The second weekend of the 39th ULICA International Street Theatre Festival takes place in Kraków from 10 to 12 July 2026, bringing free performances from international and Polish companies to the city’s public spaces.
The streets of Kraków are once again alive with theatre as the 39th ULICA International Street Theatre Festival continues this weekend, with performances taking place from 10 to 12 July 2026 across some of the city’s best-known public spaces.
Following a successful opening weekend, audiences can still enjoy three days of free outdoor performances presented by leading companies from Poland and around the world. Organised by Teatr KTO, the festival remains one of the largest and most respected street theatre events in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing world-class performances directly into the heart of the city.
Presented under the theme “La Strada”, this year’s festival celebrates the traditions of travelling performers, circus arts and physical theatre while exploring the idea of the road as a place of encounter, creativity and shared human experience.
A festival that transforms the city
Each summer, ULICA turns Kraków into a living theatre where public squares, streets and everyday spaces become performance venues.
Rather than asking audiences to visit a theatre, the festival brings theatre directly to residents and visitors. There are no tickets to buy and no theatre walls separating performers from the public. Anyone passing through the city can stop, watch and become part of the experience.
Since its launch almost forty years ago, the festival has attracted nearly 200 artists annually and tens of thousands of spectators, establishing itself as one of Kraków’s flagship cultural events and an important fixture on the European street theatre calendar.
“La Strada” explores movement, freedom and connection
The theme for 2026, “La Strada”, reflects both the history and the continuing evolution of street theatre.
Inspired by circus traditions and the lives of travelling performers, the programme embraces theatre that exists in motion and thrives through direct interaction with audiences. It is also a tribute to Federico Fellini’s iconic film La Strada, where the journey of wandering entertainers becomes a story about humanity, loneliness, freedom and resilience.
Throughout this year’s programme, audiences will encounter productions that combine circus techniques, dance, physical theatre, visual storytelling and performance art, demonstrating how outdoor theatre continues to evolve while remaining accessible to everyone.
International artists headline the 2026 programme
This year’s festival brings together acclaimed companies representing a wide range of contemporary outdoor performance styles.
International highlights include:
- Motionhouse (United Kingdom) presenting Block
- Compagnie Accrorap / Kader Attou (France) with Prélude
- Circumstances (Belgium) performing Beyond
- Guillem Albà (Catalonia, Spain) with Ma Solitud
- Compagnie Tac O Tac (France) presenting Elefantaisie
The programme also features performances from antagon theaterAKTion, Indonesia Performance Syndicate, Imre Bernath, Von B bis Z, TNT, Teatro SÓ and Circ Pistolet, creating a diverse programme that spans physical theatre, circus, dance, acrobatics and visual performance.
Polish companies take centre stage
Alongside its international guests, ULICA continues to showcase the strength of Poland’s outdoor theatre scene.
Festival host Teatr KTO will present three productions: Arcadia, Peregrinus and Bal.
The wider programme also includes performances by:
- Teatr Plastyczny Makata
- Teatr MIGRO
- Krakowski Teatr Tańca
- Teatr Mimo
- Teatr Niewielki
- Teatr NEMNO
- Muzikanty
- Teatr Scena 96
- Teatr Szczęście
Together, these productions demonstrate the richness and diversity of Polish contemporary outdoor performance while complementing the festival’s international programme.
Performances across Kraków
This year’s performances will be staged across many of Kraków’s best-known public spaces.
Venues include:
- Rynek Główny
- Mały Rynek
- Rynek Podgórski
- Outside Galeria Krakowska
- Dworek Białoprądnicki
- Muzeum Inżynierii i Techniki
By using familiar public spaces, ULICA allows audiences to experience theatre in unexpected settings where art becomes part of everyday city life.
Whether planned or discovered by chance, each performance offers a different perspective on Kraków’s streets and public squares.
Beyond the city
Although Kraków remains at the heart of the festival, ULICA continues to expand its reach across Poland.
Selected productions will also be presented in:
- Ełk
- Konin
- Limanowa
- Niepołomice
- Stalowa Wola
- Tarnów
This longstanding tradition allows more communities to experience internationally recognised outdoor theatre while strengthening cultural connections between cities and regions.
Why it matters
For nearly four decades, ULICA has shown that outstanding theatre can thrive outside traditional venues. By bringing performances into streets and public squares, the festival creates unexpected cultural encounters for residents and visitors alike, regardless of age or previous theatre experience.
With its blend of internationally acclaimed companies, leading Polish performers and free admission, the festival remains one of the highlights of Kraków’s summer cultural calendar. The final weekend, from 10 to 12 July, offers audiences one last opportunity to experience the 2026 edition before the festival concludes and selected productions continue their tour to other Polish cities.
Event Information
Event: 39th ULICA International Street Theatre Festival
Remaining Dates: 10 to 12 July 2026
Locations:
- Rynek Główny
- Mały Rynek
- Rynek Podgórski
- Outside Galeria Krakowska
- Dworek Białoprądnicki
- Muzeum Inżynierii i Techniki
Admission: Free
Organiser: Teatr KTO
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