This June, Singapore’s dance calendar welcomes back one of its most transformative festivals, with the 16th edition of cont·act Dance Festival, now with a refreshed identity, a bold international lineup, and an invitation to experience dance beyond categories. Running from 8 to 28 June 2026, the festival unfolds across the iconic Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and other creative spaces, bringing together artists from Singapore, Asia, and Europe.

Formerly known as cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival, the event has dropped the word “contemporary.” The change is subtle, but significant. Festival Director Kuik Swee Boon explains that the move is about removing limitations. Instead of boxing dance into genres, the festival now opens itself to broader interpretations where movement is encountered as it is, not as it’s labelled. And the result? A programme that feels more fluid, more exploratory, and deeply attuned to the present moment.

The festival’s mainstage highlight is Elusive, a double bill by T.H.E Dance Company, and one of the most anticipated works of the season. Presented at the Esplanade Theatre Studio, Elusive features two world premieres, each shaped through close collaboration between international choreographers and the company’s dancers.

Italian-German duo Panzetti/Ticconi return with CARILLON, a hypnotic work inspired by the delicate mechanics of a music box. Expect cyclical rhythms, precise repetition, and a gradual unravelling that blurs the line between harmony and collapse.

From South Korea, Art Project BORA, led by Kim Bora, presents O:ro. This deeply sensory piece transforms breath and vibration into a shared emotional landscape, where mourning becomes something collective rather than individual.

Together, the two works explore how the body holds memory, time, and emotion—making Elusive less of a performance, and more of an experience. Notably, Elusive is also part of the Asia-Europe Cultural Festival 2026, positioning Singapore at the centre of a wider cultural dialogue.

If you prefer your art under open skies, Dance at Dusk offers one of the most accessible—and atmospheric—festival experiences. Held at the outdoor theatre at the Esplanade, this free programme unfolds against the glow of Marina Bay at sunset.

This year marks a shift: instead of restaging past works, the platform presents brand-new creations by emerging Singapore choreographers, namely, Jieying Nah with Common Ground, a reflection on care, individuality, and togetherness; and Kwek Yixuan’s Apart, Within, Together, exploring connection, separation, and return Performed by T.H.E Second Company, these works are intimate yet expansive—perfect for both seasoned dance lovers and curious passersby.

New to the festival this year, ante-space invites audiences into something rarely seen: the unfinished. Hosted at Goodman Arts Centre, this studio platform is dedicated to works-in-progress, where choreography is still evolving. Curated by Fiona Thng, it foregrounds experimentation, feedback, and dialogue.

Highlights include:

• Love Thy Armour by Jieying Nah and Faith Liu Yong Huay — exploring care and protection
• A cross-cultural collaboration between Kwek Yixuan and Do Hyoyeon
• The Extended Body by Kimberly Long and Goh Shou Yi

It’s raw, intimate, and refreshingly honest, perfect for audiences who want to see not just the final product, but the process itself.

For those ready to move, not just watch, the T.H.E Mid-Year Intensive offers a deep dive into the company’s distinctive practice. Led by Kuik Swee Boon and company artists, this five-day programme centres on HollowBody®, T.H.E’s signature methodology focused on instinct, presence, and emotional depth.

Participants will:

• Train in technique and improvisation
• Learn repertoire from recent works
• Experience the rhythm of a professional dance company

It culminates in a studio sharing, marking an intimate moment of reflection and performance.

Across June, the festival also hosts 26 workshops open to dancers, movers, and complete beginners. Rather than a single style, the lineup spans a wide spectrum of practices, from training one’s technique and physicality, floorwork and flow, improvisation and awareness, and even cross-disciplinary Exploration. Whether you’re refining technique or simply curious, these sessions offer an open door into the many ways a body can move and think.

Since its beginnings in 2010, cont·act has grown from a modest series of events into a vital platform connecting Singapore to the global dance community. At its core, the festival remains grounded in a simple idea: dance as a space for exchange.

In 2026, that idea feels more relevant than ever. By removing labels, opening processes, and inviting participation at every level, cont·act Dance Festival becomes more than a lineup of performances, it becomes a living, evolving conversation, and this June, you’re invited to be part of it.

cont·act Dance Festival 2026 (16th edition) runs from 8th to 28th June 2026. Full programme and tickets available here