National Youth Dance Wales Heads to Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August

We are thrilled to announce that National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) will be performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer, joining forces with the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland (NYDCS) for a bold double bill of contemporary dance. 

Celtic Collective, presented by YDance and National Youth Arts Wales, runs at Assembly @ Dance Base from 7–16 August 2026, with daily performances at 4:05pm.

Having celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2025, performing at the world's largest arts festival is a remarkable milestone for NYDW, taking the creative energy of some of Wales' most promising young dancers to an international audience. 

NYDW will perform Momentum – Undone, by the Choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis drawing on a powerful collection of music including pieces by James Blake, Jacob Collier, Tchaikovsky, and Ólafur Arnalds. The piece is a reminder that the journey is never truly finished, asking "Once we find true direction, what happens next?" 

Jamie Jenkins, Head of Dance at National Youth Arts Wales, said: "Momentum – Undone is a powerful reflection on resilience, transformation, and the constant motion of becoming. National Youth Dance Wales continues to create space for young artists to explore ambitious ideas with honesty, courage, and extraordinary energy." 

"As a young dancer from Wales, being given the opportunity to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe is an incredible honour. It's a chance to share my passion on stage, learn from so many talented performers, and represent Wales with pride. I'm excited to embrace every moment of this amazing experience" - NYDW Dancer 

Sharing the stage, NYDCS will perform Afterglow, choreographed by Tess Letham - a work that moves through searching, faltering, and ultimately surrendering to collective joy. Together, the two pieces celebrate the very best of what the next generation of dancers from both Wales and Scotland have to offer. 

YDance Director, Anna Kendrick, says: "YDance are thrilled to be presenting Celtic collective at the 2026 Fringe. This collaboration between National Youth Dance Company of Scotland and the National Youth Dance Company of Wales celebrates the blending of two distinct cultural influences, and the creation of a powerful, cutting-edge double bill. I'm so excited to see these young performers come together to push themselves, share techniques, develop their artistry - and to inspire the next generation of contemporary dancers."

We hope you'll join us in Edinburgh this August and experience first-hand the passion, precision and ambition of Wales' exciting young dancers. 

Tickets start from £14.25 and the 60-minute show is recommended for ages 12 and over.

Tickets are available via the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.