37th Konark Dance Festival

The 37th Konark Dance Festival 2026 is a prestigious classical dance festival held from 1 to 5 December 2026 at the Open Air Auditorium in Konark, Odisha, against the magnificent backdrop of the historic Sun Temple. The festival celebrates India's rich classical dance traditions, with Odissi occupying a central place in the programme alongside forms such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam.

The five-day festival brings together acclaimed dancers and dance groups from across India and provides audiences with an opportunity to experience classical Indian dance in a unique heritage setting. The 2026 programme features several leading Odissi groups, including Srjan, Aloka Kanungo & Group, Nrutyanilaya, Tridhara and the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre.

Beyond its artistic significance, the festival highlights the close relationship between Odisha's temple architecture, music, dance and cultural heritage. The evening performances, held from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, create a distinctive atmosphere in the vicinity of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Konark Sun Temple. The festival therefore serves both as a major platform for classical dance and as an important cultural-tourism event that showcases Odisha's artistic heritage to audiences from India and abroad.