Battery Dance Presents The 45th Annual Battery Dance Festival

This August, Battery Dance returns to the waterfront in spectacular fashion, transforming Wagner Park into a vibrant hub of movement, music, and cultural celebration in partnership with Battery Park City Authority. The Festival begins on August 10 with dynamic community workshops led by selected local dance groups, inviting New Yorkers of all ages to connect directly with artists through shared movement and cultural exchange. On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the performances officially begin as the Festival proudly celebrates its legacy as New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival—an unforgettable annual tradition that brings together extraordinary artists and audiences from around the world.

The 45th Annual Battery Dance Festival marks a milestone moment, honoring 50 years of Battery Dance and the visionary leadership of founder and Artistic Director Jonathan Hollander. This landmark edition showcases a dazzling, multicultural lineup of artists, featuring bold voices and movement traditions from across the globe—uniting genres, cultures, and creative perspectives in a powerful celebration of artistic expression.

“Jonathan Hollander founded Battery Dance in 1976, and we are very proud to celebrate our legendary founder’s 50 years of leadership this summer with these spectacular performances,” said Executive Director Emad M. Salem. “The concurrence of America’s anniversary and of Battery Dance serves as a perfect opportunity to celebrate both, as we continue to fulfill our mission to build community and social cohesion.” 

“The Battery Dance Festival is a highlight of every summer, bringing more than 12,000 attendees to Wagner Park to enjoy world-class performances and workshops each year,” said Craig Hudon, Vice President, Parks Programming & Community Operations. “We are grateful that this annual celebration of community, culture and movements allows us to bring residents, visitors, and artists from around the world together right on our waterfront. We thank Battery Dance for their continued partnership and look forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary together this year.”

Returning to the stunning waterfront at Wagner Park, the Festival unfolds over a full week of dynamic programming. Each evening offers two exhilarating hours of performances, including the beloved interactive segment Everybody Dance Now, where audiences are invited to move, connect, and celebrate together.

With a distinct theme each night, the Festival remains rooted in its core mission: to present an eclectic spectrum of dance to New York audiences, expand access to the arts for all, and uplift emerging New York-based companies as vital voices in today’s dance landscape. This free, citywide celebration transforms the park into a vibrant hub of creativity—featuring performances, hands-on workshops at Battery Dance Studios, and immersive experiences designed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages.

Presented in partnership with Battery Park City Authority.

Battery Dance Festival Outdoor Free Community Workshops at Wagner Park:

On August 10, the Festival launches with an exciting series of free community dance workshops led by selected local dance groups participating in this year’s Festival, welcoming New Yorkers of all ages and experience levels to move, learn, and connect through dance. Designed especially for beginners, each 45-minute workshop will introduce participants to a different dance style and cultural tradition, creating an accessible and joyful space for discovery and community engagement. Workshops begin at 4:00pm and offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from artists while celebrating the diversity and energy of New York City’s dance community.

4:00pm – 4:45pm: Ashley Liang Dance Company

5:00pm – 5:45pm: Battery Dance

6:00pm – 6:45pm: Ina Medhanet

7:00pm – 7:45pm: Allpayana Danza Tradicional Ecuatoriana

ABOUT BATTERY DANCE

Founded by Jonathan Hollander in 1976 in lower Manhattan, Battery Dance now serves as one of America’s leading cultural ambassadors, connecting the world through dance. With its exceptional team of dancers who also serve as teaching artists and choreographers, the Company pursues artistic excellence and social relevance, creating vibrant new works, performing on the world’s stages, presenting dance in public spaces, serving the field of dance with low-cost studios in its home in Tribeca and teaching people of all ages with special attention to the disadvantaged and areas of conflict. Battery Dance is committed to enhancing the cultural vibrancy of its home community in New York City, extending programming throughout the U.S., and building bridges worldwide through international cultural exchange with programs in 75 countries to date https://batterydance.org/

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