Keep Moving: Dance Festivals Across Europe

Contemporary dance has a strong European circuit, with a set of reference festivals that function simultaneously as market, laboratory and showcase.

ImPulsTanz — Vienna International Dance Festival Vienna, Austria · July–August

The most important contemporary dance and training festival in Europe. Six weeks in Vienna: performances, masterclasses with choreographers from around the world, residencies and large-scale shows. For performers and choreographers, ImPulsTanz is one of the most powerful training events on the international circuit. For audiences, it is the opportunity to see in one place what is happening on the world’s best stages.

Tanz im August Berlin, Germany · August

Germany’s reference contemporary dance festival. Three weeks in August across Berlin’s venues: international companies, premieres and co-productions. A festival with a clear curatorial vision: it champions dance that defies categories and artists who work at the margins of what is considered “dance”.

Biennale Danza — Venice Venice, Italy · June

The dance section of the Biennale di Venezia: around fifteen days in June, performances in palaces, theatres and unusual spaces across Venice. The Biennale Danza combines major names in international dance with emerging artists selected by the edition’s artistic director. A festival of international prestige, in a unique setting.

Deltebre Dansa Deltebre, Tarragona, Catalonia · July

Contemporary dance festival in an exceptional natural environment: the Ebro Delta. Site-specific performances, artistic residencies, shows at the delta’s lagoons and workshops for performers. One of the Catalan festivals with the greatest impact on the European contemporary dance circuit.

Dansa València Valencia, Valencian Country · March–April

International contemporary dance festival at the Teatre Olympia and other venues across the city. Solid programming of national and international companies. One of the longest-running contemporary dance festivals in Spain.

Folk and traditional dance is not folklore for museums: it is a living, participatory practice, continuously reinvented. Le Grand Bal de l’Europe is the best example on a continental scale: thousands of people dance polkas, mazurkas, bourrées and csárdás over four days, learned on the spot in open sessions open to everyone.

Le Grand Bal de l’Europe Gennetines, Allier, France · August

The great European folk dance festival and gathering. Four days in August in a field in the Allier: five thousand people, forty orchestras from every tradition across Europe, open dance sessions running 24 hours, workshops for musicians and dancers. If you are new to European folk dance, Le Grand Bal is the best place to discover it. If you already know it, it is the essential annual gathering.

Tradicionàrius Barcelona, Catalonia · January–March

Catalonia’s reference folk and world music cycle includes a significant dance component: sardanes, stick dances, jotas and dances from traditions around the world. Tradicionàrius is the gateway into folk for anyone living in Barcelona or Catalonia. For more on folk festivals across Europe, see the guide Roots in Motion.

Folkarria Eco Festi-bal Madrid, Spain · Variable

A dance and folk festival rooted in ecology and community. Root dances, traditional music and social dancing in a local festival format. A different kind of proposal, designed for those who want to dance, not just watch.

Flamenco is dance and music at once: separating them betrays its essence. The great flamenco festivals programme cante, toque and baile as an indivisible unit. For a complete guide to tablaos, peñas and flamenco festivals, see Chasing the Duende.

Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla Seville, Andalusia · September (even years)

The most important flamenco festival in the world. One month of September, every two years, at Seville’s iconic theatres and venues: La Maestranza, Teatro Central, the Cathedral. The finest companies and artists of the moment. An absolute worldwide reference.

Festival de Jerez Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia · February–March

Two weeks of February at the heart of Jerez: the cradle of flamenco. Ballet flamenco, auteur flamenco and traditional flamenco from leading cante and baile artists. One of the festivals where the atmosphere is most authentic and the artistic level highest.

Festival de Danza de Granada Granada, Andalusia · June–July

A long-running dance festival based at Granada’s theatres and venues. Programmes Spanish dance, ballet flamenco, contemporary dance and fusion works. The Alhambra and Generalife as backdrop.

Ciutat Flamenco Barcelona, Catalonia · October

Fifteen days in October at Barcelona’s venues: Taller de Músics, Sala Barts and others. The reference festival for contemporary flamenco outside Andalusia. Risk-taking programming, emerging artists and established figures.

Hip hop, breaking, salsa, bachata and competitive ballroom dance all have their own festival circuits, very active and with loyal audiences. Spectacle, competition and party are often combined within the same weekend.

Battle of the Year Europe (rotating host) · Variable

The world’s most prestigious breakdance competition. Since the 1990s, it has brought together the best breakers from around the planet for a European and world final. The German edition is where the competition originated. The atmosphere is communal: a culture with its own rules and its own hierarchy.

Red Bull BC One Cypher — Europe Various European cities · Spring–Summer

The European rounds of Red Bull’s 1-on-1 breaking competition, leading to the global grand final. Each local and regional cypher is an open event, with a strong community component and visibility for emerging artists.

Salsa and bachata congresses Various European cities · Year-round

Cuban and Latin salsa congresses and bachata festivals travel across Europe throughout the year. Formats vary: daytime workshops, evening social dancing, company showcases. Reference websites for finding them: GoAndDance and the local community of each style.

Sismògraf Olot, La Garrotxa, Catalonia · Spring

A dance and movement arts festival in La Garrotxa. Site-specific performances in public space, theatre, residencies and programming of Catalan and international companies. A long-running festival that has built a very clear identity: dance as an exploration of territory and community.

Cádiz en Danza Cádiz, Andalusia · October

Contemporary and urban dance festival in the Bay of Cádiz. Varied programming, accessible prices, a circuit-close atmosphere. A proposal that combines an international outlook with local production.

Masdanza Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands · October

A long-running international contemporary dance festival. Companies from around the world, quality festival atmosphere, and the Canary Islands climate as context. Very active in programming artists from Latin America and Africa.

Dantza Hirian / Lekuz Leku Bilbao and the Basque Country · Variable

A dance festival in the streets and public spaces of the Basque Country. Performances in squares, markets and neighbourhoods. One of the most direct ways to bring dance to people who would not normally seek it out.