Contemporary and urban dance performances to discover in Paris

Modern dance continues to captivate audiences with its creativity and daring. In 2025, Paris, a cultural mecca, offers a series of contemporary and urban dance performances that push back artistic boundaries and offer unique experiences. For amateurs and the curious alike, these performances are an opportunity to explore new forms of bodily expression, breaking withclassic codes.

Contemporary and urban dance are characterized by a freedom of movement that allows choreographers and dancers to break free from the traditional rules of ballet. In 2025, Parisianshows offer a diversity of styles, from minimalist pieces to more complex, narrative choreography. Each performance showcases singular artistic universes, where emotions are conveyed through innovative, expressive movements and are often accompanied by contemporary music.

These modern dance shows take place in the capital's iconic venues, such as the Théâtre de la Ville and the Palais de Tokyo, famous for hosting avant-garde works. To attend a contemporary and urban dance show in Paris in 2025 is to discover a living, constantly evolving discipline. It's an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of liberated movement, where the boundaries between dance, theater and visual art merge.

Contemporary and urban dance performances to discover

Below are the creations currently in progress and the shows soon to be performed in Paris.

Contemporary and urban dance performances to see right now:

Freestyle Villette: the House of Urban Cultures in the 19th arrondissement, upcoming programming
To celebrate urban cultures, the city of Paris is building a Maison des cultures urbaines in the heart of the Parc de La Villette. From October 4, 2025, you'll be able to discover urban dance, music, sports and street art. [Read more]

Los Guardiola: wordless poetry and dreamlike dance at Théâtre des Gémeaux Parisiens
Dance, movement theater and daydreams come together in Fantaisie en 7 rêves et demi, a wordless show for ages 8 and up, every Saturday at 5pm from January 3 to February 28, 2026. [Read more]

Contemporary and urban dance performances announced for the near future:

Dance Theatre of Harlem: New York ballet returns to Paris
Dance Theatre of Harlem returns to France after a 40-year absence with two programs at the Palais des Congrès de Paris from February 26 to 28, 2026. [Read more]

Empreintes at the Palais Garnier: dance in dialogue with images
The Empreintes evening at the Palais Garnier brings together choreographers Jessica Wright, Morgann Runacre-Temple and Marcos Morau. To be discovered from March 11 to 28, 2026, in a program combining dance, video and light. [Read more]

Béjart Ballet Lausanne: Béjart et nous, L’Oiseau de Feu and Boléro at La Seine Musicale
The Béjart Ballet Lausanne presents Béjart et nous, L’Oiseau de Feu and Boléro at La Seine Musicale from March 11 to 15, 2026, a choreographic triptych paying tribute to Maurice Béjart. [Read more]

The Rise at the Dôme de Paris in April 2026
The Rise, a dystopian musical and choreographic fresco, will be at the Dôme de Paris from April 3 to 12, 2026, with 33 artists on stage. [Read more]

Black Legends: the musical arrives at La Seine Musicale
Black Legends, the musical comedy celebrating 20th-century black American music, returns to Paris. The show, which has already attracted over 200,000 spectators, is due to be staged at La Seine Musicale on March 20 and 21, 2026. [Read more]

Afanador by Ballet Nacional de España: flamenco between tradition and reinvention
The Ballet Nacional de España presents Afanador at the Théâtre du Châtelet from March 27 to April 2, 2026, a creation by Marcos Morau inspired by photography. [Read more]

Maldonne: Leïla Ka celebrates women's solidarity at Théâtre du Rond-Point
From May 11 to 13, 2026, Leïla Ka presents "Maldonne" at the Théâtre du Rond-Point, a choreographic piece for five dancers about sisterhood. [Read more]

Hans van Manen: Dutch National Ballet pays tribute to the neo-classical master
Dutch National Ballet celebrates Hans van Manen with four major works by the Dutch choreographer, as part of the TranscenDanses season at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. [Read more]