From April 20 to 30, Costa Rica becomes the center of the contemporary arts scene with a program featuring performances, workshops, and events open to the public.

San José will be the stage for a new commitment to contemporary dance with the arrival of the Volcánica International Dance Festival 2026, an initiative that will take place from Monday, April 20, to Thursday, April 30, and which positions the country as a meeting place for artists, companies, and professionals in the performing arts.

Over ten days, the festival will showcase performances from countries such as Cuba, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus, Martinique, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile, alongside a strong presence of Costa Rican companies and artists.

More than just a performance lineup, Volcánica is conceived as a platform for artistic creation, dissemination, and exchange. Its goal is to strengthen the national dance scene, create opportunities for local artists, and introduce audiences to international works that engage through the body and movement.

A city captivated by dance

The festival is not confined to a single venue. Its program will unfold across iconic spaces throughout the capital, including the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar, the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, the Teatro de la Danza, the Teatro 1887, the Taller Nacional de Danza, the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, the Teatro Castella, and La Pila de la Melaza.

This variety of locations broadens the audience’s experience, allowing dance to move between institutional spaces and open areas, reaching diverse audiences and urban contexts.

International programs and local talent

The program features highlights such as MONDO by Susana Pous (Cuba); Fractured Divinities, a Belgium-based production for adult audiences by Mario Barrantes Espinoza, Joshua Serafin, and Lydia McGlinchey; Untold, from Martinique; and Link, by the National Contemporary Dance Company of the Dominican Republic.

At the national level, the festival will feature a wide range of participating groups, including the National Dance Company, Danza Universitaria of the University of Costa Rica, and Danza UNA of the National University. These will be joined by independent works from artists and collectives such as PLTFRM Danza, IMAGO Danza, Andrea Catania, Jimmy Ortiz, and Manon Marcel, reflecting the diversity and vitality of the local scene.

Training, exchange, and community

One of Volcánica’s defining features is its educational component, which includes master classes, specialized workshops, and reflective spaces led by professionals from Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

The program ranges from artistic production and improvisation to stage creation, body memory, rhythm, and the transformation of movement. In addition, creative workshops for children will be included, expanding the festival’s reach to new generations.

Tickets and sign-up

Tickets for the performances are available at the box office of the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar, both in physical and digital formats.

  • ₡3,000 general admission
  • ₡1,500 for students, seniors, and people with a BRETE card
  • Free admission for IMAS beneficiaries

There will also be special packages for dance schools and training centers.

Those interested in participating in the training activities must register through the form provided by the organizers. The full program will be available on the social media channels of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the Melico Salazar Popular Theater, the National Dance Workshop, and the National Dance Company.

To purchase tickets, you can go directly to the online ticket office:
https://boleteria.teatromelico.go.cr/

Sensorial Sunsets