Tanztriennale Hamburg

Hamburg's Big Leap into the World of Dance

In June 2026, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is launching a new format festival: the Tanztriennale Hamburg. For eight days, the city will become a resonance space for dance in all its forms – from classical ballet and contemporary choreography to street dance, urban styles, and community-based projects. The festival is conceived as a "Cultural Lighthouse" by the federal government and is jointly supported by three Hamburg institutions: the renowned Hamburg Ballett, the international production house Kampnagel, and the K3 Centre for Choreography.

Motto and Artistic Direction

Under the motto Brave Moves. Courageous Joy, the first edition sends a clear message: dancing is courageous, and dancing together is even more courageous – and it brings joy. The artistic direction is led by dramaturge Monica Gillette and dance curator Gwen Hsin-Yi Chang. Both bring an international network that extends from Lorraine to Taipei and Brooklyn.

Opening with a City Parade

The Tanztriennale begins on June 14th with a City Parade that transforms public space into a walkable stage. The route leads from the Museum der Arbeit through Barmbek-Nord to the Stadtpark, passing choreographed stations, flash mobs, and local dance communities. Anyone living in Hamburg can participate or simply stop and watch.

Venues Across the City

• Kampnagel in Winterhude (Jarrestraße 20) – the heart of the festival with major international productions
• Hamburgische Staatsoper in Neustadt for the evenings featuring the Hamburg Ballett
• K3 — Centre for Choreography at Kampnagel for the independent scene and emerging talent formats
• MARKK in Rothenbaum, Hamburger Kunsthalle, public spaces in Barmbek, and the Stadtpark as additional venues

"Collective Impact" Forum

From June 18th to 21st, the festival hosts the Collective Impact Forum, aimed at both professionals and interested audiences. The program includes lecture-performances, workshops, and discussions about the future of dance in Europe. The industry will discuss how the independent dance scene and major institutions can grow closer together.

Hamburg as a Dance City

In the federal state of Hamburg, Germany's smallest in area, dance has a long tradition: John Neumeier shaped the Hamburg Ballett for over five decades, Kampnagel has been a stronghold of contemporary performance for decades, and K3 has greatly promoted emerging choreographic talent. The Tanztriennale brings all of this into the spotlight – and positions Hamburg alongside cities like Vienna, Marseille, and Montpellier.