Kandyan Cultural Dance Show
A 1-hour evening show of traditional Kandyan dance in Kandy, with drummers, acrobatic dancers in silver costumes, masked low-country dances and a fire-walking finale. An easy, colourful introduction to Sri Lankan culture.
- Location: Kandy
- Duration: 1–2 Hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best time: Shows run every evening, all year, usually starting around 5:00–5:30 pm. Arrive 20–30 minutes early for good seats. Pair it with the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
About this experience
The Kandyan Cultural Dance Show is a 1 to 2 hour evening outing in Kandy to see a performance of Sri Lanka's traditional dance and drumming. Kandyan dance comes from the royal court and temple rituals of the hill-country kingdom and is now the country's national dance form. The show suits all ages. What will you see? - Ves dance – the most famous Kandyan dance, performed in an elaborate silver headdress and costume once reserved for sacred rituals. - Drumming on the geta bera, the double-headed Kandyan drum. - Naiyandi, Udekki and Pantheru dances, using small drums and tambourine-like instruments. - Low-country (southern) mask dances, linked to healing rituals. - A fire-eating and fire-walking finale. How long is the show? About one hour. Shows usually start around 5:00 to 5:30 pm, so you can combine it with the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth. Where are the shows held? At cultural halls close to Kandy Lake, a few minutes from the Temple of the Tooth. Is it worth seeing? Yes, especially if you won't be in Kandy for the Esala Perahera festival in July or August, when these dancers perform in the procession. How far is Kandy from Colombo and Sigiriya? About 115 km from Colombo (3 to 3.5 hours) and 90 km from Sigiriya (2.5 hours). Why book with Figo Holidays? Figo Holidays is a Colombo-based destination management company running private tours across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We arrange private transport, licensed guides and timings that avoid the heat and crowds, and build this experience into a tailor-made itinerary.Highlights
- Traditional Kandyan Ves dance
- Geta bera drumming
- Low-country mask dances
- Acrobatic dance performances
- Fire-walking finale
- Close to the Temple of the Tooth
- Great for all ages
Travel tips
Arrive early for front-row seats and better photos. Flash is usually allowed but check with staff. Keep a safe distance during the fire-walking finale. Buy tickets at the venue or let your guide arrange them.