(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Roxey Ballet presents the 2026 River Dance Festival from August 15-16, 2026. This is an exciting multi-day celebration of dance, choreography, film, and artistic exchange that brings together emerging and established artists from across the nation.
Hosted by Roxey Ballet, the River Dance Festival has quickly become one of the region’s premier platforms for dance artists seeking to share new work, connect with fellow creators, and engage audiences through innovative performance experiences. The 2026 festival will continue this tradition by welcoming both young artists and seasoned choreographers to present original creations in an environment that encourages exploration, collaboration, and creative growth.
The festival serves as a unique meeting place where artists at all stages of their careers can exchange ideas, experiment with new concepts, and build meaningful connections within the dance community. Participants have the opportunity to showcase works-in-progress, fully realized performances, and interdisciplinary projects while engaging with audiences and fellow creators in a supportive and inspiring setting.
The 2025 River Dance Festival welcomed more than 30 dance companies and independent artists from throughout the tri-state region and beyond, with participating artists traveling from as far away as Texas, Florida, and California. The festival’s growing national reach reflects its reputation as a vibrant incubator for new artistic voices and innovative dance-making.
Adding to the excitement, the 2026 festival will feature the River Dance on Film Festival, a special showcase dedicated to the growing field of dance cinema. This component of the festival highlights the intersection of movement and filmmaking, providing artists with an opportunity to present original dance films and explore new ways of storytelling through digital media. Audiences will experience a diverse collection of works that expand the boundaries of traditional performance and celebrate the evolving relationship between dance and technology.
“River Dance Festival is about creating opportunities,” said Mark Roxey, Founder and Artistic Director of Roxey Ballet. “It is a place where artists can take risks, share their voices, discover new perspectives, and connect with audiences and fellow creators. We are proud to provide a platform that supports both emerging talent and established professionals while fostering a spirit of artistic innovation and community.”
The festival welcomes submissions from choreographers, dance companies, filmmakers, and interdisciplinary artists representing a wide range of styles, traditions, and creative approaches.
For festival information, submission guidelines, performance schedules, and updates, visit roxeyballet.org/riverdancefestival
The River Dance Festival is made possible through the generous support of public and private funders, sponsors, and community partners who believe in the power of the arts to enrich lives and strengthen communities.
Roxey Ballet gratefully acknowledges support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission; the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission; the Bucks County Foundation; corporate sponsors; local businesses; foundations; and the many individual donors whose support helps make innovative artistic programming accessible to audiences throughout the region.
Through their investment, the River Dance Festival continues to provide meaningful opportunities for artists to create, collaborate, and share new work while expanding public access to high-quality dance performances and dance film experiences.
Roxey Ballet extends its sincere gratitude to all supporters who help ensure that the arts remain a vibrant and essential part of our communities.
