
Jakarta's premier cultural centre has a great selection of cinemas, theatres and exhibition spaces. Performances (such as Sundanese dance and gamelan…
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)…
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…
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…
South Jakarta
Indonesia's largest stadium was completed in 1962. Since then it's had a few rebuildings and is presently used for football matches – especially by…
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…
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,…
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…
East Java
Sumenep is a centre for champion bull breeding, and on most Saturday mornings bull races can be seen at the Giling stadium.
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…
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…
South Jakarta
Inside the swanky Fairmont hotel, this dark and cavernous venue hosts live jazz, pop, funk, world music, classical and more on a regular basis. You can…
Semarang
For traditional entertainment, this leafy park (a former zoo) holds wayang orang theatre performances every Saturday from 7pm to midnight, and wayang…
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…
Bandung
Hosts enjoyable, if not entirely authentic, angklung (bamboo musical instrument) performances daily in a Sundanese cultural centre that also features…
Jakarta
Next to the Taman Ismail Marzuki centre, this inexpensive movie theatre shows the latest Western blockbusters in English with Indonesian subtitles.
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…
Solo
This cultural centre hosts all-night wayang kulit (shadow-puppet) performances; private dance lessons are also available.
Yogyakarta
An intimate bar and one of the city’s key live-music venues. There are bands most nights from 9pm.
