The ALIF-SL 2026 festival is set to showcase more than 30 international artists in Colombo, featuring the renowned Tropical Gem, the top salsa team in the world from Italy. This event, marking the fourth installment of Sri Lanka’s inaugural international Afro-Latin dance festival, will take place from September 25 to 27, 2026, at the Galle Face Hotel.

ALIF-SL is expected to attract between 175 to 200 participants from over 20 countries, reinforcing its reputation as a premier venue for Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba in the region. The event will also include the ALIF Cup Sri Lanka Open, a competitive dance contest judged by an international panel, offering local dancers a unique chance to engage with world-class talent.

Established in 2023 by JD Ruban, a celebrated Salsa and Bachata artist and the mind behind Claves by Ruban, Sri Lanka’s first internationally recognized Salsa dance school, ALIF-SL has progressively positioned Sri Lanka on the global Afro-Latin dance scene.

“Each year, ALIF bridges Sri Lanka with the global dance community. With our impressive lineup of artists and the ALIF Cup competition, we are not merely hosting an event; we are establishing Sri Lanka as a premier destination for dance,” stated JD Ruban, the Founder and Director of ALIF-SL.

In addition to its focus on dance, ALIF-SL plays a vital role in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka, attracting dancers, judges, and enthusiasts from around the world to Colombo. The organizers aim to expand the festival’s reach, introduce new competition categories, and feature even larger acts in future events, further solidifying the capital’s status as a growing hub for social dance.