Festival Danza Estate

Bergamo and contemporary dance

Founded in 1989, Festival Danza Estate is the only contemporary dance festival in the Orobic capital and one of the longest-running in Northern Italy. Every summer, the event brings Italian and international companies and choreographers to Bergamo, transforming the city's most fascinating locations into stages for the latest choreographic research.

The body as a space for relationships

The 38th edition, in 2026, focuses on the body as a space for relationships and imagination, on the exploration of contemporary choreographic languages, and on the desire to create opportunities for proximity between artists and audiences. A vision of dance as a living practice, capable of questioning the present and engaging those who watch.

The festival venues

The performances take place in prestigious city venues, including the Teatro Sociale in Città Alta and the Chiostro del Carmine, the historic home of the Teatro Tascabile di Bergamo, in the heart of the upper town. The monumental setting of the Cloister, in particular, lends a unique atmosphere to the performances, within the walls of the former monastery.

Previews and KIDS section

The festival opens with some previews in May, featuring performances and participatory workshops: among these are "Fuck me Blind" by Matteo Sedda and "Piscina Mirabilis", a participatory performance workshop curated by the mk company. The KIDS section, designed to introduce younger generations to dance and live performance, offers shows organised by themes and age groups. The complete programme for the 38th edition will be announced on the official website.