UK theatre and dance festivals in 2019 - update

NOTORIOUS by The Famous Lauren Barri Holstein from Fierce Festival 2017. Photo: Manuel Vason

July

GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL | 21 JUN – 6 JUL | LONDON

London's leading outdoor arts festival — showcasing the very best of UK and international outdoor arts over two weeks in June and July.

SHUBBAK | 28 JUN – 14 JUL | LONDON

A biennial festival of contemporary Arab culture, showcasing visual arts, film, music, theatre, dance, literature and debate.

BE FESTIVAL | 2 – 6 JUL | BIRMINGHAM

The BE (Birmingham European) Festival brings an innovative programme of theatre, dance, comedy, circus, music, visual and performing arts to Birmingham every July.

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL | 4 – 21 JUL | MANCHESTER

Innovative new work in venues across Greater Manchester showcasing international and local talent across performing arts, visual arts and popular culture.

HAT FAIR | 5 – 7 JUL | WINCHESTER

Hat Fair is the UK's longest continually running festival of outdoor arts. Originally a busking festival, Winchester is taken over by street performers and performing arts once year.

LIVERPOOL ARABIC ARTS FESTIVAL | 5 – 14 JUL | LIVERPOOL

Each year this festival celebrates and showcases Arab culture through a programme of visual art, music, dance, film, theatre, literature and special events.

RIVER STAGE FESTIVAL | 5 JUL – 4 AUG | LONDON

A free outdoor festival featuring live music, dancing, theatre, DJs and family workshops across the summer, hosted by the National Theatre.

CASA | 16 – 27 JUL | LONDON

London's festival of Latin American arts, combining film, music, theatre and dance across two weeks.

LATITUDE FESTIVAL | 18 – 21 JUL | SUFFOLK

Music, film, theatre, outdoor theatre, dance, literature, poetry, cabaret and comedy all combined into a three day festival.

U.DANCE | 20 – 21 JUL | LONDON

A selection of the best youth dance groups from across the UK. Audiences will see a range of dance styles performed, as well as short dance films, made by or with young people.

SURGE FESTIVAL | 26 – 28 JUL | GLASGOW

The event brings some of the best of Scottish and international street art, music, theatre, food and drink, visual art, film, comedy, dance, fashion and design.

August

CAMDEN FRINGE | 29 JUL – 25 AUG | LONDON

A festival showcasing experienced performers as well as newcomers, encompassing new writing, opera, musicals, comedy, dance, cabaret and poetry.

HIGHTIDE FESTIVAL EDINBURGH | 31 JUL – 26 AUG | EDINBURGH

HighTide presents new writing, contemporary performance, political and provocative work created by diverse artists in Edinburgh, before transferring to Aldeburgh.

STOCKTON INTERNATIONAL RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL | 1 – 4 AUG | STOCKTON

An annual festival that packs in four days worth of outdoor theatre, circus, dance and music across Stockton town centre.

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE | 2 – 26 AUG | EDINBURGH

The world's largest fringe performing arts festival.

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL | 2 – 26 AUG | EDINBURGH

The Edinburgh International Festival brings audiences and artists together from all over the world with an international programme of theatre, classical music, opera, dance, and visual art.

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES | 3 – 11 AUG | LLANRWST

An eclectic mix old and new, the Eisteddfod is a celebration of Wales, its culture and its language.

MADE IN SCOTLAND SHOWCASE | 3 – 27 AUG | EDINBURGH

Made in Scotland is a curated showcase of Scottish performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, supported through the Scottish government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

EDINBURGH SHOWCASE | 19 – 24 AUG | EDINBURGH

The British Council's Edinburgh Showcase is an opportunity for UK theatre companies to introduce their work to international promoters. The 2019 programme presents 30 productions reflecting the diversity of British performing arts.

SO FESTIVAL 2019 | 30 AUG – 1 SEPT | EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

East Lincolnshire’s leading arts and culture festival brings two days of outdoor art to the streets of Skegness and Mablethorpe, and provides opportunities for the community to get involved.

September

LAKES ALIVE | 6 – 8 SEPT | CUMBRIA

Lakes Alive brings outdoor performance to the lake district, offering audiences an opportunity to see illuminations, digital performance and intimate showcases. 

HIGHTIDE FESTIVAL ALDEBURGH | 10 – 15 SEPT | ALDEBURGH

HighTide will present new writing, contemporary performance, political and provocative work created by new diverse artists.

AFRICA UTOPIA | 13 – 15 SEPT | LONDON

Live art, music and debates exploring how Africa and its diaspora shape the way we think abut art, culture, gender, race, sexuality, fashion, activism and society.

SICK! FESTIVAL | 18 SEPT – 5 OCT | MANCHESTER

A festival that explores the complexities of mental and physical health with an international arts programme of dance, theatre, installations and debates incorporating perspectives from public health professionals and research.

ABANDON NORMAL DEVICES | 26 – 29 SEPT | MANCHESTER AND ONLINE

A roaming biennial programme with new commissions in public art, site specific film and digital productions.

October

DANCE UMBRELLA | 8 – 27 OCT | LONDON

Dance Umbrella celebrates 21st century choreography through an annual international festival in London.

NOTTDANCE | 9 - 13 OCT | NOTTINGHAM

The festival presents theatre, dance, classical and roots music, visual, film and digital arts and literature as well as outreach and education events across venues and locations in Belfast.

FIERCE FESTIVAL | 15 OCT – 3 NOV | BIRMINGHAM

The festival presents theatre, dance, classical and roots music, visual, film and digital arts and literature as well as outreach and education events across venues and locations in Belfast.

BELFAST INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL | 15 OCT – 3 NOV | BELFAST

The festival presents theatre, dance, classical and roots music, visual, film and digital arts and literature as well as outreach and education events across venues and locations in Belfast.

DANCE LIVE | 17 – 27 OCT | ABERDEEN

Dance Live brings a diverse programme of contemporary dance performance to Aberdeen as well as workshops, community projects and classes. 

November

OUTBURST QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL | 7 – 16 NOV | BELFAST

An annual celebration of queer art and performance in Belfast, including grassroots events, professional touring productions and specially commissioned works.

CARDIFF DANCE FESTIVAL | TBC | CARDIFF

New and existing work in contemporary dance by a mix of artists and companies from Wales, the UK and international countries.

December

HOMOTOPIA | TBC | LIVERPOOL

An annual festival of local, UK and international LGBTQ+ arts and culture. Including new theatre, contemporary dance, visual art, debate, community participation, and film.

These are just some of the festivals we’re working with or recommending to international colleagues. Do you run a UK festival that’s not on this list? Get in touch and invite our team to get an update on your work. You can email us at theatreanddance@britishcouncil.org.