Synopsis
27 – 29 October 2026
Youth Dance Festival 2026: The Metaverse
Ausdance ACT’s Youth Dance Festival (YDF) continues to be one of Canberra’s most significant and enduring youth arts programs, celebrating more than four decades as a cornerstone of the ACT arts and education calendar. Non-competitive, co-creative, inclusive, and curriculum-aligned, YDF provides young people with a safe, creative, and empowering platform to choreograph, perform, connect, and express themselves through dance.
In 2026, YDF invites audiences to step into The Metaverse.
Explore a world where the boundaries between reality and the digital universe have blurred, and where technology, gaming, social media, and virtual connection are transforming the way we move, communicate and experience life. Through imaginative choreography and dynamic performances, dancers from across Canberra and the surrounding region will bring this year’s theme to life, examining the opportunities, challenges, and possibilities of an increasingly online mediated world.
Join us for an inspiring celebration of creativity, innovation and youth expression as performers take to the stage to explore what it means to live, learn and connect in The Metaverse.
Produced by Ausdance ACT, the non-for-profit peak body for dance. With Creative Direction by Dr Cathy Adamek and School Coordination by Debora Di Centa.
Tuesday 27 October
Burgmann Anglican School • Canberra College • Canberra Grammar School • Canberra High School • Caroline Chisholm School • Lyneham High School • Mount Stromlo High School • Radford College • St Mary MacKillop College • UC SSC Lake Ginninderra
Wednesday 28 October
Alfred Deakin High School • Black Mountain School • Calwell High School • Canberra Girls Grammar School • Evelyn Scott School • Lake Tuggeranong College • Marist College Canberra • Melrose High School • Monaro High School
Thursday 29 October
Amaroo School • Erindale College • Gungahlin College • Hawker College • Kingsford Smith School • Narrabundah College • St John Paul II College • Trinity Catholic College Goulburn
Ticket prices
Standard
$51.00
Concession^
$44.00
Child (18 and under)
$44.00
Groups 4+ (per person)
$46.00
^Available Concessions: Pension Card Holder, Health Care Card, Full Time Student
* A transaction fee applies. This range includes Concession, Groups or Package prices which have specific requirements.
Dates & Times
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 7pm
Wednesday 28 October 2026, 7pm
Thursday 29 October 2026, 7pm
Details
PRESENTED BY:
Ausdance ACT
DURATION:
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, with no interval.
LATECOMERS:
For most performances, latecomers cannot be admitted until a break in the performance. Please allow plenty of time to cover traffic and parking delays.
WARNINGS:
This performance may contain strobe lighting and haze effects.
AGE SUITABILITY:
This performance is suitable for audiences of all ages.
VENUE:
The Playhouse
SEATING PLAN
ACCESS INFORMATION
NEED TO KNOW
TICKETING & SAFETY
Canberra Ticketing is the authorised ticket seller for this event with tickets sold and issued by QTIX as the ticketing agent. Please be aware that Canberra Ticketing has no obligation to honour tickets purchased via unauthorised re-sellers. If you attend the event with a ticket purchased via an unauthorised re-seller such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or otherwise, you may be refused entry to the event.
Find further information on ticket resale and scalping here.
CONCESSIONS
A range of concession prices are available to all of our Canberra Ticketing patrons, and the exact nature of concessions will vary from show to show. We recommend that you check the specific pricing of each show when making your purchasing decision. Where concession prices are listed, proof of eligibility for concession must be presented at the Canberra Ticketing Box Office upon collection of tickets or full price may be charged.
