Okay, so, dance festivals in Europe, right? That’s what I was digging into last month. I was feeling kinda blah, needed some culture, some energy, something different than my usual Netflix binge. So, I thought, “Hey, why not dance?”
First thing I did? I jumped online, naturally. Googled stuff like “best dance festivals Europe,” “unique dance events Europe,” you know, the usual keywords. I spent a good hour just scrolling through lists, clicking links, getting totally overwhelmed. There’s SO MUCH out there.
Then I realized, I needed to narrow it down. What kind of dance am I even interested in? Ballet? Contemporary? Something more…folksy? I decided I wanted something modern, maybe a little experimental. So I started adding those keywords to my searches: “modern dance festivals Europe,” “contemporary dance workshops Europe.”
Tip #1: Be specific! Don’t just search “dance festivals.” Figure out what style you’re into, or what you’re willing to try. It’ll save you a ton of time.
After that, I started checking out actual festival websites. This is where it gets real. I looked at dates, locations (obviously), and most importantly, the performers. I watched videos of past performances, read artist bios, tried to get a feel for the vibe of each festival.
- Avignon Festival (France): Heard it’s HUGE, but maybe too much theater along with dance for what I was looking for.
- Impulstanz (Vienna, Austria): Looked really cool, super contemporary, but the dates didn’t work for me.
- Holland Dance Festival (Netherlands): This one seemed like a good mix of established and emerging artists. Plus, Amsterdam is awesome!
Tip #2: Watch the videos! Pictures can be deceiving. Videos give you a real sense of the energy and style of the festival.
So, I ended up focusing on the Holland Dance Festival. I checked out their website, looked at the program, and started making a list of performances I wanted to see. I even looked into workshops, thinking it might be fun to try something new.
Next up? The boring but necessary stuff: booking flights and accommodation. I used Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights (flew into Schiphol, easy peasy). For accommodation, I went with an Airbnb. Wanted something central and a little bit quirky.
Tip #3: Book early! Especially for popular festivals. Flights and accommodation get expensive fast.
Then came the actual trip! The festival was amazing. I saw some incredible performances, met some cool people, and even took a beginner’s contemporary dance class (which was both hilarious and surprisingly challenging).
I documented everything, took tons of pictures and videos. It was so inspiring. I felt re-energized and creatively stimulated after the whole thing.
Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to try new things! Even if you think you “can’t dance.” The workshops are a great way to get involved and have some fun.
Overall, finding world-class dance festivals in Europe takes a bit of research, but it’s totally worth it. It’s a great way to experience different cultures, see amazing art, and maybe even discover a new passion. I’m already planning my next dance adventure!
