Hangartfest – International Festival of Contemporary Dance
The widespread festival of contemporary dance, performing art, and new arts in Pesaro
About Hangartfest
What is Hangartfest
Hangartfest is the International Festival of Contemporary Dance in Pesaro, in the Marche region (Province of Pesaro and Urbino). Founded in the early 2000s and reaching its XXIII edition in 2026, it is promoted by the cultural association of the same name, which defines itself as dedicated to contemporary dance, performing art, and new arts. More than just a showcase of performances, it is an intergenerational cultural project that fosters dialogue between international artistic research and the city community.
A widespread festival in the heart of Pesaro
The hallmark of Hangartfest is the widespread festival concept: dance is not confined to a theatre but animates the symbolic places of the city, transforming them into spaces for dialogue between the public and contemporary creation. The headquarters is the Maddalena Centre for Performing Arts, in Piazza del Monte, but the program extends to the Villa Imperiale and its park in San Bartolo, to Spazio TORRSO, the historic center, and to the inland villages. In recent editions, the festival has also brought dance to the National Rossini Museum and the Antonia Pallerini Hall of Palazzo Gradari, with site-specific performances designed for each individual location.
The XXIII Edition 2026: "The Dance to Come"
The 2026 edition's theme is "The Dance to Come" and pays tribute to Pina Bausch, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century dance. The main festival is scheduled from September 4 to 20, 2026, but activities are spread throughout the year: on April 26, the city celebrates the International Dance Day with the dancing walk DANCE! The NELKEN Line, inspired by Pina Bausch's 1982 work, and from June 21 to 28, VIDEOBOX returns, a section dedicated to video dance and screendance created in collaboration with the Pesaro International Film Festival.
Research, internationality, and new generations
Hangartfest combines national premieres, co-productions, and special projects with a constant focus on young artists, featuring the Young Up! platform for choreographers aged 18 to 26. The festival networks with national and international dance organizations – including AMAT, the RH Plus network, the Pina Bausch Foundation, and the European project GLARE – and hosts choreographers in multi-year residencies who share their creative process with the public. The artistic direction is entrusted to Antonio Cioffi.
Why it's worth it
For contemporary dance lovers, Hangartfest is one of the key events in Central Italy: a festival that combines the quality of international programming with the intimate and welcoming dimension of a human-scale city like Pesaro, Italian Capital of Culture 2024. Watching a performance at sunset in the park of Villa Imperiale or attending a world premiere at La Maddalena is a different and surprising way to discover the Marche region.
Hangartfest — edition 2026
The XXIII edition of Hangartfest confirms the widespread festival format, with the main festival from September 4 to 20, 2026, held at the Maddalena Centre for Performing Arts, Villa Imperiale, Spazio TORRSO, the historic center of Pesaro, and the inland villages.
The guiding theme for 2026 is "The Dance to Come", presented as a tribute to Pina Bausch. Activities begin as early as April 26, with the dancing walk DANCE! The NELKEN Line – inspired by Nelken (1982) and open free to the community, starting from the "Palla di Pomodoro" (Ball of Yarn) sculpture – and the platform for young artists Young Up! (ages 18-26). From June 21 to 28, VIDEOBOX (VI edition) returns, dedicated to video dance and screendance, in collaboration with the Pesaro International Film Festival.
The artistic direction is by Antonio Cioffi. Among the year's projects are Gaze Lab – Italia (as part of the European project GLARE) and Occhi da Marziani, featuring the resident choreographers of the 2025-2027 three-year period, Lucia Mauri and Michele Ifigenia Colturi. The complete program of September performances will be announced in the weeks preceding the event on the official website hangartfest.it.
Programme Hangartfest 2026
The detailed program for the XXIII edition (September 4-20, 2026), including the complete schedule of performances, companies, and times, will be announced on the official website hangartfest.it in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Events already confirmed for 2026
- April 26 – International Dance Day: 11:30 AM DANCE! The NELKEN Line, a dancing walk in tribute to Pina Bausch starting from the Palla di Pomodoro (free, with a preparatory workshop on April 24 at 9:00 PM); 6:00 PM Young Up!, platform for choreographers aged 18-26, at La Maddalena.
- June 21-28 – VIDEOBOX (VI edition): showcase of video dance and screendance, in collaboration with the Pesaro International Film Festival.
- September 4-20 – Main Festival: performances, national premieres, co-productions, and site-specific performances at La Maddalena, Villa Imperiale, Spazio TORRSO, the historic center, and the inland villages.
Projects of the year: Gaze Lab – Italia (European project GLARE) and Occhi da Marziani, observing the creative process of resident choreographers Lucia Mauri and Michele Ifigenia Colturi.
Highlights Hangartfest 2026
Theme "The Dance to Come" and tribute to Pina Bausch; the dancing walk DANCE! The NELKEN Line on April 26; the VIDEOBOX video dance section in June; site-specific performances at Villa Imperiale and in the inland villages; the Young Up! platform for young choreographers.
Prices Hangartfest 2026
Practical information — Hangartfest
Where
Headquarters: Maddalena Centre for Performing Arts, Piazza del Monte 9, 61121 Pesaro (PU). Other venues: Villa Imperiale and San Bartolo Park, Spazio TORRSO, historic center, and inland villages.
How to get there
By train: Pesaro station on the Bologna–Ancona–Lecce Adriatic line, a few minutes from the center. By car: Pesaro-Urbino exit of the A14 motorway. By plane: Rimini airport (approx. 40 km) or Ancona-Falconara airport (approx. 60 km).
Tickets
Ticket prices vary depending on the performance; some widespread events and the dancing walk for Dance Day are free to attend. The Young Up! platform had prices of 5 euros for full admission and 3 euros for reduced admission. Advance sales and updated information on hangartfest.it and the Liveticket circuit.
Contacts
[email protected] · artistic direction: [email protected] · press office: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Hangartfest
Maddalena Centro Arti Performative
Piazza del Monte 9, 61121 Pesaro