Circus Dance Festival

“Come Closer” – under this motto, the CircusDanceFestival brings the relationship between audience and performers into focus and celebrates the experience of being right in the middle of the action. Over the course of three weeks, from May 16 to May 31, international productions from contemporary circus and dance will be presented across Cologne.
With 50 events and 38 productions from ten countries, the 2026 edition will be the largest in the festival’s history. Once again, the CircusDanceFestival captivates audiences with its unique spring atmosphere on the green festival grounds by the Rhine at Latibul in Cologne.
“Come Closer” celebrates experiences that can be shared and plays with the relationships between stage and audience in a wide range of artistic variations. A playful edition for the curious, inviting to become a part of it.

The program brings together international artists working between contemporary circus and dance – in circus tents and open air on the festival grounds, with major guest performances at Depot and emerging voices on the two 360° outdoor stages. The festival is accompanied by a large-scale photo exhibition, workshops, discussions, circus films, numerous DJ sets and a dedicated family day – the Latibul Circus Garden.
With pop-up performances across Cologne’s urban space the festival expands its stages: in different neighborhoods, public table tennis tables, subway stations, squares and parks are activated by circus artists and dancers, inviting audiences to experience circus and dance beyond the festival grounds.

Welcome!

Programme 2026

Foto: Samuel Buton/ Les Voyages /XY Collectif

With the support of Aktion Mensch and the City of Cologne, we have revised our website and made it more accessible. The website has been updated, tested and adapted in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, compliance level AA.

In addition, there are now videos in German sign language with information about the CircusDanceFestival.

Feel free to take a look!

CircusDanceFestival in Cologne, May 16. - 31. 2026

For this year's CircusDanceFestival, we are looking for volunteers to help with set-up and dismantling, artist support, bar, box office and entrance. As part of the team, you will get a glimpse behind the scenes of the festival and have the opportunity to get up close and personal. Catering will be provided during your time on site.

Further information

Link for registration

Come Closer Lab is a dedicated space for artistic exchange, dialogue, and inspiration.
There is no pressure to produce final results; instead, the focus lies on practical sharing and experimentation. The lab is part of this year’s CircusDanceFestival edition and follows the same thematic focus: Come Closer.

More information