International Artists Set to Take the Stage at Kenya’s Biggest Dance Event
Nairobi is preparing once again to become a meeting point for dancers, choreographers, musicians, and audiences from around the world as the Dance Life Festival returns for its 7th edition on 3rd–5th July, 2026.
Taking place at the Kenya National Theatre, the Festival is recognized as Kenya’s only international dance festival, and one of the region’s leading cultural events. The festival was launced in 2020 by Upstage Ltd. with support from Goethe-Institut Kenya. Since then, the Festival has welcomed artists from across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia, helping position Nairobi as an important destination for contemporary performance and cultural exchange. The most incredible part is that audiences can attend most performances absolutely free of charge.
“Strano” – Choreographed by Alessandro Shiatterella (Switzerland)
What is Dance Life Festival?
In just six years, Dance Life Festival has grown from an ambitious dance event into one of Nairobi’s most dynamic cultural platforms – a festival that comfortably moves between theatre stages, street corners, music venues and community halls.
Founded in 2020, the Festival brings together dancers, choreographers, musicians, filmmakers, and audiences from around the world for performances, workshops, collaborations, and cultural exchange in Nairobi. The Festival is committed to breaking silos within the dance community by presenting a wide range of genres and performance styles, while creating accessible opportunities for audiences to engage with contemporary performance.
The Festival strikes a balance between internationally minded programming alongside a real investment in local audiences and artists. Last year’s edition drew more than 2,000 people, with one of its standout moments unfolding not in a theatre, but in the middle of the CBD. A large-scale street performance at Hilton Square turned an ordinary city afternoon into a public dance spectacle, pulling in curious passersby and reminding Nairobi that contemporary performance doesn’t have to stay behind ticketed doors.
“Hata Dakika” – Rabia Ngwache & Deosantus Ivan (Tanzania). Dance Life Festival 2025
It has also become a gateway for international artistic exchange. The 2025 edition featured acclaimed Malian musicians Madou & Doucoura in a rare appearance for West African world music artists within Kenya’s dance and performance scene, and a reminder of the festival’s growing regional reach.
Dance Life’s impact isn’t only measured by headline performances. Much of its work happens in studios, classrooms and community spaces across the city. In 2025, workshops were held at venues including Goethe-Institut Kenya, Artzone Studios, Kangemi Social Hall, Kayole Social Hall and Project Elimu in Kibera, bringing together dozens of participants from different parts of Nairobi.
That mix of international collaboration, grassroots engagement and genre-blending programming is what has helped Dance Life Festival carve out its identity as one of East Africa’s most exciting independent cultural meeting points.
Highlights of the 2026 Programme
This year’s Festival promises another ambitious international program, bringing together choreographers and performers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Switzerland, and Mali.
“Inceptions” – Dancing Feet (Kenya). Dance Life Festival 2025
One of the major highlights of this year’s edition will be the Kenyan debut of the National Ballet of Congo, a unit of the Compagnie Théâtre National Congolais (Congolese National Theatre Company). This will be the first time the company will perform in Kenya , offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience some of Central Africa’s most enduring dance traditions.
Another highlight will be a special concert performance by internationally acclaimed Malian kora musician Wassa Kouyaté, who will make her Nairobi debut as part of the Festival. The performance will be separately ticketed, with advance tickets already available.
Also performing will be Ondiege Matthew OGW, who was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior in 2025 (a prestigious presidential state honour awarded to distinguished Kenyans) in recognition of his life’s dedication to training, mentoring, and empowering marginalized artists in Kenya. Festival Director and Curator Adam Chienjo (Kenya) will premiere Melting Ice, a new interdisciplinary performance exploring the climate crisis through contemporary dance. Choreographed by Chienjo himself, with dramaturgy by Luke Pell (UK), the work brings together dance, music, visual art, and digital technology in a dramatic reflection on a world in transition.
“Nothing Knew” – Alan Alpenfelt & Noemi Ferrarri (Switzerland). Dance Life Festival 2025
Audiences should also expect to see performances by: Doudou Saidi (DRC), Stacey Achieng’ (Kenya), Johanna Heusser (Switzerland), Nipa Foundation (Tanzania), Wesley Ruzibiza (Rwanda & Tanzania), and Batalo East Dance Group (Uganda).
Workshops & Community Engagement
Beyond the performances, Dance Life Festival remains committed to nurturing dance practice, professional development, and cultural exchange in Kenya’s creative community. The Festival will host a series of workshops in Nairobi, currently scheduled to take place in late June. The workshops will be open to dancers of all experience levels, from beginners looking to explore movement to professionals seeking to deepen their practice.
Audiences and participants are encouraged to follow Dance Life Festival’s social media platforms for workshop announcements and registration information.
Showcase Free Entry & Registration
Entry to the Dance Life Festival showcase performances on 3rd-5th July 2026 is free – but you need to REGISTER HERE in advance due to limited capacity.
The only ticketed event will be the special Wassa Kouyaté concert performance. Tickets are available on Mookh.
Workshop dates, registrations, and full programming updates, will be shared via the Festival’s official platforms:
- Website: dancelifefestival.com
- Social Media (Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook): @dancelifefestival
About Upstage Limited
Upstage is an artist-led nonprofit that creates bold, inclusive platforms for the performing arts in East Africa. Their work is rooted in the intersection of dance, music, and interdisciplinary expression. They operate across four core areas: Festivals & Events that showcase high-quality performances, expand access to contemporary arts, and grow local audiences; Creative Productions that develop original artistic products exploring urgent social themes and fostering cross-cultural dialogue; Workshops & Training: Upstage design and deliver training opportunities that help artists deepen their practice, expand their networks, and access decent work opportunities in the creative sector; Creative Services supporting international artists touring Kenya and East Africa.