The Dark: PS21’s fearless winter festival of live performance radiating across Columbia County
The Dark is a new annual festival from PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance that celebrates and elevates the depths of winter. Taking place February 16–22, 2026, the festival will unfold at PS21 and across Columbia County—in theatres, restaurants, libraries, saunas, and outdoor public spaces. Featuring more than 60 international artists and over 80 performances, The Dark offers a packed week of world-class contemporary performance, installation, music, dance, and theater—all exploring winter as a time of community and solitude, fire and ice cold, darkness and light. A major new attraction for the region, the festival positions Columbia County as a year-round cultural destination—not just a summer one.
It is a light in the dark—and The Dark is the light.
The full festival lineup drops in early January – this is just the beginning – and with The Dark Festival Pass, you won’t have to wait. Secure your pass now and enjoy guaranteed access to every festival program. Our ticketing concierge will reach out in the first week of January to reserve your spots before tickets open to the public.
Purchasing tickets individually would total $875, but The Dark Festival Pass saves you 60%.
Early Bird Festival Pass: $350 until January 10
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Andrew Schneider • NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) • PS21 Black Box Theater • Chatham, NY
Okwui Okpokwasili & Peter Born: sweat variant • my tongue is a blade • US premiere • Hudson Hall • Hudson, NY
Tim Etchells/Bert & Nasi • L’Addition • US premiere • Time & Space Limited • Hudson, NY
Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer • ContreJour • Basilica Hudson • Hudson, NY
Trisha Brown Dance Company • In Plain Site • Masonic Hall • Chatham, NY
MORE TO COME …
WHERE ITS HAPPENING
PS21 : Center for Contemporary Performance
Pavillion • Pond • Tent Site • Animal Haven • Black Box Theater • Grounds
Chatham, NY
Chatham Public Library • Chatham Bookstore • Crandell Theatre • Masonic Hall • St. James Church • Stonykill Coffee & Records
Ghent, NY
Art OMI
Hudson, NY
Basilica • Creative Legion • Hudson Hall • Pocketbook • Time Space Limited
Kinderhook, NY
Kinderhook Knitting Mill
Spencertown, NY
Spencertown Academy