In July, Kraków will once again transform into a massive open-air stage. From July 3–5 and 10–12, 2026, the city will host the 39th edition of the ULICA International Street Theatre Festival. Organized by the KTO Theatre under the artistic direction of Jerzy Zoń, it is one of the most prominent and recognizable street theatre events in Central and Eastern Europe.
The theme of this year’s edition is “La Strada”. Here, the road becomes both a subject and a way of thinking about street theatre: a wandering, living art, created in motion and through interaction with the audience. The motto nods to the tradition of artists roaming across cities and countries, the aesthetics of the circus, and the cinematic imagination of Federico Fellini. In this context, “La Strada” represents not just a route of travel, but a space for connection and sudden moments of wonder that we can witness right in the heart of the city.
“The road is both our home and our prison. We choose movement, because only in motion does our art breathe at full capacity. The street offers something no other place can. Suddenly, you are noticed by someone standing just half a meter away, playing a melody you’ve never heard before, but one that will stay with you for the rest of your life. ULICA is a festival that transcends language. You don’t need to know the words to understand emotion, gesture, imagery, rhythm, and the presence of another human being. I warmly invite you to Kraków for this year’s ULICA festival. Please open your hearts to every story that artists from all over the world are bringing to our city,” says Jerzy Zoń, Artistic Director of the festival.
The program of the 39th ULICA Festival will showcase the incredible diversity of contemporary outdoor theatre: from large-scale street spectacles, contemporary circus, and physical theatre, to dance, performance art, puppetry, and family-friendly shows. Kraków will welcome companies and artists representing vastly different stage languages, all united by a single conviction: that theatre can be close to the audience, free from distance and the boundaries set by the walls of a building.
39th ULICA Festival: Full Schedule >>> KLIK
Among the invited artists is the UK’s Motionhouse with their show Block—one of the most recognizable companies blending dance, acrobatics, and physical theatre. France’s Compagnie Accrorap / Kader Attou will present Prélude, showcasing a contemporary hip-hop dance language, while Catalan artist Guillem Albà brings the poetic Ma Solitud, a blend of visual theatre, humor, and puppetry precision. Belgian collective Circumstances will perform Beyond, a piece rooted in the intersection of circus and dance, and France’s Compagnie Tac O Tac will present Elefantaisie, a monumental outdoor spectacle inspired by surrealism and circus imagination. The lineup also features antagon theaterAKTion, Indonesia Performance Syndicate, Imre Bernath, Von B bis Z, TNT, Teatro SÓ, and Circ Pistolet, among others. Their presence highlights the truly international character of the festival and its openness to diverse performance traditions.
Polish companies and artists will also form a vital part of the program. Audiences will have the chance to see performances by the KTO Theatre, including their shows Arcadia, Peregrinus, and The Ball, alongside works by acclaimed groups such as Teatr Plastyczny Makata, Teatr MIGRO, Krakowski Teatr Tańca, Teatr Mimo, Teatr Niewielki, Teatr NEMNO, Muzikanty, Teatr Scena 96, and Teatr Szczęście. This selection offers a broad cross-section of diverse movements within homegrown outdoor theatre: from visual and musical spectacles and dance theatre to shows created specifically for families and the youngest audience members.
Performances will be staged across several locations in Kraków. Festival events will take place at the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), the Small Market Square (Mały Rynek), Podgórze Market Square (Rynek Podgórski), the plaza in front of Galeria Krakowska, the Dworek Białoprądnicki Cultural Center, and the Museum of Engineering and Technology.
This year, the festival will once again reach beyond Kraków. Part of the program will be presented in partner cities across Poland: Ełk, Konin, Limanowa, Niepołomice, Stalowa Wola, and Tarnów. This is a core element of the ULICA philosophy—a festival focused on building a network of connections with audiences in various regions of the country.
For more information, visit: teatrkto.pl/ulica-festival/
The 39th ULICA Festival is co-funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund – a state purpose-specific fund. The public task is funded by the City of Kraków.
