A poster for the dance show. [Photo/Hangzhou Theater]

The legendary Irish dance show Riverdance will return to Hangzhou in January 2026 with its 30th anniversary deluxe edition, Hangzhou Theater announced.

Performances are scheduled for Jan 13 and 14 at Hangzhou Theater, bringing the world-renowned production back to Chinese audiences after years of anticipation.

First staged in Dublin in 1995, Riverdance has toured 117 countries and more than 2,300 cities, drawing over 300 million spectators from around the world.

Marking its 30th year, the anniversary production features a new generation of dancers with an average age of just 23, injecting fresh energy into the iconic show.

Rooted in Irish stepdance, Riverdance blends multiple dance traditions, including flamenco, ballet, Latin and street dance, performed with trademark high-speed footwork reaching up to 35 taps per second.

The music combines traditional Celtic instruments such as bagpipes and fiddles with modern elements including electric bass and percussion, creating a dynamic cross-cultural soundscape.

A Grammy Award winner and the only dance production with a long-running Broadway residency, Riverdance has also left a deep imprint in China, having appeared on major Spring Festival Gala stages and topped national box office rankings for years.

A stage photo for a previous show. [Photo/Hangzhou Theater]