Biennale Danza – Venice, Italy 2026

Background & History

• Origins and Establishment: La Biennale di Venezia, founded in 1895 as the International Exhibition of Art of the City of Venice, was initiated to promote modern art without national restrictions, establishing Venice as a global cultural hub. It began in the Giardini with the first exhibition attracting international artists and has since grown to host over 800,000 visitors, as seen in the 2022 Art Exhibition.
• Introduction of Biennale Danza: Launched in 1999, Biennale Danza (International Festival of Contemporary Dance) emerged as part of La Biennale’s post-1998 structural reforms, which expanded its scope to include dedicated festivals for dance and architecture, complementing its historic festivals in art (1895), cinema (1932, the world’s first film festival), music (1930), and theatre (1934).
• Growth and Global Impact: Over its 27-year history, Biennale Danza has evolved into a premier platform for contemporary dance, presenting world and European premieres, fostering international collaborations with artists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and supporting emerging talent through Biennale College Danza, a residency program for young dancers and choreographers.
• Cultural Significance: The festival bridges Venice’s rich heritage—rooted in Renaissance carnivals, masked performances, and its role as a maritime trade crossroads connecting East and West—with cutting-edge choreography exploring themes like identity, migration, technology, and climate change, reflecting global societal shifts.
• Archival Role: The Historical Archive of Contemporary Arts (ASAC) at Porto Marghera, established to preserve La Biennale’s legacy since 1895, catalogs dance programs, photographs, and videos, making them available for research and exhibitions worldwide, reinforcing the festival’s role in documenting dance evolution.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: Showcases a diverse program of world and European premieres by leading choreographers (e.g., past contributors like Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker) and emerging artists, featuring solo and ensemble performances, site-specific works in Arsenale’s historic spaces, and interdisciplinary pieces integrating dance with live music, acrobatics, and digital projections.
• Special Traditions or Features: The festival upholds the tradition of awarding the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and Silver Lion for innovation at Ca’ Giustinian, a practice since 1999; daily workshops and masterclasses on choreography, improvisation, and dance criticism; and cross-disciplinary events with La Biennale’s art, music, and theatre departments, such as dance performances paired with live orchestral scores or visual art installations.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Interactive dance-technology installations, such as motion-responsive projections at Arsenale’s Sale d’Armi; open-to-all workshops at Teatro Piccolo Arsenale; environmentally themed performances like THE HERDS, addressing climate change; access to ASAC’s library and archives at Ca’ Giustinian and Porto Marghera for in-depth dance history exploration; and guided tours of Venice’s dance-related heritage sites, like historic theatres.
• Educational Initiatives: Biennale College Danza offers public showcases of new works by young artists, mentorship sessions with global choreographers, and free talks on dance’s societal impact, fostering engagement with both professionals and amateurs.

Date & Duration

• Dates: July 16 – August 1, 2026, with previews and workshops starting July 14.
• Duration: 17 days, with daily performances and events across multiple venues.

Venue / Location

• City and Main Venue: Venice, Italy, with Ca’ Giustinian (San Marco 1364/A) serving as the festival’s headquarters for award ceremonies, opening events, and administrative functions; primary performance venues at the Arsenale include Teatro alle Tese (large-scale shows), Teatro Piccolo Arsenale (intimate performances), and Sale d’Armi North and South (experimental works).
• Additional Sites: Teatro Malibran, a historic 17th-century opera house, hosts select high-profile performances; Forte Marghera in mainland Mestre offers outdoor and community-focused events; Giardini della Biennale features workshops and pop-up performances; Sala delle Colonne at Ca’ Giustinian hosts talks and panels; Laboratorio delle Arti is dedicated to experimental and educational activities.
• Notable Areas: The Arsenale’s historic naval halls provide a dramatic backdrop for site-specific choreography; the Biennale Library at Giardini offers research access; Forte Marghera’s open spaces facilitate family-friendly and accessible performances.
• Google Maps Address: Ca’ Giustinian, San Marco 1364/A, 30124 Venice, Italy (https://maps.app.goo.gl/5fB7zYk2Qh6Z7XyW6).

Ticket Information

• Sales Channels: Tickets are available online at labiennale.org/en/tickets (sales open early 2026, typically March–April); on-site at venue ticket offices one hour before performances; group bookings and educational discounts via email (biglietteria.cinema@labiennale.org or dmtsegreteria@labiennale.org); no lottery system but priority access for Biennale Card holders.
• Admission Type: Main performances are paid; select workshops, Biennale College showcases, and public talks may be free or reduced with advance registration via the website or on-site kiosks.
• Ticket Pricing (USD): Minimum $11 (concessions for students under 26, seniors over 65, or Biennale Card holders for select events); maximum $33 (full price for premium seats at Teatro Malibran or co-produced international performances).
• Packages and Subscriptions: Combined Biennale Danza + Biennale Arte ticket at $38 (one dance performance + Art Exhibition entry); 3-performance subscription at $66 full price or $40 for concessions; multi-event passes for workshops and talks at $20–$50.
• Policies: No refunds or exchanges; no entry permitted after performance start; some performances are age-restricted (18+ due to mature themes); tickets include access to same-day exhibitions at Ca’ Giustinian or Arsenale.
• Special Seating/VIP Options: VIP packages ($55–$110 USD) offer premium reserved seating at Teatro alle Tese or Sale d’Armi, post-show artist meet-and-greets, exclusive previews, and access to Ca’ Giustinian’s terrace lounge; accessible front-row seating for disabled visitors with free companion tickets; Biennale Card holders can upgrade seats for $5–$10 USD; priority booking for sponsors and donors.

Contact Information

• Email: info@labiennale.org (general inquiries); dmtsegreteria@labiennale.org (Dance Department-specific queries); foreignpress@labiennale.org (press and media); biblioteca.asac@labiennale.org (ASAC archives and library access); sponsorship@labiennale.org (corporate partnerships).
• Phone: +39 041 521 8711 (main line, English, Italian, French support); +39 041 2726 624 (ticket office, Mon–Fri 10am–5pm); +39 041 521 8939 (ASAC library at Porto Marghera).
• Website: https://www.labiennale.org/en/dance (program details, artist bios, schedules); https://www.labiennale.org/en/tickets (ticket purchases and FAQs); https://www.labiennale.org/en/asac (archive access).
• Social Media: @labiennale (Instagram/Twitter for live performance clips, behind-the-scenes content); @LaBiennaleVenezia (Facebook for event announcements, artist interviews); YouTube channel (La Biennale di Venezia) for archived performances and talks.
• Key Staff: President – Pietrangelo Buttafuoco (presidenza@labiennale.org); Director General – Andrea Del Mercato (direzione@labiennale.org); Dance Department Press – dmtpress@labiennale.org; ASAC contact – segreteria.asac@labiennale.org.
• Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries via foreignpress@labiennale.org (media kits, accreditation); volunteer applications via info@labiennale.org (applications open spring 2026, roles include ushering, guest services, and archive support).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; multilingual support (English, Italian, French); virtual assistance via website chat; ASAC archive visits require prior booking.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions: Biennale Danza celebrates Venice’s legacy as a cultural crossroads, drawing from Renaissance carnivals with masked, boundary-blurring performances, mirrored in modern choreography that challenges social and artistic norms; the Golden Lion and Silver Lion awards honor global dance pioneers, fostering a dialogue on dance’s societal role.
• Music and Performances: Features eclectic live scores blending classical instruments (violin, piano, cello) with electronic, experimental, and world music (e.g., African percussion or Asian string ensembles), accompanying diverse choreography from minimalist contemporary to culturally rooted forms like Sufi-inspired whirling or urban hip-hop interventions.
• Costumes and Aesthetics: Costumes range from sleek, modern leotards to elaborate attire reflecting global influences, such as Indian Kathak robes, Japanese Butoh-inspired designs, or acrobatic harnesses for aerial performances, emphasizing visual storytelling and cultural diversity.
• Local Customs: Site-specific works in Arsenale’s naval halls evoke Venice’s maritime history, with choreography inspired by shipbuilding or trade routes; public workshops incorporate Italian theatrical traditions like commedia dell’arte alongside international improvisation techniques; audience participation is encouraged through open rehearsals and community dance events at Forte Marghera.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Cicchetti, Venetian small plates like baccalà mantecato (creamy cod spread on polenta) or polpette (meatballs), served at Arsenale bars and Ca’ Giustinian’s cafeteria; sarde in saor (sweet-sour sardines with onions and pine nuts), a historic dish tied to Venice’s trade routes.
• Festival-Specific Offerings: Post-performance receptions at Ca’ Giustinian feature spritz aperitifs (prosecco, Aperol, soda) and seasonal seafood risotto with lagoon shrimp; bookshop café offers artisanal gelato (flavors like fior di latte or pistachio) and ombra (small glasses of local Veneto wines); pop-up food stalls at Forte Marghera serve grilled octopus and tiramisù.
• Dietary Options: Vegan/gluten-free choices include risotto ai funghi (mushroom risotto), bigoli in salsa (pasta with onion-anchovy sauce, adaptable), and grilled vegetable plates; Forte Marghera food trucks offer polenta e schie (tiny shrimp) and vegan cicchetti with zucchini or artichoke spreads.
• Drinks: Local ombra wines (red Raboso, white Prosecco); bellini cocktails (prosecco with peach puree, invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice); non-alcoholic options include herbal infusions (rosemary, elderflower) from Biennale’s educational tastings and San Pellegrino sparkling drinks.

Getting There

• Airports: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE, 13km from Venice, 20min by water taxi or ATVO bus, €10–€15); Treviso Airport (TSF, 32km, 40min by Barzi bus, €12); connections via Milan or Rome for international travelers.
• Public Transport: ACTV vaporetto water buses serve Arsenale and San Marco stops (lines 1/2, €9.50 single ticket, €25 for 24hr pass); Alilaguna airport boat connects Marco Polo to Venice (€15, stops at Arsenale); free shuttle buses from Piazzale Roma to Tronchetto parking; Mestre train station (10min train to Venice, €1.50) for Forte Marghera events.
• Parking: Limited in Venice; Tronchetto garage (€25–30/day, 10min vaporetto to venues); mainland Mestre lots for Forte Marghera (€10–15/day, 15min bus to Venice); pre-book via ParkVia for discounts.
• Walking/Cycling: Venice’s compact, car-free core is walkable (15min from San Marco to Arsenale); bike rentals at Giardini or Lido (€5/hr via BicinCittà); wheelchair-accessible paths via Vela services, with ramps at key venues.
• Sustainability and Accessibility: Biennale promotes public transport to reduce emissions; water taxis offer wheelchair lifts; dog-sitting services at venues via Bauadvisor.it; free mobility aids (scooters, wheelchairs) available with pre-booking at Ca’ Giustinian.

Accommodation Options

• Budget: Hostels like Generator Venice (€50–80/night, shared dorms on Giudecca, 5min vaporetto to Arsenale); campsites on Lido island (€40–60/tent, 15min ferry to Venice); budget guesthouses in Mestre (€60–90/night, near Forte Marghera).
• Mid-Range: Hotels like Hotel Antico Doge (€100–150/night, San Marco views, 5min walk to Ca’ Giustinian); B&Bs in Cannaregio (€80–120/night) offer authentic Venetian charm with canal views; Hotel Al Piave (€120–180/night, near Teatro Malibran).
• Luxury: Gritti Palace (€400–600/night, Grand Canal suites, 10min vaporetto to Arsenale); Aman Venice (€800+/night, historic palazzo with private canal access); Hotel Danieli (€350–550/night, near San Marco with rooftop dining).
• Festival Packages: Biennale-tied stays at JW Marriott Venice Resort (€250–400/night, Isola delle Rose with free shuttles to venues); Airbnb apartments in Dorsoduro (€120–200/night, walking distance to Arsenale); package deals with tickets via labiennale.org (e.g., hotel + performance for €200–€500).
• Family/Group Options: Aparthotels like Ca’ dei Dogi (€150–250/night, with kitchens, near San Marco); eco-friendly mainland options at Forte Marghera (€80–120/night, family suites); youth hostels like Ostello Santa Fosca (€60–100/night, group dorms in Cannaregio).