Dance and the art of movement run throughout the Grec 2025 Festival of Barcelona—starting from the opening show, Le Petit Cirque (sold out), which kicks off the festival from June 26 to 28 with a mix of music, dance, and circus. Taking over from there at Mercat de les Flors (and surrounding venues) is Italian artist Alessandro Sciarroni, whose work spans music, movement, and performance. 

His double bill U (un canto) and Save the last dance for me (Mercat de les Flors – Sala Maria Aurèlia Capmany; June 28 and 29) will introduce you to a form of male dance you may not have seen before. Also at Mercat de les Flors, on July 2 and 3 (also sold out), the Humanhood company (from Catalonia and the UK) presents Vortex, based on the swirling motion of vortexes.

The festival also features Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, one of Europe’s most acclaimed choreographers and dancers. His piece Ihsane (Teatre Grec; July 11 and 12; pictured. Photo: Gregory Batardon) explores familial bonds, performed by dancers from the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève (which he currently directs) and Eastman, his own company.

Highly anticipated is …Todas esas cosas dentro de las cosas que llamamos cosas escondidas en… (Mercat de les Flors – Sala Maria Aurèlia Capmany; July 6 and 7), the latest choreography by Jesús Rubio Gamo, a key figure in contemporary dance. If you also want to see Lorena Nogal (National Dance Prize 2024 – Interpretation), she’ll be performing at the Picasso Museum with Picassa (July 6 and 7) as part of the Creation and Museums program.

Among today’s big names is Christos Papadopoulos, returning to Barcelona with My Fierce Ignorant Step (Mercat de les Flors – Sala Maria Aurèlia Capmany; July 12 and 13), a piece on the euphoria of living — also sold out.

But the Grec goes far beyond the well-known names. Its mission includes introducing innovative and lesser-known works. One such artist is Raquel Gualtero (La Gualtero), a Barcelona-born, Amsterdam-trained dancer and choreographer premiering Complete Revolution at La Caldera (July 3–4), an exploration of rotational movement. Another is La Venidera, presenting their new work-in-progress NO (espectáculo en devenir) at Teatre Lliure Montjuïc – Espai Lliure (July 4 and 5) — also sold out.

Marco D’Agostin brings Asteroid to the CCCB (July 5 and 6), a lecture-performance about the extinction of dinosaurs, infused with musical theatre. Also on July 5 and 6 at Mercat de les Flors, Losinformalls present a love/hate letter to dance in a show that begins in total darkness.

Treasure hunters seeking small-scale gems (mostly intimate, unusual performances) will enjoy A plot / a scandal by Ligia Lewis, a choreographer known for her unconventional views on the body who is premiering in our stages.

If you’re drawn to particularly refined, personal aesthetics, don’t miss Victoria Aime and El Temblor’s Het Lamb Gods. Primera parte: La Pastora “Idilio” (Antic Teatre; July 10–13). Or at Teatre Tantarantana (July 11–12), immerse yourself in a virtual world with Kruid, a blend of dance, movement, and new tech by Carles Castaño Oliveros and Sau-Ching Wong. Come and dive into the virtual world.

Don't miss the debut collaboration (and first duet) of two essential figures in current dance: Luqui Lagomarsino and Guillem Jiménez (of laSADCUM), performing at Antic Teatre Duplex Studio (July 17–20). Also at Mercat de les Flors – Sala Ovidi Montllor (July 17–18), you can see Inferus by Gisela Riba, winner of the most recent Institut del Teatre Dance Prize.

Finally, flamenco lovers interested in contemporary creation should attend Martinicos le di a mi cuerpo, a flamenco cycle at the CCCB. On July 10, you can catch Leonor Leal, a flamenco dancer and creator who explores the artform through a visceral, modern lens.

If you don’t want to miss any of the dance offerings of the Grec 2025 Festival de Barcelona, check the full program and make your selection