Dance Performances, Festivals & Classes in Chennai

Chennai is the world centre of Bharatanatyam, and you can see a classical dance recital here in almost any week. Kalakshetra in Thiruvanmiyur, founded in 1936, stages its Annual Art Festival each December; the 2026 festival is listed for 18–27 December. The Music Academy follows its concert season with a dance festival in early January, and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha holds the Natya Kala Conference during the season. Arangetrams, the debut recitals of young dancers, fill sabha halls on weekends through the year and are often open to the public. South of the city, Tamil Nadu Tourism's Indian Dance Festival runs at Mahabalipuram each winter. Beyond classical, studios in Adyar, Nungambakkam and Anna Nagar run salsa, bachata, hip-hop and contemporary classes and socials, and Navaratri brings garba and dandiya nights.