Fancy swapping the dancefloor for the French Alps this summer? The Avoriaz Danse Festival returns from 22 to 28 August 2026, bringing seven days of classes, masterclasses, performances and late-night parties to the mountain resort of Avoriaz.
Now in its 16th edition, the festival has established itself as a major event for dance enthusiasts, with a programme designed to accommodate everyone from enthusiastic beginners to experienced dancers. And with the mountains providing the backdrop, it offers a rather more scenic setting than your average dance studio.
Dance in the French Alps
The Avoriaz Danse Festival covers an impressively broad range of styles. Salsa, bachata, tango, rock and hip-hop all feature alongside other forms of dance, giving participants the chance to try something completely new or polish skills they already possess.
Classes begin at 9am each day, except Saturday when the first sessions start at 10am. Throughout the week, internationally recognised teachers and dancers lead workshops and masterclasses, while demonstrations and live performances provide plenty of inspiration.
The festival is not simply about watching professionals perform. Its emphasis is firmly on participation, allowing visitors to spend their days learning new moves before putting them into practice during the evening events.
A New Space for Solo Dance
One of the big additions for Avoriaz Danse Festival 2026 is a dedicated area devoted to solo dance styles.
Participants can train and perform alongside acclaimed dancers and guests including Loan, Kryss Léo, Wasaodilon and Anna, with sessions covering hip-hop, commercial, heels and afro.
The new space adds another dimension to the festival, particularly for those who prefer dancing without a partner. It also gives participants the opportunity to explore different approaches to movement and individual expression under the guidance of experienced performers.
From the Dancefloor to the Guinguette
Not everything at the festival requires serious concentration on footwork. The event also has a strong social side, with evening dance parties and a central guinguette providing a place to relax, meet other participants and compare notes about the day’s classes.
Evening events begin at 10pm and normally continue until 1am. On the Thursday and Saturday show nights, they carry on until 2am.
So don’t expect to be tucked up beneath your duvet at a sensible alpine hour. The combination of daytime classes and late-night dancing makes this a festival for anyone prepared to trade a quiet mountain evening for a few more spins around the dancefloor.
What Does the Avoriaz Danse Festival Cost?
There are several ticket options for the Avoriaz Danse Festival 2026:
- One-day pass: €63
- One-day couple pass: €113
- Three-day pass: €132
- Three-day couple pass: €237
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday pass: €115
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday couple pass: €207
- Weekly pass: €183
- Weekly couple pass: €278
- Evening pass: €15
Online registration closes at 8pm on Thursday 20 August 2026, so leave it until the last minute at your peril.
Where to Stay in Avoriaz
For those travelling from the UK, a week at the festival can easily become a proper Alpine summer break.
A seven-night stay at Residence Antares, arriving on 22 August 2026, costs from £470 in total based on four people sharing a self-catered apartment. Flights and transfers are extra.
Self-catering also makes sense for a dance festival, giving you somewhere to recover, refuel and prepare for another energetic evening rather than having to eat out after every class.
And when you’re not dancing, Avoriaz offers plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding mountains, whether you fancy walking, cycling or simply enjoying the spectacular Alpine scenery.
Avoriaz Danse Festival 2026 Details
Dates: 22 to 28 August 2026
Location: Avoriaz, French Alps
Classes: From 9am daily, except Saturday from 10am
Evening events: 10pm to 1am, extending to 2am on Thursday and Saturday show nights
Weekly pass: From €183
Accommodation: Residence Antares from £470 for seven nights, based on four sharing
For more information about the resort and planning your trip, visit the official Avoriaz website (below). And for more insight on what to do in Avoriaz, read Mark Bibby Jackson’s Ticking the Right Snowboxx in the Alps.