La Strada Graz 2026
Street art festival from 31 July to 8 August
La Strada Graz is an international festival for street art, contemporary circus, puppet theatre and performance. In 2026, it takes place from 31 July to 8 August. For nine days, squares, parks and streets in Graz and the surrounding region become open-air stages. The festival kicks off on 31 July at Oper Graz, followed by companies from France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland and Austria playing in public spaces, much of it free of charge.
The motto for 2026 is take part. More than in previous years, the festival invites visitors to actively help shape the programme: in workshops, participatory performances and shared musical moments. The artistic director is intendant Werner Schrempf.
At a glance
- What: International festival for street art, contemporary circus, puppet theatre, object theatre and performance
- When: 31 July to 8 August 2026, opening on 31 July at Oper Graz
- Where: Graz, including Hauptplatz, Freiheitsplatz, Karmeliterplatz, Augarten, MURPARK, Minoritenhof, Botanical Garden, Reininghaus, and the Graz region, including Gratkorn, Andritz and Kalsdorf
- Admission: Performances in public spaces are mostly free of charge, selected shows require tickets via oeticket
- Theme 2026: take part, active audience participation
- For families: yes, with dedicated children’s and family formats from age 4
- Organiser: La Strada Graz, intendant Werner Johannes Schrempf
La Strada invites people this year more than ever to actively take part. In workshops, residents become co-creators of the artistic process.
Opening 2026
“Möbius” by Collectif XY
La Strada 2026 opens on 31 July at Oper Graz. In Möbius, the 19-member French company Collectif XY combines acrobatics, dance and poetry to create contemporary circus. Inspired by the murmuration of starlings, the piece explores the interplay between the individual and the community on an open-air stage. The opening performance requires tickets, with further performances taking place on 1 and 2 August.
The 2026 programme
From major stage productions to quiet performances
After the opening, international companies transform squares, parks and streets into open-air stages for nine days. The large circus programme features Belgian Circus Ronaldo with Da Capo in the circus tent at Reininghaus.
In public spaces, the programme ranges from the bicycle ballet by La Bande à Tyrex and the contemporary scooter show by Le Patin Libre to the dance performance Happy Hype at Hauptplatz and the sound walk act Chiche?! by Décor Sonore through the city centre.
Family formats such as the puppet theatre Fuchs du hast die Angst gestohlen for ages 4 and up and the clown show Splinters for ages 6 and up take place during the day. In the evening, Minoritenhof becomes an open-air concert hall. The installation Signal vom Dachstein can be seen at Atelier Jungwirth.
take part
Become part of the festival
La Strada 2026 places active participation centre stage. Those who want to get involved can take part in workshops such as Graz on the Move and Care to Carry, help create a textile city portrait with Zwermers, or make music together with Compagnie du Coin at Freiheitsplatz. Registration and further information are available at lastrada.at/teilhaben-en and via Club La Strada.
Good to know
Still have questions? Here are the answers to key questions about La Strada Graz 2026.
La Strada Graz is an international festival for street art, contemporary circus, puppet theatre, object theatre and performance. For more than 25 years, it has transformed squares, parks and streets in Graz and the Erlebnisregion Graz into open-air stages during high summer.
The performances take place in public spaces across Graz, including Hauptplatz, Freiheitsplatz, Karmeliterplatz, Augarten, MURPARK, Minoritenhof and the Botanical Garden. Selected programme items also take place in the surrounding region, including Gratkorn and Kalsdorf.
Performances in public spaces are mostly free of charge. Selected stage productions and concerts require tickets and can be booked via oeticket.
Under the theme take part, La Strada 2026 offers workshops and participatory performances such as Graz on the Move, Care to Carry and Worn Out?. Registration and further information are available at lastrada.at/teilhaben-en.
During La Strada, Graz is transformed into a vibrant stage: squares become performance spaces, passers-by become spectators, and art can be encountered on every corner. The city centre pulses with creativity, encounters and wonder, creating a special atmosphere of openness, curiosity and joie de vivre. Even everyday routes become cultural journeys of discovery.
Yes. There are dedicated family formats, including the puppet theatre Fuchs du hast die Angst gestohlen for ages 4 and up and the clown show Splinters for ages 6 and up. During the day, the festival at Minoritenhof offers programme items for the youngest visitors.