Perugia, capital of contemporary dance
The Umbria Dance Festival is an event dedicated to contemporary dance and urban performance that enlivens Perugia, the capital of Umbria, every June. Founded in 2022, in just a few years it has become a reference event for the national and international choreographic scene, capable of bringing dozens of shows and companies from all over the world to the city.
The distinctive feature of the festival is its urban dimension: the shows are not limited to theaters but invade squares, markets, neighborhoods, and even the Minimetrò, creating an unprecedented dialogue between contemporary art and everyday spaces. The hub is the Arena Borgo Bello, around which performances, masterclasses, and installations rotate in numerous venues in the historic center.
Under the artistic direction of Valentina Romito, the festival proposes dance as a civic gesture, capable of "bringing bodies back to the center of collective dialogue". Alongside the evening shows, a section dedicated to children (UDF Kids) and a packed program of masterclasses open to professionals, students, and enthusiasts enrich the offering. For Perugia and for Umbria, it is a moment of international openness and cultural experimentation.
The 5th edition of the Umbria Dance Festival enlivens Perugia from June 11 to 21, 2026 with the theme "TIME. Take your time back", an invitation to reflect on time, relationships, and shared urban spaces. The program features 32 shows, 20 companies (including 4 international), 16 national premieres and debuts, in 10 venues with Arena Borgo Bello as the hub.
Under the direction of Valentina Romito, the festival extends dance beyond theaters, into squares, markets, neighborhoods, and the Minimetrò, transforming movement into a civic gesture. Masterclasses and the UDF Kids section for children complete the lineup.
In addition to evening shows, there are site-specific performances in squares, markets, and the Minimetrò, morning masterclasses open to professionals and students, and the UDF Kids section for children. Full program and tickets at umbriadanzafestival.it.
Perugia is reachable by train (Fontivegge station) and by the Minimetrò, which connects parking lots to the historic center, where much of the festival takes place.
Tickets available on Liveticket.it; many performances in public spaces are free admission.
Consult the program for the times of traveling and site-specific performances, distributed in multiple locations in the city.
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Sedi diffuse nel centro storico di Perugia
Arena Borgo Bello, 06121 Perugia