The roots of keroncong comes from a type of Portuguese music known as fado which was introduced by sailors and slaves of the merchant ships from the 16th century to the archipelago. From mainland India (Goa), this music first entered Malacca and was later played by slaves from Maluku. The weakening of the Portuguese influence in the 17th century in the archipelago did not necessarily mean the loss of this music. The earliest form of this music was called moresco (a dance of Spanish origin, such as polka with a slightly sluggish rhythm).

Since 2015 a community of keroncong lovers started an annual event in Kotagede, an area used to be the capital of Mataram kingdom in 1575. While the event of Pasar Keroncong Kotagede were being on broadcasted online during the pandemic, now it again takes place on December 3rd and ready to embrace its lovers.