Dance Days Chania returns with 16 days of contemporary dance across Chania

For sixteen consecutive years, Dance Days Chania has transformed the city into a vibrant meeting point for contemporary dance. This year’s edition, taking place from 20 July to 2 August 2026, brings together more than 90 dance artists from Greece and abroad in a programme that explores movement as a language of resilience, connection and social dialogue.

Performances unfold not only at the Mikis Theodorakis Theatre, but also in cultural venues, public squares, parks and neighbourhoods throughout Chania. The festival embraces the idea that dance belongs in everyday life, inviting audiences to encounter works that move between intimate reflection and collective experience.

The programme features 15 theatre performances, three free outdoor productions, 10 workshops and masterclasses, four works-in-progress presented through the Open Studio platform, site-specific creations by emerging Greek choreographers, screenings of dance films and animation, as well as educational activities focusing on body awareness and accessibility.

A long-standing pillar of the festival is “Young Creators and Public Space”, now in its ninth year, supporting emerging Greek artists in developing new site-specific works inspired by Chania’s urban landscape and local community. Alongside the performances, an extensive educational programme offers workshops led by internationally acclaimed choreographers, while exhibitions and participatory projects further strengthen the festival’s dialogue with residents and visitors alike.

This year’s international programme includes companies and artists from Austria, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Malta, Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Romania, Brazil, France and beyond, highlighting the festival’s commitment to artistic exchange and contemporary choreographic practices. Audiences will also have the opportunity to experience inclusive multisensory performances, walking performances, dance films and public interventions that expand the boundaries of traditional stage presentation.

Organised by the Syn-Kinisi Association for Expressive Dance since 2011, Dance Days Chania continues to champion artistic experimentation, inclusion and community engagement. Recognised with the EFFE Label for multiple consecutive editions, the festival has established itself as one of Greece’s leading international platforms for contemporary dance.