One of the most expressive forms of culture in Indonesia is traditional dance, representing stories, philosophies, regional identities, and spiritual expressions. Over the years, Jakarta has become a major stage for cultural festivals that celebrate the diversity of traditional dances across the archipelago.
Attending a traditional dance festival in Jakarta is not just about entertainment; it is an opportunity to experience Indonesia’s cultural beauty firsthand, through movements, music, costume, and storytelling.
Below are five major traditional dance festivals and cultural events in Jakarta that you need to know. Let’s explore together!
1. Jakarta International Performing Arts Festival (JIPAF)
The Jakarta International Performing Arts Festival, commonly known as JIPAF, is one of the most vibrant cultural events held in the heart of the capital. The festival brings together performers from various countries alongside Indonesian traditional dance groups, making it a true cultural exchange event.
This traditional dance festival in Jakarta usually takes place at iconic venues such as Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta Cultural Center, and public city parks to ensure accessibility for all.
What makes JIPAF special is its combination of traditional and contemporary performance art. Visitors often experience traditional dances like Saman, Jaipong, and Legong performed alongside international folk dances, allowing audiences to explore similarities and differences in movement, rhythm, and cultural themes.
The festival also offers workshops, discussion panels, and collaborative performances where artists from different countries create fusion pieces.
For cultural tourism enthusiasts, JIPAF serves as a window into Indonesia’s position in global art. It shows how traditional culture can remain relevant while inspiring modern creativity. In addition, the festival helps young dancers gain global exposure and encourages younger generations to preserve cultural heritage.
Whether you are a local resident or a traveler, JIPAF is one of the best opportunities to witness the beauty and richness of traditional dance in Jakarta.
2. Jakarta Arts Festival (Festival Seni Jakarta)
The Jakarta Arts Festival is one of the city’s longest-running cultural celebrations. Hosted annually, the festival features a wide range of artistic expressions including visual arts, theater, traditional music, and of course, traditional dance. It reflects Jakarta’s cultural diversity and emphasizes the importance of preserving local heritage amidst rapid urban development.
One of the highlights of this traditional dance festival in Jakarta is its dedicated performance stage for Betawi traditional dances, such as Tari Topeng Betawi and Tari Lenggang Nyai.
These dances represent the cultural soul of Jakarta itself, telling stories of the city’s historical communities, social traditions, and everyday life.
The festival also invites performers from regions across Indonesia, showcasing dances like Tari Piring (West Sumatra), Kecak (Bali), and Reog Ponorogo (East Java), and often collaborates with cultural centers, schools, and community groups to organize workshops and interactive sessions.
Visitors can learn dance movements, try traditional costumes, or understand the symbolism behind each choreography.
What makes the Jakarta Arts Festival meaningful is its focus on cultural education. It ensures that traditional art remains familiar to new generations, keeping cultural roots strong even as Jakarta continues to grow as a global city.
3. Betawi Cultural Festival (Festival Budaya Betawi – Setu Babakan)
Held in the Betawi Cultural Village in Setu Babakan, this festival is dedicated to celebrating and preserving Betawi heritage, the native culture of Jakarta. The Betawi Cultural Festival is one of the most authentic traditional dance festival in Jakarta, highlighting not only dance but also traditional costumes, culinary traditions, language, and performing arts such as lenong and gamelan khas Betawi.
The festival features iconic Betawi dances including:
- Tari Topeng
- Tari Cokek
- Tari Yapong
Each dance carries significant historical and cultural meanings, often showcasing expressive gestures, dynamic rhythms, and colorful costumes that represent Betawi identity. Performances are accompanied by traditional instruments such as gambang kromong and tanjidor music ensembles, making the cultural experience complete and immersive.
Visitors can explore cultural exhibitions, try traditional Betawi foods like kerak telor and soto Betawi, and interact with local cultural communities. This traditional dance festival in Jakarta promotes cultural pride among Betawi youth and helps introduce their traditions to international visitors.
If you want to experience Jakarta’s original cultural roots, the Betawi Cultural Festival provides a welcoming and lively atmosphere where culture is celebrated openly and joyfully.
4. Indonesia Dance Festival (IDF)
The Indonesia Dance Festival (IDF) is one of the most respected dance events in Southeast Asia, held biennially in Jakarta. While it features contemporary dance as a strong focus, IDF has consistently supported traditional dance through reinterpretation, preservation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The festival serves as a platform for choreographers, researchers, and cultural practitioners to explore the past, present, and future of Indonesian dance. This traditional dance festival in Jakarta also invites performers from different provinces to present authentic traditional dance forms without modification, ensuring cultural heritage remains preserved.
Workshops, panel discussions, artist residencies, and educational programs make IDF an important cultural academy, not just a performance event. It inspires young dancers to appreciate tradition while exploring their own creative identities.
For anyone who loves cultural depth, IDF offers something unforgettable.
5. Pekan Kebudayaan Nasional (National Culture Week)
Pekan Kebudayaan Nasional is a large-scale cultural celebration hosted annually in Jakarta, bringing together cultural communities from across Indonesia. It covers every aspect of Indonesian heritage from traditional dances and music to craft exhibitions, storytelling sessions, and regional culinary showcases.
Traditional dance performances during Pekan Kebudayaan Nasional are particularly rich, representing the diversity and unity of Indonesia’s many ethnic groups. The festival often includes mass dance performances involving hundreds of participants, symbolizing unity in diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika).
Workshops allow visitors to learn dance techniques directly from cultural masters, making this traditional dance festival in Jakarta interactive and educational.
The event is not just a performance venue; it is also a cultural dialogue platform where traditions meet modern perspectives. It highlights the importance of cultural preservation as part of national identity.
For visitors, this festival offers a full cultural journey in one location, making it one of the most significant traditional dance festival in Jakarta.
Also Read: 9 Fun Things to Do in Jakarta with Kids for Family Trip
Each festival offers a unique cultural experience from Betawi heritage to nationwide artistic exchange. If you want to understand Indonesia beyond its cities and landmarks, attending a traditional dance festival in Jakarta is one of the best ways to feel the living soul of its heritage.
If you are planning to attend various traditional dance festival in Jakarta, staying at Ashley Hotel Jakarta brings you closer to the cultural heart of the city. Conveniently located near major cultural venues, the hotel offers elegant rooms, modern facilities, and warm hospitality.
You can easily access event locations, comfortable rest after a day of exploration, high-speed Wi-Fi, and stylish dining spaces inside of our property. We combine comfort and city convenience, making it the perfect stay for cultural travelers like you.
Let’s do not miss the experience, stay at Ashley Hotel. Visit us today!