Balinese dances are divided into three main categories, which then branch out to many different complex subcategories and types of performance.

Main Categories of Balinese Dance:
1. Wali, Sacred Dances
2. Bebali, Semi-Sacred
3. Balih-balihan, Entertainment Dances

As tourists, you’ll only be privy to the 2nd and 3rd category, but even though these dances are designated for the publics’ enjoyment they still mostly take place at temples, although not all of the Balih-balihan (entertainment dances) do.
Sub-Categories of Balinese Dance:

● Barong: the king of the spirits dance
● Baris: war dance
● Cendrawasih: the bird of paradise dance
● Condong, preface to Legong dance
● Legong, dance using facial expressions & complicated small movements
● Kecak: Ramayana monkey dance
● Janger, a sitting dance with swaying movements
● Pendet, a simple dance performed before making an offering at a temple
● Topeng, a mask dance
● & more!

After these categories, there are also certain performances (think, like how The Nutcracker is a type of ballet) of Indonesian Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Balinese dances are accompanied by the music of the Gamelan or Indonesian orchestra.
As you can see, there are a ton of different Balinese dances. This post will be focusing on the three of the most popular types to see in Ubud: the Legong and Barong Dances, and the Kecak Fire Dance.