Battery Dance returns with its 44th Annual Festival, presenting free performances by international and New York-based dance companies. This year’s events span two locations. It begins with a special program at the newly reopened Wagner Park on August 9 and continues with five nights of performances at Rockefeller Park from August 12–16.

“For more than a decade our beautiful public spaces have played host to the beauty of the Battery Dance Festival, and we’re honored this year to host events both as part of Wagner Park’s reopening celebration, and in Rockefeller Park for five more fantastic evenings of dance,” said BPCA President & CEO Raju Mann.

The August 9 program begins at 7pm marking the official reopening of Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, which has been closed for the past two years due to coastal resiliency upgrades. The evening begins with Indigenous artist Marie Poncé. Next, tap dancer John Manzari takes the stage alongside a live band. The program continues with Frontiers by Turkish-Dutch choreographer Rutkay Özpinar. Finally, Limón Dance Company closes the night with José Limón’s, Choreographic Offering.

The festival officially kicks off on August 12 and runs through the 16th. Each night begins at 7 PM in Rockefeller Park. The lineup includes a mix of world and U.S. premieres by international and New York-based artists. In addition to the shows, audiences can enjoy workshops and immersive experiences designed for all ages.

2025 Battery Dance Festival Lineup by Day

*Program subject to change

• Tuesday, August 12: Recenter by John Manzari & Band (USA); Sense of Belonging (World Premiere) by Faizah Grootens for Battery Dance (USA); While You’re Here by Faizah Grootens (Netherlands); Bulareyaung Dance Company, Colors (Taiwan); Pace University’s Dancing to Connect (USA)

• Wednesday, August 13: UNARTE, Verso Roto (Spain – World Premiere); Theater Plauen–Zwickau Ballet Ensemble, Eden (South Korea/Germany); Platforma 13, Balkan Ballerinas (Romania – U.S. Premiere)

• Thursday, August 14: Kar’mel Small, La Manta de Reina (USA); Buglisi Dance Theatre, Sospiri (USA); Battery Dance, Empty Hand by Damani Pompey (World Premiere); Repeat performances by Theater Plauen–Zwickau, UNARTE, Eden, and Platforma 13

• Friday, August 15– India Day: Dances of Kerala: A showcase of five traditional Indian dance and martial arts forms from the Southwestern Indian state of Kerala: Kalaripayattu, Kutiyattam, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam; Live musicians will accompany each of the dance forms.

• Saturday, August 16: Mofassal Alif, In Search of You (Bangladesh); Ô’tänamos, Aeternus Viator (USA – World Premiere); Battery Dance, Sense of Belonging by Faizah Grootens (USA – World Premiere); Wan Dance, Mak Long (Indonesia – New York Debut); Dorchel Haqq, Swallow (USA – World Premiere); Al-Dal’ouna Dabka Team, Dal’ouna Events (USA)

Want to know more? Visit batterydance.org.