Colours of Ostrava 2026 – new stage, music, theatre and much more
An attractive line-up featuring artists such as Sarah Julia, Joshua Idehen and Elín Hall will be further enhanced by the striking industrial setting of the new Steel Town zone. The Meltingpot discussion forum, an integral part of Colours of Ostrava, is also announcing new names. During the festival, taking place from 15 to 18 July, its programme will be presented for the first time in a compact format within the Hlubina area. Four-day tickets are currently available in the ongoing pricing wave for CZK 4,490.
The festival’s theatre programme will offer a diverse showcase of contemporary humour, original theatre, podcast projects and experimental formats. Visitors can look forward to stand-up evenings, satirical shows, improvisation and unique productions blending theatre and music. Special attention is given to the programme in the main Gong hall. In addition to musical performances by Lenka Dusilová and the American ambient-country band SUSS, audiences can enjoy a curated selection of theatre productions from across the Czech Republic.
As the festival’s artistic director Filip Košťálek explains:
“The theatre programme is built on original interpretations of powerful themes, music and outstanding collaborations. The National Collection of Bad Habits by leading Czech artist Kateřina Šedá has been adapted by one of the most performed Czech authors, Tomáš Dianiška, together with the contemporary circus ensemble Losers Cirque Company and drama actors. Husa na provázku takes aim at Slovak and Czech clichés in the production Držím ti miesto, which will turn Gong into a vibrant, entertaining ‘party’. The local Petr Bezruč Theatre boldly tackles the almost untouchable topic of football fandom. The production attracted audiences in scarves and jerseys to one of the country’s best theatres – we’ll see what the festival crowd will be like. The final performance will be a theatrical tribute to Czech music legend Zuzana Navarová, brought to the stage by Klicpera Theatre together with Iva Marešová, the band Razam and the Hradec Králové Philharmonic. And Then I Fall Asleep and Wake Up is a remarkable fusion of theatre and music that simply belongs at Colours.”
This carefully curated programme offers festival-goers a unique opportunity to experience theatre from across the country. Alongside the main Gong stage, two additional venues will feature productions such as the monodrama The Dalai Lama’s Cat, the real-life inspired play Norway.today, the absurd conversational comedy Shrex: The Survival Game, and the show PiNKBUS by Slovak ensemble “žiadny iný” featuring Thalia Award laureate Martin Talaga.
Audiences can also enjoy Slam Puppetry, the deliberately unprepared yet engaging My kluci, co spolu chodíme, and the ever-popular Stand’art Cabaret by VOSTO5 Theatre. Laughter will be guaranteed by popular comedians and Slovak stand-up formats such as Bekim and Silné reči. The Czech scene will be represented by performers including Tali, Eliška Soukupová, Kateřina Beran (Pozor, humor), Nikola Džokič with his Balkan Express, and the quiz show Nesem vám noviny.
As in previous years, the festival is supported by the City of Ostrava, helping bring artists from outside the Moravian-Silesian Region while giving visitors from afar the chance to experience local culture. Mayor Jan Dohnal notes:
“Involving Ostrava’s and the region’s cultural scene in the festival programme is both natural and desirable. If we take pride in Ostrava’s reputation as a city of culture, I am pleased that we can showcase art created right here at this internationally renowned festival. Colours of Ostrava is both a stage for global stars and an arena for local talents. That is why we have long supported it as a key partner.”
This year also introduces the brand-new Steel Stage, set within the unique Steel Town zone defined by bold industrial design. Installations, sculptures, furnishings and even bar decorations will be made of steel. The zone is being created in cooperation with the Moravia Steel group, led by Třinecké železárny, and builds on the industrial character of the festival site, where production still continues nearby.
The Steel Stage will host a diverse international line-up of contemporary alternative music, including Ukrainian artist Maryna Krut, Slovak band Tolstoys, Italian musician Gaia Banfi, Amsterdam-based duo Sarah Julia, performer Joshua Idehen, Icelandic singer Elín Hall, Scottish artist Blair Davie, English musician Harry Strange, Cypriot award-winner Della, Slovak duo Malatata, and Czech artists Rozálie, Barbara Kanyzová, Paulie Garand with Štěpán Urban, and Pokáč.
The Meltingpot forum is expected to host more than 150 guests, with dozens already announced and more confirmed each week. Speakers will include leading figures from science, business, culture, media and public life, offering perspectives on topics ranging from technological innovation and geopolitics to mental health, education and social responsibility.
A new addition this year is a dedicated stage by the Czech Academy of Sciences, aiming to bring science closer to visitors through interactive experiences and discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence, the human brain, disinformation and more.
The Meltingpot programme will newly be concentrated in the Hlubina area, offering more space and comfort. International guests will include Belarusian writer and journalist Sasha Filipenko, innovation expert Frederik G. Pferdt, and cybersecurity researcher Florian Marcus, alongside Czech figures such as scientist Daniel Kortus, Korean studies expert Nina Špitálníková and psychiatrist Jiří Horáček.
The festival will once again be supported by partners including Česká spořitelna and the ČEZ Group, which will host the ČEZ Family Park and the popular “Orange Bikes” charity initiative supporting local organisations.
The music programme of the 23rd edition will feature dozens of concerts across multiple stages, combining global stars with prominent European and Asian alternative acts and Czech artists. Confirmed performers include Twenty One Pilots, Moby, TOMORA, Lorde, Teddy Swims, Skunk Anansie and Audrey Nuna.
The festival will take place in the unique industrial setting of Dolní oblast Vítkovice from 15 to 18 July. Four-day tickets in the current pricing wave (CZK 4,490) are selling fast. Two-day tickets (Wednesday–Thursday or Friday–Saturday) are currently available for CZK 3,190. VIP+ tickets and discounted FRESH tickets for young people aged 15–21 are also on sale, along with limited partner programmes offering additional discounts. Full ticket and programme details are available on the festival website.