Australian Youth Dance Festival Returns in 2025 with Expanded, Inclusive Program

The Australian Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) is making a highly anticipated return from July 17–20, 2025, in Narrm/Melbourne, promising its most ambitious and inclusive program to date. This iteration marks a significant expansion, embracing street dance styles for the first time and opening its doors to independent and professional artists alongside traditional youth company dancers.

AYDF 2025 will feature two distinct programming streams—Youth Dance and Professional Development—offering participants a curated four-day journey at Space Dance & Arts Centre in Prahran. Each stream is meticulously designed to cater to individual interests and career goals.

Elise Brennan, Programming Manager at Ausdance VIC, enthusiastically states, “The AYDF 2025 program redefines what youth dance can become, breaking away from tradition to celebrate diversity and bold new voices. It’s unlike anything AYDF has done before, offering young artists a space to explore movement and connection in powerful new ways.”

Beyond the workshops, participants will have the unique opportunity to delve into Narrm/Melbourne’s vibrant artistic landscape through guided excursions. These will include visits to iconic venues such as Dancehouse, Lucy Guerin Inc at WXYZ Studios, and Chunky Move, offering invaluable insight into the city's dance scene.

Festival highlights include:

• Street Dance meets Contemporary: For the first time, AYDF will bridge these distinct worlds, fostering creative exchange and dialogue between different movement styles.
• Curated Artistic Journey: Every participant will embark on a bespoke program, expertly designed by the festival’s creative team to maximise their experience and learning.
• Performance Showcase (July 19): A highlight of the festival, this showcase will feature works by Youth Dance Australia companies alongside a specially created piece for independent participants.
• Exceptional Teaching Artists: An incredible lineup of mentors and facilitators from diverse dance backgrounds will guide and inspire attendees.
• Professional Development: Both streams offer participants a dedicated chance to upskill, build invaluable industry networks, and engage in high-level workshops, ensuring continued growth and innovation within the dance sector.

Designed to inspire new ideas and future directions in dance, AYDF 2025 actively supports continued growth and innovation within the sector. Find out more.