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Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival in Akron, Ohio

Sponsored by the City of Akron, The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has been established to honor the legacy of the legendary founding Artistic Director of Ohio Ballet, and continues the tradition of free public performances by respected dance companies, each presenting a unique dance experience, but all sharing the common thread of Poll's commitment to the highest artistic standards.

This Festival is a tribute to Poll's legacy and a gift of the performing arts to the people of Greater Akron.

Akron Dance Festival 2026 Schedule

Continuing Akron's unique 52 year tradition of presenting free dance performances in the parks during the summer, The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has been established to honor the legacy of the legendary founding Artistic Director of Ohio Ballet. Free public performances by respected Ohio dance companies, each presenting a unique dance experience, reflect the common thread of Poll's commitment to the highest artistic standards.

Since the 2006 demise of Ohio Ballet's Summer Festival that was founded in 1974 and supported by the City of Akron since 1975, there was no ready outlet for dance in Akron. The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival presents as many as 18-20 separate dance pieces offered each summer. Attendance averages about eight thousand per season.

NEW! June 18, 2026 - PREVIEW PERFORMANCE - 6:30pm
Ohio Contemporary Ballet at Akron Art Museum (in the garden)
(1 S. High St., Akron, Ohio)
330-376-9186

• Ohio Contemporary Ballet
  July 24-25, 2026
  Forest Lodge Park
  (by the ball-field on Jefferson Ave.)
  https://ocballet.org/
• Dayton Contemporary Dance Co.
  July 31 - August 1, 2026
  Goodyear Heights Metro Park
  2077 Newton St.
  https://dcdc.org/
• Inlet Dance Theatre
  August 7-8, 2026
  Firestone Park
  (between N. and S. Firestone Blvd. – Firestone neighborhood)
  https://www.inletdance.org/

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

FREE YOGA CLASS AT EACH PARK

Presented by Jen Garlando
Saturdays at 10 am - 11 am

(bring your blanket or mat)
July 25, 2026 - Forest Lodge Park - registration
Aug. 1, 2026 - Goodyear Heights Metro Park - registration
Aug. 8, 2026 - Firestone Park - registration

DANCE STAGE TO BE SHARED WITH AKRON SYMPHONY ENSEMBLE ON SUNDAYS

The City of Akron will extend the use of its weekend dance stage to Sunday nights again this summer for a series of two free admission concerts by the Akron Symphony Ensemble, under the direction of Christopher Wilkins and Eric Benjamin. Each ensemble performance begins at 7:30pm.

July 26, 2026 - Forest Lodge Park
August 2, 2026 - Goodyear Heights MetroPark
August 9, 2026 - Firestone Park

MASTER CLASSES

Classes are held at the University of Akron Center for Dance and Theatre in Guzzetta Hall,
Albrecht Dance Studio,
139 E. Buchtel Ave.
(Park in Visitor’s deck next to building or in surface lot across the street)
Classes begin at 11 AM and each class is limited to 30 participants – high intermediate or higher level of technique. There is a $10 fee per class.
To sign up for a master class, please click on a link below to select that company master class and fill out the form. Have questions or want more information? Please contact us at Akrondancefestival@gmail.com.

July 25, 2026 - Ohio Contemporary Ballet - registration
August 1, 2026 - Dayton Contemporary Dance Co - registration
August 8, 2026 - Inlet Dance Theatre - registration