Amelia Island Dance Festival returns Sept. 10-13

The island will host four days of performances, workshops, community events, and educational programs featuring professional, emerging, student, and local dance artists.

Now in its 8th season, the festival brings artists from across the country together with Northeast Florida performers and community members for a weekend designed to make dance accessible to audiences of all ages and experience levels.

A centerpiece of the festival is the Guest Artist Performance, presented four times throughout the weekend. The same professionally curated program will be offered at each performance, allowing audiences to select the date that works best for them.

The festival also provides opportunities for emerging choreographers, local performers, and young artists to present their work alongside established professionals.

Festival events include:

• Guest Artist Performances featuring professional dance artists and companies

• Emerging & Local Artist Performances highlighting regional and rising artists

• The Young Choreographers Performance featuring student-created works

• Dancing in the Park, a free outdoor community event with performances, activities, and opportunities for the public to participate

• More than 30 free dance workshops in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, modern, cultural dance traditions, and movement classes for a range of ages and experience levels

The festival's work extends beyond its September performances. Throughout the year, the Amelia Island Dance Festival provides educational  outreach, scholarships, artist residencies, and community programs that introduce children and adults to dance and movement.

“Our mission has always been to remove barriers to experiencing dance,” said Executive Artistic Director Susan Dodge. “Whether someone is attending their first performance, taking a workshop, watching their child perform, or seeing a professional artist on stage, we want people feel welcome and connected to what is happening.”

Since its founding in 2019, the Amelia Island Dance Festival has worked to expand access to dance in Northeast Florida while creating opportunities for professional artists, emerging choreographers, students, and local performers. The 2026 festival will take place at venues throughout Amelia Island from Sept. 10-13.

For schedules, tickets, free workshop registration, artist information, and sponsorship opportunities, visit Amelia Island Dance Festival.