Fifty dancers. One stage. Every corner of the Indonesian archipelago represented in a single afternoon — that's what's waiting for you this Sunday at Grand Indonesia.

Pagelaran Sabang Merauke – The Audition 2026 wraps up its Grand Final on Sunday, 26 April 2026, at the Main Atrium of Grand Indonesia East Mall, Jakarta. Running from 10.30 to 19.00 WIB, the event is free and open to the public. The show is the culmination of a nationwide audition that searched for Indonesia's best traditional dancers from Sabang in Aceh all the way to Merauke in Papua — hence the name.

What Is Pagelaran Sabang Merauke ?

Pagelaran Sabang Merauke is an annual national traditional dance competition and cultural showcase produced under the tagline "Hanya Indonesia Yang Punya" — "Only Indonesia Has This". Presented by 1FORTE and Bank BCA, the 2026 edition ran its audition phase across multiple cities before selecting 50 of the strongest dancers to compete in the Grand Final. The event is part performance, part preservation — a platform that brings regional dance forms out of village ceremonies and onto a national stage.

This year, more than just a competition, The Audition 2026 feels like a cultural flashpoint. The air inside a packed mall atrium, buzzing with gamelan rhythms and the rustle of batik and beaded costumes, carries a weight that a regular pop concert simply doesn't.

Who Are the Judges at The Audition 2026?

The judging panel is one of the strongest the event has assembled. Raisa, one of Indonesia's most celebrated pop vocalists, brings a performer's eye to the evaluation. Alongside her: Giok Hartono (arts observer), Rusmedie Agus (sutradara/director), Pulung Jati (choreographer), and Sandhidea (choreographer). The caption also mentions Dian Bokir as part of the jury lineup.

Five judges with five different lenses — the 50 finalists will need more than technique to impress this room.

Why Should You Go?

Here's the counterintuitive part: this is not a ticketed gala. It's free. A fully produced national dance competition with professional lighting, costumed performers, and a celebrity jury panel — sitting inside a shopping mall, open to anyone who walks through the door.

For Jakarta's young professionals and culture lovers, events like this are rare. Traditional Indonesian dance is often locked behind premium cultural venues or state ceremonies. Pagelaran Sabang Merauke tears down that wall and puts the art in front of everyday foot traffic.