Urban Dance Festival
The international festival of dance in the urban landscapes of Bologna
About Urban Dance
When the City Becomes a Stage
Urban Dance Festival is the first Italian event that has brought dance out of theatres and into the city's public and everyday spaces. Founded in Bologna in 1997 from an idea by a group of DAMS students led by Eugenia Casini Ropa, the festival has made the capital of Emilia-Romagna a true hub for choreographic research in urban settings. The artistic direction is by Massimo Carosi, founder of the festival, assisted by Luca Nava in organization; the event is now one of the projects curated by Danza Urbana ETS.
Dance in Urban Landscapes
The idea that drives the entire festival is simple and radical: to free dance from the confines of the theatre and place it in dialogue with the real city. For a few days in September, squares, parks, courtyards, museums, and former churches in the city center and suburbs transform into open-air stages. The performances are often site-specific, meaning they are designed for that particular location, and create a connection between the dancers' bodies, the urban architecture, and the collective gaze of the audience.
A Showcase for New Choreography
The program selects the protagonists and emerging talents of new authorial dance and Italian and international choreography. There are also world premieres, video installations, collective landscape traversals, and in-depth talks that accompany shows and performances. Among the venues that have hosted the festival over the years are Piazza Santo Stefano, Piazza San Francesco, the MAMbo - Museum of Modern Art of Bologna, the Cinema Lumière, former churches in the city center, and parks like Villa Ghigi.
An International Network
In addition to the festival, Danza Urbana ETS works year-round to promote dance in public spaces, scout new choreographic identities, provide training, artistic residencies, and support artist circulation, also through the DANCESCAPES project and European networks dedicated to dance in urban landscapes. For visitors to Bologna and its metropolitan area, the festival offers an opportunity to discover the city from a different perspective, following the dance from one square to another.
An Event of the Bolognese Summer
Included in the Bologna Estate program, the festival is largely free admission, with some paid performances and recommended booking. It is an experience designed for both contemporary dance enthusiasts and those new to this art form, making it accessible and held in unexpected urban locations.
Urban Dance — edition 2026
For 2026, the Urban Dance Festival celebrates its 30th edition, scheduled in Bologna from September 4th to 10th. The dates have been confirmed by the Danza Urbana ETS organization, while the complete program—including the schedule of shows, guest companies, venues, and times—will be published on the official website in the weeks leading up to the event.
As is tradition, the festival will feature creations in non-theatrical and site-specific spaces to foster dialogue between bodies, the city, and communities, alternating free outdoor performances, world premieres, installations, and in-depth discussions. This page will be updated with the detailed program as soon as it becomes available.
Programme Urban Dance 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (30th edition) will be announced by the organization in the weeks preceding the festival. The confirmed dates are September 4th to 10th, 2026, in Bologna.
Based on previous editions, the festival typically offers: contemporary dance shows and performances in non-theatrical urban spaces (squares, parks, former churches, museums), world premieres by Italian and international companies, video installations, collective landscape traversals, and in-depth talks. Most events are free admission, some are ticketed or require booking.
Highlights Urban Dance 2026
30th edition of the festival, a historic milestone for the first Italian festival of dance in urban spaces. Programming spread across Bologna's city center and suburbs, featuring world premieres and emerging talents in contemporary choreography.
Prices Urban Dance 2026
Practical information — Urban Dance
Getting There
Bologna is one of Italy's main railway hubs: Bologna Centrale station is connected by high-speed trains to Milan, Florence, Rome, and Venice. From Guglielmo Marconi Airport, the city center is reachable by the Marconi Express shuttle. The festival venues, spread across the historic center and suburbs, are served by the TPER urban bus network.
Tickets
Most events are free admission; some performances are ticketed and many require booking due to limited seating. It is advisable to consult the official website for updated booking procedures.
Information
Official website: danzaurbana.eu — email: [email protected]. During the festival days, a dedicated phone number (calls, WhatsApp, and SMS) is usually available for public information.
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Where does it take place — Urban Dance
Spazi urbani della città di Bologna