Tanz im August — International Festival Berlin
Europe's most important festival for contemporary dance
About Tanz im August
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Four Weeks of Dance Bringing the Whole World to Kreuzberg
As Berlin's high summer reaches its peak, a festival that has drawn the international dance scene to Berlin since 1989 begins in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district: Tanz im August. The organizer is HAU Hebbel am Ufer, which, with its three venues HAU1, HAU2, and HAU3, forms the festival center — the main address is HAU2, Hallesches Ufer 34, directly at the Hallesches Tor subway station.
What Makes the Festival Special
Unlike classical ballet festivals, Tanz im August focuses on contemporary dance in all its facets — from physical theatre and performative installations to choreographic research. Artistic direction has been in the hands of Ricardo Carmona since 2023, who will be responsible for the program for the fourth time in 2026. Companies from Taiwan, France, Brazil, Korea, Senegal, Belgium, and Berlin are invited — a polyphony that cannot be experienced with this density anywhere else in Germany.
Program Pillars
- German and World Premieres as the core
- Audience Discussions after each performance
- Dance Films in cooperation with Berlin arthouse cinemas
- Festival Parties in the HAU foyer and Bar HAU 1
- Library in August: open reading zone and meeting point
- Camping in August: residency format for young choreographers
Other Venues in Berlin
In addition to HAU, Tanz im August traditionally uses other stages: the Haus der Berliner Festspiele in Wilmersdorf, the Sophiensæle in Mitte, the Akademie der Künste on Hanseatenweg, and the radialsystem hall in Friedrichshain. This allows the festival to span across Berlin and make dance accessible to a broad city audience.
Who Should Visit?
Tanz im August is not art for insiders — the pieces are comment-worthy, physical, and often politically charged. If you are interested in movement, body politics, post-colonial discourses, or simply excellently crafted stage work, this festival is a must-attend event in Berlin's cultural summer.
Tanz im August — edition 2026
38th Tanz im August — August 13–29, 2026
Ricardo Carmona curates the festival for the fourth consecutive time. The opening will be celebrated at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele with the Taiwanese classic Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (August 15–17). The second half of the festival focuses on HAU2/HAU3 with, among others, the world premiere by Kareth Schaffer & Jonas Hauer (HAU3, August 26–29) and the German premiere by Brazilian choreographer Calixto Neto (HAU2, August 27–29). The full program will be released in early June 2026.
Programme Tanz im August 2026
Program 2026 (As of May 2026)
The complete program will be published in early June 2026. The following productions are already confirmed:
Opening Production
- August 15–17 — 'Sounding Light' (Choreography: Cheng Tsung-lung) by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstraße 24
World Premiere
- August 26–29 — 'Bat Dances' by Kareth Schaffer & Jonas Hauer, HAU3, Tempelhofer Ufer 10
German Premiere
- August 27–29 — 'Bruits Marrons' by Calixto Neto / VOA, HAU2, Hallesches Ufer 34
Other Announced Artists
- Nora Chipaumire (Zimbabwe/USA)
- Lia Rodrigues Companhia de Danças (Brazil)
- Oona Doherty (Ireland)
- Korea National Contemporary Dance Company
Ancillary Program
- Library in August — new open reading and meeting zone
- Audience Discussions after all performances
- Dance Films and festival parties in the HAU foyer
Venues
- HAU1, Stresemannstraße 29 (Subway Mehringdamm)
- HAU2, Hallesches Ufer 34 (Subway Hallesches Tor)
- HAU3, Tempelhofer Ufer 10 (Subway Möckernbrücke)
- Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstraße 24 (Wilmersdorf)
Highlights Tanz im August 2026
Prices Tanz im August 2026
Practical information — Tanz im August
Getting There
HAU2: U1, U3, U6 Hallesches Tor (approx. 3 min. walk), Bus M29 Hallesches Tor. HAU1: U6 Mehringdamm. HAU3: U7 Möckernbrücke. From Central Station: U6 directly to Hallesches Tor.
Tickets
Single tickets range from €12–€28 depending on the production (discounted rates available). Early bird discount of 15% until mid-May. Festival passes available. Tickets via Reservix and at the HAU theater box offices.
Language
Most pieces are dance or text-based with surtitles in German and English. Discussions are bilingual.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Tanz im August al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Tanz im August
HAU Hebbel am Ufer (HAU1/HAU2/HAU3)
Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin