Conero Dance Festival
Two weeks of international dance in the heart of Ancona
About Conero Dance Festival
The dance festival that makes Ancona dance
The Conero Dance Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the cultural summer in Ancona, the capital of Marche. Reaching its XVIII edition in 2026, it is organized by the association La Luna Dance Center ASD with the artistic direction of Cristiano Marcelli, and for almost twenty years it has been connecting the Ancona area with the major schools and companies of international dance.
Two campuses, one great celebration of the body
The heart of the festival lies in the two international campuses that take place over two weeks in July. The CDF Camp is dedicated to the study of modern, contemporary, urban, hip hop, and classical dance, with classes also open to younger participants; the Wuppertanz Camp is entirely dedicated to dance theatre, led by historic artists from the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. Each day alternates technical classes, choreographic workshops, evening events, dinners, and convivial moments shared among students and masters from all over Italy and abroad.
Evening performances open to the city
Alongside training, the Conero Dance Festival offers the city of Ancona a series of evening performances hosted in some of the most evocative locations in the city center: the Courtyard of the Mole Vanvitelliana, the Teatro Panettone, Piazza del Plebiscito, and in past editions, the Roman Amphitheatre. From the gala show with international choreographers to showcases of contemporary dance, up to the final performance of the Wuppertanz workshop, the events alternate between free admission evenings and ticketed performances.
An international network
Among the renowned names involved in the festival are Malou Airaudo, co-founder of Tanztheater Wuppertal, and Jean Laurent Sasportes, a historic performer for Pina Bausch, who curate the Wuppertanz program with the support of the Goethe Institut. The gala show annually hosts artists from New York, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Malta, Budapest, and from the main Italian schools. The event takes place under the patronage of the Municipality of Ancona and is included in the calendar of the great cultural summer of the province of Ancona.
Why it's worth it
- A program of international-level contemporary dance in the heart of the Marche region
- Performances in iconic venues like the Mole Vanvitelliana and Piazza del Plebiscito
- Several evenings with free admission
- Campuses open to professionals, amateurs, and children
Conero Dance Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Conero Dance Festival celebrates the event's eighteenth anniversary with two weeks of classes, residencies, and performances in Ancona. The CDF Camp (July 7-11) offers modern, contemporary, urban, hip hop, and classical classes, including options for Under 12s; the Wuppertanz Camp (July 15-19) is dedicated to dance theatre with artists from Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. The evenings open to the public bring dance to the city's iconic venues, from Teatro Panettone to Mole Vanvitelliana and Piazza del Plebiscito.
Programme Conero Dance Festival 2026
July 6 — Teatro Panettone, 8:30 PM
- Lunatics «Echoes of the King» — premiere tribute to Michael Jackson (Vivaticket pre-sale)
July 7-11 — CDF Camp
- International campus: modern, contemporary, urban, hip hop, classical, with Under 12 classes
July 8 — Piazza del Plebiscito, 9:15 PM
- «Le tre Marie del mare» — dance theatre by Simona Ficosecco (free admission)
July 11 — Mole Vanvitelliana, 9:15 PM
- CDF Gala Show — gala performance with international artists and campus dancers (Vivaticket pre-sale)
July 14 — Piazza del Plebiscito, 9:15 PM
- Starry Sky — showcase of contemporary choreographies (free admission)
July 15-19 — Wuppertanz Camp
- Dance theatre workshop led by Malou Airaudo and Jean Laurent Sasportes (Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch), with support from the Goethe Institut
July 19 — Mole Vanvitelliana, 9:15 PM
- Wuppertanz Performance — outcome of the dance theatre workshop (free admission)
Highlights Conero Dance Festival 2026
Prices Conero Dance Festival 2026
Practical information — Conero Dance Festival
Where
Performances take place in various locations in the center of Ancona: the Courtyard of the Mole Vanvitelliana (Banchina Giovanni da Chio 28), Teatro Panettone, and Piazza del Plebiscito.
How to get there
Ancona is reachable by train (Ancona Centrale station) and by car via the A14 motorway, exit Ancona Nord or Ancona Sud. The city center is about 18 km from Marche Airport (Falconara).
Tickets
Some performances (such as the gala show and the opening night at Teatro Panettone) are ticketed with advance sales on Vivaticket or at the La Luna Dance Center office; other evenings in the piazza and at the Mole have free admission. For campus registrations and information: tel./WhatsApp +39 071 2905204.
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Where does it take place — Conero Dance Festival
Mole Vanvitelliana, Teatro Panettone, Piazza del Plebiscito, Anfiteatro Romano
Banchina Giovanni da Chio 28, 60121 Ancona