he coming months have much to please balletomanes and modern dance devotees alike. For the ballet-minded, this is the summer of the Bolshoi. On July 18 Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet will open its American tour at the Metropolitan Opera House, a venue in which the company has not performed since 1987.

The Russians will present four works, two of which have never been seen before in North America. Shostakovich’s “The Bright Stream” (July 25-27) is a 1936 comic ballet, set on a Soviet farm. Suppressed by authorities, it was deemed an inaccurate portrayal of life under socialism. “The Pharaoh’s Daughter” (July 28-30) is a lush, romantic ballet created by Marius Petipa in 1862 – with music by Cesare Pugni. Also on tap are two more familiar ballets: “Don Quixote” (July 19-21), which had its world premiere at the Bolshoi in 1869, and “Spartacus” (July 22 & 23).

For modernists, on the other hand, this is the summer of Merce Cunningham’s “Ocean.” This seminal work – inspired by the writings of James Joyce – was the final collaboration between Mr. Cunningham and musician John Cage, who died before the piece was completed. The music for the work includes 112 musicians without a conductor. The electronic score, by David Taylor, uses sounds of the sea. Onstage at the Rose Theater at the Time Warner Center from July 12 to July 16, “Ocean” is performed in the round, with musicians surrounding the audience.

This work will be the kickoff to the Lincoln Center Festival, an annual performing arts event that brings adventurous dance and music to the stage. Happily, the dance offerings in this year’s festival include two new works by the incomparable choreographer Shen Wei, “Near the Terrace Part I” and “New Work” (July 19, 23 & 24). With his rich combination of dance, visual art, and original movement, Mr. Shen has proved to be one the most reliably innovative modern artists today.

Choreographer Mugiyono Kasido will enjoy his New York debut with a two-piece program of solo work (July 18-21). On the bill are “Kabar Kabur” (“Rumors”), performed on a stage the size of a table, and “Bagaspati” (“From the Sun’s Soul”), based on traditional mask dances.

Also in the festival will be the American premiere of the Random Dance company’s “AtaXia,” named for a rare neurological disorder (July 21 & 23). In this work, choreographer Wayne McGregor, who spent six months as a research fellow in the neuroscience department of Cambridge University, investigates the connection between the mind and body.

From the early summer though the middle of July, there are plenty of opportunities to catch full-length narrative ballets, in addition to the Bolshoi’s offerings. From May 24 to 29, choreographer Boris Eifman will present his dance version of Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina” at the New York City Center. Uptown at the New York State Theater, New York City Ballet presents it annual week of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from June 21 to June 26. American Ballet Theatre, at the Met until July 16, is presenting six full-length classical ballets this season: “Don Quixote,” “Sylvia,” “Raymonda,” “Le Corsaire,” “Swan Lake,” and “Giselle.”

At the Joyce Theater, the summer presents even more options. The season kicks off with David Dorfman Dance (May 31-June 5), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The program will include two world premieres: “Older Testaments” shows in movement what the Arab and Jewish cultures have in common; “Approaching Some Calm” is a duet co-created by Mr. Dorfman and his wife, Lisa Race. The program also includes “Lightbulb Theory,” a wacky piece that poses questions about death.

The lineup moves on to Sean Curran Company (June 7-12), the Pascal Rioult Dance Theater (June 14-19), and Urban Bush Women (June 21-26). Performances for this year’s New York City Tap Festival – “Tap City” – will be held at the Joyce (June 28-July 3). The festival includes performances from young tappers, divas, all-stars, and international names.

Finally comes the contemporary troupe Ballet NY (July 5-9), followed by four weeks of Pilobolus (July 11-August 6). During the month that this supremely creative group is onstage, it will offer up three different programs each week. The first, titled “Aquatic,” focuses on partnering and features a new work set deep in the ocean. The second, “Megawatt,” will feature the company’s first evening-length work. Using music by Primus, Radiohead, and more, the work combines comedy and beauty. The third program, “Suspended,” includes six works that hang dancers from various ropes, hopes, and fabrics.

The hot months at the Joyce conclude with some cool repertory danced by the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (August 8-20). Lar Lubovitch’s “Love Stories” and Nacho Duato’s “Gnawa” make up program A, which will alternate with program B: Ohad Naharin’s “Tabula Rasa” and Christopher Bruce’s “Rooster.”

While all these talented artists have much to recommend them, there’s always that one factor that makes a steamy summer evening spent indoors extra pleasant: air-conditioning.