After another exciting summer tour throughout Queens parks and plazas, the 2026 Queensboro Dance Festival tour culminates in a grand finale at Queens Theatre! Presenting 20 Queens-based dance companies, this one-day celebration features 3 different shows, plus free dance lessons, artist talkbacks, and a dance parties in the lobby and cabaret. Meet us early outside at the Unisphere for a special celebration to kick off the day.
SCHEDULE
(Shuttle service will be available from Mets-Willets Pt. 7 train station to Queens Theatre beginning at 1pm and running every 10 minutes till an hour after the final show.)
Saturday August 15, 2026
(ASL Interpretation provided throughout the day)
12:00 PM Finale Kick Off at the Unisphere with a community drum circle led by Kofago Dance Ensemble (all welcome to join, bring a drum!)
12:30pm Parade from Unisphere to Queens Theatre lobby led by San Simon Cochabamba (all welcome to join)
1:00PM Preshow dance party in lobby with DJ Elephantglasses
2:00PM SHOW, Mainstage
Nā Pua Mai Ka Lani Nūioka (Hawaiian Hula)
Ah-Molla Dance Collective (Contemporary & House Fusion)
Silvana Brizuela Weigel (Argentine Folklore and Tango)
San Simon Cochabamba (Bolivian Caporales)
Flamenco Latino (Flamenco dance)
RH Moves (Contemporary)
Manhatitlan (Mexican Folkloric dance)
3:15-3:45pm 30-minute Mexican Dance Workshop in Lobby with Manhatitlan
3:30-3:45pm 15-minute Meet The Artist Talkback in Cabaret with Flamenco Latino, RH Moves, Kingdom Dance Company, Robert Mark Dance
4-4:30pm 30-minute Hawaiian Hula Dance Workshop in Lobby with Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka
5:00PM SHOW, Mainstage
Robert Mark Dance (Contemporary)
Kinding Sindaw (Indigenous Southern Philippines)
The Kingdom Dance Company (Hip-hop)
Cole Collective (Tap dance)
Allpayana danza tradicional ecuatoriana (Ecuadorian dance)
Drye/Marinaro Dance Company (Contemporary)
6:15-6:45pm 30-minute Northern Philippines Dance Workshop in Lobby with Cordillera Cultural Ensemble
6:30-6:45pm 15-minute Meet The Artist Talkback in Cabaret with Drye/Marinaro Dance Company, Cole Collective, Queens Ballet Collective
7:00PM SHOW, Mainstage
Queens Ballet Collective (Ballet)
Gotham Dance Theater (Street Jazz Fusion)
Jatary Sunchy Danza y Proyección Escénica (Ecuadorian dance)
Cucala Dance Company (NY-style Salsa)
Kofago Taraji (African Diasporic)
CORDILLERA CULTURAL ENSEMBLE (Indigenous Northern Philippines)
Neela Zareen (Classical Indian Kathak dance)
8pm (Immediately after last performance)15-minute Meet The Artist Talkback on Theater Mainstage with Gotham Dance Theater, Neela Zareen, Cucala Dance, and Kinding Sindaw
8:30-9:30pm: Cast and Community Reception in Lobby with DJ Lady Katie
TICKETS (all prices include a $2 per ticket fee or $6 per passport fee)
TICKETS TO INDIVIDUAL SHOWS
Pay-What-You-Can Ticket Tiers (general admission): Please choose a tier that best fits your ability to support Queens dance!
$12 – Neighbor
$17 – Friend
$22 – Community
$27 – Champion
$42 – Leader - receive a Season Poster signed by the dancers
$52 – Visionary - receive a Season Poster signed by the dancers and a QDF t-shirt
PASSPORT TO ALL 3 SHOWS
Pay-What-You-Can Finale Passport (general admission): An all-day access pass to all 3 shows!
$36 – Traveler
$66 – Globetrotter - receive a Season Poster signed by the dancers and a QDF t-shirt
$81 – Explorer - receive a Season Poster signed by the dancers and a QDF t-shirt
(Add the passport first, and then add 1 ticket of each performance to the cart.)
About Queensboro Dance Festival
Launched in 2014, Queensboro Dance Festival (QDF) was created out of a need for easier artist access to a dance community within Queens, and to cultivate audiences in underserved Queens neighborhoods. Every summer, QDF tours throughout Queens’ local parks, plazas, and streets, reaching 10,000 people each year and serving hundreds of local artists. QDF proudly presents professional Queens-based dance companies of diverse cultures and styles, offering over 30 free outdoor performances, classes, and dance parties to the public. QDF also supports dance companies with a variety of artist services and resources tailored to Queens dancers.
With the mission to strengthen the dance community in Queens and inspire a greater appreciation for Queens dance, QDF exists as a platform for Queens’ underrepresented cultures, where contemporary and cultural groups come together to share their artistry with fellow Queens neighbors. QDF celebrates cultural exchange cultural exchange, upholding the values equity, curiosity, quality, and connection.
QDF has been cited for its community impact in the first 2017 Create NYC Cultural Plan; a 2018 honoree of Queens Pride with a Proclamation from NYS Comptroller’s Office Thomas P. DiNapoli and certificate from NYC Public Advocate Letitia James; 2019 LIC Game Changer Award with Best in Arts & Humanities, certificate from Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, and 2023 Citation of Honor by Queensborough President Donovan Richards. QDF was named in 2024 City & State’s Power 100 in Arts and Culture, and earned a Proclamation from Councilmember Julie Won in 2026.
