The Kalamata International Dance Festival runs for about 10 days every July and attracts some of the most interesting contemporary dance companies working anywhere in the world. Performances take place in the castle, in outdoor squares, and in the dedicated Dance Megaron venue on the seafront, which opened in 2009. The Megaron is a striking piece of modern architecture on the waterfront, designed specifically for dance performances and film screenings related to the festival.
Even outside festival season, the Dance Megaron hosts performances and workshops. The festival itself is genuinely worth timing a visit around — it pulls international artists that would normally only appear in Athens, London, or Paris, and the outdoor performances in the castle grounds at night are spectacular. Check the official website for dates and programmes, which are usually announced by April.