You’ve seen the videos. A macaque riding a tiny bicycle or a chimpanzee in a tuxedo doing a comedy skit. It looks like harmless fun until you’re actually there, standing in the heat, wondering if you missed the start time or if the "show" is even something you should be supporting. People search for monkey show times because they want that iconic vacation photo. But here’s the thing: the world of primate entertainment is changing fast. In 2026, the "show" isn't always a scheduled performance on a stage; often, it's a window into a complex, wild world that doesn't run on a Swiss watch.
Honestly, if you're looking for a rigid 10:00 AM kickoff, you're likely heading to a traditional zoo or a specific "Monkey Theatre." But the best experiences—the ones that actually stay with you—happen when the monkeys decide the schedule.
The Big Ones: Where and When to Catch the Action
If you are dead set on seeing specific performances or organized feeding frenzies, you need to know where to go. Different countries handle this very differently. Thailand is the heavy hitter here, but Japan and Bali have their own versions of "showtime."
Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival (Thailand)
This is the "Super Bowl" of monkey events. It happens once a year. If you aren't there on the last Sunday of November, you missed it. For 2026, mark your calendar for Sunday, November 29th.
The "show" here is basically a giant food fight. Local residents lay out over two tons of fruit, vegetables, and even soda for thousands of long-tailed macaques. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s definitely not a seated performance.
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- 10:00 AM: The Opening Ceremony (usually involves human dancers before the monkeys take over).
- 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM: These are the primary "feeding times" where new batches of food are brought out.
Safari World Bangkok
If you want the more "theatrical" style—monkeys doing stunts—Safari World is the primary spot. Their Orangutan Boxing Show is famous (and controversial).
- Weekdays: Usually starts around 10:20 AM.
- Weekends/Holidays: They often add a second show in the afternoon, typically around 3:45 PM.
Check the board at the entrance. Seriously. Times shift based on tourist volume.
Ubud Monkey Forest (Bali)
There is no "show" here in the sense of tricks. The monkeys are the residents, and you are the guest. However, if you want to see them at their most active, you need to sync with their natural rhythms.
The forest is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The "show" here is the feeding. Staff move through the grounds throughout the day, but the most intense activity is usually right at opening (9:00 AM) and again around 3:00 PM. If you want that "monkey selfie," you buy a voucher (usually around IDR 50,000) and a staff member helps position a monkey near your phone. It's a choreographed bit of chaos that runs all day.
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Why "Show Times" are a Moving Target
Wild animals don't care about your itinerary. In places like the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Japan, the "show" is just monkeys sitting in hot springs.
In winter (November to March), they are usually there from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
In summer? They might not show up at all. They’re off in the forest foraging. You can hike all the way up there and find an empty pool.
The Arashiyama Monkey Park in Kyoto is similar. They open at 9:00 AM, but if the monkeys decide to stay in the trees that day, the staff might close the park early at 4:00 PM instead of 4:30 PM. It’s basically their house, their rules.
The Ethics Shift: What’s Different in 2026?
We have to talk about the elephant—or rather, the ape—in the room.
Traditional monkey shows where animals wear clothes or perform tricks are disappearing. Animal rights groups like PETA and WAP (World Animal Protection) have been leaning hard on travel platforms to stop selling tickets to these events.
Because of this, many venues have rebranded. What used to be a "Monkey Show" might now be called a "Primate Educational Talk."
At Monkey World in Dorset, UK, for example, you won't see any tricks. You’ll see "Keeper Talks."
- 12:30 PM: Chimpanzee Talk
- 1:30 PM: Orangutan Talk
- 2:30 PM: Gibbon Talk
These are the new "show times." You learn about rescue efforts while watching the animals live like... well, animals. It’s less "circus" and more "documentary."
Survival Tips for the "Show"
Monkeys are fast. They are also opportunistic thieves.
If you’re going to a show, especially in Lopburi or Ubud, empty your pockets.
I’ve seen a macaque unzip a backpack in three seconds. They don't want your wallet; they want the granola bar you forgot was in the side pocket.
- No Sunglasses: They love shiny things. If they grab them, they're gone.
- No Eye Contact: In monkey language, a stare is a challenge. Blink, look away, be cool.
- Hands Off: Unless a keeper tells you it's okay, don't touch. A monkey "smile" is actually a display of teeth meant to warn you to back off.
Moving Beyond the Performance
The reality of monkey show times is that the best moments are the unscripted ones. Watching a mother macaque groom her baby at the Ape Rescue Centre or seeing the Barbary macaques at Trentham Monkey Forest (UK) navigate the trees is far more "human" than a monkey on a bike.
If you're planning a trip, aim for the first hour of opening. The animals are fresh, the crowds are thin, and the temperature is lower. By 2:00 PM, most monkeys in tropical climates are napping in the shade, just like the tourists.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check Local Holidays: In Thailand and Indonesia, show times often change or double up during public holidays.
- Verify the Weather: Outdoor sanctuaries like Jigokudani or Arashiyama will close without notice during heavy rain or typhoons.
- Prioritize Sanctuaries: Look for "Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries" (GFAS) accreditation if you want to ensure your ticket money supports conservation rather than exploitation.