DanceLive Festival 2026

DanceLive is back in Aberdeen from 15 to 19 October, and this year is a bit of a milestone: it's the twentieth edition of the festival. It's Citymoves Dance Agency's annual celebration of dance in the city, and the programme is spread across theatres and a few more unusual locations around Aberdeen, so you'll find it popping up in different spots rather than all in one place. Along with the performances, Citymoves rounds out the bill with workshops and classes, so there's a bit of a participatory side to it as well.

One of the highlights this year is Solitude Without Loneliness, an absurdist dance theatre drama by Stirling-based choreographer Malcolm Sutherland, which plays at The Anatomy Rooms. It follows three characters searching for connection with each other and themselves, and Sutherland tells the story through strong, dynamic dancing, physical storytelling and a shifting blend of darkness and comedy. It's the kind of piece that sits somewhere between a dance performance and a play, with the movement doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

There's also a bit of a supportive side to the festival this year. The Work Room is partnering with Citymoves to support two early-career dancers who've never attended DanceLive before. Each gets a £300 bursary, reimbursed return public transport, a hotel room and a complimentary Festival Pass, all as a way to get them immersed in the Scottish dance community. It's a nice touch that looks after people coming in from outside the city.

Tickets are £16, with a concession of £11, and you can get any two shows for £25. If you're bringing a group of eight or more, there's £5 off and one free ticket for every fifteen. With the festival running across five days and spread over different venues, it's easy to pick a couple of things and make a proper outing of it.