Our Top 5 Traditional Music and Dance Shows, Worldwide

1.Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Board at Akadémia 2 ponton for an evening cruise past Parliament, Buda Castle, the bridges, and Gellért Baths. Choose a buffet dinner, Gulyás and lángos, or Wine&Dine option, then enjoy live folk music and a Hungarian dance show. The cruise runs about 90 minutes and returns to the starting dock.

“The buffet variety was good, and the dancers and musicians were very entertaining. The scenery during the cruise was beautiful, and all the lights were magical.”

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2.Dinner Cruise with Live Music and Folk Dance Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,090 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $93

Spend 1.5 hours aboard a historic Danube ship with a warm Hungarian buffet, welcome drink, live music from three Rajkó Folk Orchestra musicians, and a folk dance show. From Akadémia dock 2, you pass Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Gellért Hill, and the National Theatre.

“Excellent cruise with great food and an awesome show and music. A highlight was a Chinese guest playing the violin so well with the band for one song. Highly recommend this cruise.”

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3.Hungarian Folk Dance & Concert with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 786 reviews · 1h 20m · from $22Best value

Spend an evening with the Rajkó Folk Ensemble, a professional group founded in 1950. You’ll see two 30-minute sets of Hungarian folk music, dance, and changing costumes, with a 20-minute break. Choose a show-only ticket or add a welcome drink, soup, or three-course dinner at the Hungarian Gastro Cellar.

“Fantastic! The musicians and dancers were amazing and we had front row seats, which was incredible. Worth every penny and we enjoyed our welcome drinks, Prosecco and apple juice too. Highly recommend.”

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4.Japanese Traditional Music Show in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 1 hour · from $38Top rated

At ZAKURO SHOW in Harajuku, you sit close to musicians in kimono as they play koto, shamisen, shakuhachi, and taiko. An English and Japanese host explains the instruments, their origins, and each piece. The one-hour program mixes old and modern Japanese music with a western hit, and you may take photos and meet the musicians afterward.

“Live traditional music played by talented musicians who have mastered their craft. The presenter/host has also mastered their craft doing an incredible job of translating and making us feel informed and comfortable. The lessons about each instrument were thoughtfully interspersed between musical pieces. This feels like a hidden gem which if enough people knew about it would have to be scaled up, so book this while it retains its magic - I hope it’s magic never runs out.”

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5.City tour all included, traditional music and dance concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 7 hours · from $85

Spend about seven hours touring Ulaanbaatar with an English or Korean-speaking guide, hotel pickup, lunch, museum and monastery entry, Chinggis Square, Narantuul Market, and the State Department Store. Guides such as Tom, Sara, and Angarag are named in guest feedback. Add the Nomadic Legend folk performance for 60,000 MNT.

“Great tour! Sara my tour guide was so highly knowledgeable and I really enjoyed our conversations. She answered all my curious questions about Mongolia like an expert. There was so much to learn about Mongolia and this country's history really amazed me. I recommend this tour if you want to explore more of the city.”

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