Dance Prague 2026: Bringing the brightest stars of contemporary dance to Czech cities

The International Festival Tanec Praha has been one of the most significant showcases of contemporary dance and movement theater in the Czech Republic for over thirty years. This year’s 38th edition will feature performances by renowned international companies, first-time shows in the country, outdoor projects, and activities for families with children throughout June. The festival typically takes place not only in Prague but also in many other towns and villages across the entire republic.

The festival will kick off on June 1 at the Ponec Theatre, featuring the Lebanese-Spanish duo Guy Nader & Maria Campos with their award-winning show Natural Order of Things. This piece blends dance and acrobatics to explore the natural order of the world through expertly crafted movements, rhythm, and the physical capabilities of the human body.

The grand finale will highlight Greek choreographer Christos Papadopoulos, who will present the production My Fierce Ignorant Step on June 23 at the Musical Theatre Karlín. This minimalist choreography, centered around rhythm, energy, and the perfectly coordinated movements of the dancers, promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s program.

Program will reach dozens of towns across the republic

The festival will also include performances by Cameroonian artist Zory Snaka, projects from the Greek-Slovak duo Linda Kapetanea and Jozef Fručko, international dancers involved with the European platform Aerowaves, and numerous open-air productions in public spaces. A vital part of the program is the Family Friendly line, which focuses on children and families.

This year, artists from twelve countries will participate, and the festival will visit around twenty Czech towns and villages. In addition to Prague, you can look forward to performances in Brno, Plzeň, České Budějovice, Ostrava, Liberec, Litomyšl, Broumov, Volyně, Sušice, and Kladruby.

 Tanec Praha consistently connects contemporary dance with music, visual arts, and unconventional spaces. In addition to theater venues, performances take place in parks, galleries, industrial sites, and public squares, making contemporary art accessible to the broader public. The festival also includes workshops, artist meet-and-greets, and various accompanying events that allow visitors to gain insights into the world of contemporary dance from different viewpoints.