Dance Base and Assembly Festival add three must-see new shows to ambitious Fringe 2026 programme
Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, is known for curating an ambitious programme of Scottish and international shows every August, giving a world-class platform to Scottish up-and-coming and established dance artists. The festival runs in partnership with Assembly Festival, a collaboration now in its fourth year, and takes place in Dance Base’s purpose-built home in the heart of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
This year’s Dance Base Festival in partnership with Assembly Festival sees multiple perspectives collide under one roof, an urgent enquiry into who we are, where we come from, and how we move forward together. Rooted in Scotland and reaching globally, the programme brings artists together from across 12 countries to reimagine activism, heritage and identity through the body, offering audiences a visceral way to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Tony Mills, Artistic Director of Dance Base said: “We are super excited to present our 2026 Festival programme, in partnership with Assembly Festival for the fourth year in a row. This year’s festival aims to put a little bit more hip in your hop, give pole position a whole new meaning and offer a glimpse of the world through the lens of dance. With classes, shows and more… we’re sure you will be moved by movement this August.”
Dani Rae, Managing Director of Assembly Festival said: “We’re thrilled to be working again with Dance Base for the fourth year of our partnership. This year’s programme offers audiences an extraordinary glimpse into Scotland’s homegrown dance talent – as well as work from across the world. As part of our wider dance and physical theatre programme, look out for Daniel Nodder’s Only Bones or the return of 2025’s SOLD OUT By a Thread moving to the Music Hall at Assembly Rooms.”
NEW SHOWS ANNOUNCED
Heritage, Hip Hop and a re-imagining of our history run through three striking international additions to Dance Base’s already formidable Fringe offering. A Hong Kong Soul double bill, Gemini and Romantic 4:48am, explores interpersonal dynamics in high-density living. Detours Festival presents two award-winning pieces: Sab’r, a powerful solo Krump work, alongside Les Échos de la Rue, starring five breakers who transcend urban and personal struggles. From Busan, the next generation of Korean choreographers takes centre stage in a double bill featuring Kim Hyung-min’s DeRuWa, where five dancers are propelled by an accelerating beat, and Hwang Jungeun’s intimate and captivating solo Hazy.
As always, Dance Base nurtures and celebrates the breadth of Scottish dance talent, this year featuring, among others, YDance – Scottish Youth Dance company, Penny Chivas and her politically charged Where We Choose to Stand and Jack Anderson, Charlotte Mclean and Malin Lewis’ world premiere of brand new dance-theatre gig, not for glory which dissects heritage and resuscitates tradition, Marc Brew’s moving Boys Don’t Dance and Two Destination Language’s 40/40 celebrating the life of a woman, artist and a migrant. From Breakdancing to Butoh, from Pole Dance to politics – this diverse programme caters to both dance curious and dance-loving audiences.