Perth Moves 2026: International Dance Takes Over Forrest Place

Perth is set to become a global dance destination as Perth Moves 2026 returns to Forrest Place from 21–28 February, bringing together internationally acclaimed choreographers and dancers for a week of free, unforgettable dance experiences.

The festival, presented by STRUT Dance with Performing Lines and Perth Festival, features three headline events: the open-air XXL dance workshop CERCLES, the All-Styles, All-Ages Dance Battle, and a new site-specific performance, Concrete Echoes.

The festival kicks off with the All-Styles, All-Ages Dance Battle, a high-energy event open to dancers of all backgrounds and styles, judged by an international panel and accompanied by a DJ and MC. The focus is on expression and inclusivity, making it a highlight for both participants and spectators.

Concrete Echoes, commissioned by STRUT Dance and created by award-winning New Zealand/Aotearoa duo Ta’alili, brings together street and contemporary dancers from across the Indo-Pacific for a powerful, site-responsive performance under the stars in Boorloo/Perth. The work celebrates the diversity and creative exchange of the Asia-Pacific dance community, coinciding with the Australian Performing Arts Market.

French choreographer Boris Charmatz, renowned for his radical approach to dance, brings his latest project CERCLES to Perth in an Australian exclusive. This open-air workshop invites 150 amateurs and a dozen professional dancers to explore circular movement, accompanied by a live soundtrack from Hamburg’s techno brass band Meute. The project, previously staged at Festival d’Avignon, Wuppertal, and Paris’s Grand Palais, transforms Forrest Place into a communal dance space, breaking down barriers to world-class dance.

Perth Moves also includes a three-week Workshop Series for professional dance artists, offering unique opportunities for skills development and international networking. STRUT Dance, based in Boorloo Perth, continues to champion the region’s artistic diversity and professional growth in dance.

All events are free to attend, reinforcing Perth’s reputation as a vibrant hub for international artistic exchange and local participation.

CERCLES is free to watch, more information here

Concrete Echoes is free to watch, more information here

The Perth Moves Dance Battle is free to watch and participate in, more information here