Social dance has been woven into the festival since the very beginning in 1955
… And 2026 brings another glorious week of dancing by the sea! Across five town centre venues, more than 75 dances and workshops await – so pack your dancing shoes for a step-filled summer week.
New to social dance? Many dances are friendly, welcoming, and guided by expert callers – just turn up and join in. Check out our expansive workshop programme during the day, whether you’re completely new or am experienced dancer, there’s something here for you.
What to expect… From high-energy contra and ceilidh to elegant Playford, European balfolk and Scandinavian styles, the programme offers a wide range of ways to dance across the week.
THE 2026 PROGRAMME INCLUDES…
Louise Siddons, Sam Tetley-Smith, Charlotte Rich-Griffin, Mark Elvins, Daisy Black, and Geoff Cubitt will bring their expert calling to the contra dances, with high-energy music from the Linda Game Band, Contrary Faeries, Stomping Ground, WillPower, and Box of Frogs.
Kerry Fletcher will once again host a variety of Euro dances, with Oscina, Team Euro, and Lewis Wood & Helen Gentile providing the perfect musical backdrop for these sociable and engaging dances. Scandi dancing is back with music from Nicky McConkey & Chris Dyer.
Irish Set Dancing returns with Kevin & Carol Monaghan delivering high-energy workshops and social sets.
English Country Dance will be led by renowned callers Andrew Swaine, Louise Siddons with music from Mollie Koenigsberger & Dave Yeomans, Double Dichotomy, and an exciting project from Paul Hutchinson, the Pagoda Project. Charlie Turner, and Mark Elvins will be calling and teaching a mixture of ECD and contra.
Want to do some truly historic dancing? Tim Walker will lead Early Dance workshops, with music from Terry Mann & James Larcombe and their workshop musicians. Early, Regency, Playford
Dance master Ann Hinchcliffe will guide dancers through Regency-era style country dances loved by Austen, including Cotillion, Quadrilles and Minuets. Andrew Swaine will be leading us through Playford dances in all their varieties.
Evening dances feature Playford, European bals and Scandi dancing, Irish Set dance ceili, English, and mixed evening dances. The Playford Party will feature music from Oakstone Trio, whilst the Step Ceilidh, now a firm fixture in the evening dance programme, will be hosted by Jen Cox with Kerry Fletcher, Amy Gill and Lewis Wood.
The calling and teaching styles will be detailed in the main programme, available in July.
So much choice, only one week to fit it all in!
TICKETS
All dances & workshops are included in All-in-One and Season Tickets – on sale now. Individual event tickets may be available on the door (space permitting): £17 (£10 for under 25s). Many people mix it up with dances across the week alongside concerts and daytime events.
CALLER STYLE
A variety of teaching and calling styles are used at dances and dance workshops. These will be listed in the Main Programme which is out in July.
CALLER LISTINGS KEY
A variety of teaching and calling styles are used at dances and dance workshops. The calling/teaching style of an event is indicated in the event descriptions using a code: (P), (G) or (A):
(P) indicates that an event will be called without using role terms, emphasizing positional patterns, flow, and relationships between dancers (e.g. neighbour, opposite, people facing the windows).
(G) indicates that an event will be called using gendered role terms, in addition to positional descriptors.
(A) indicates that an event will be called using alternative ungendered role terms (e.g. lead/follow or larks/robins), in addition to positional descriptors.
discover more
From American to Bal, Contra to Playford, Regency, English, Irish & more, there are a wide range of dance workshops each day, catering for a wide range of experience and ability. Workshops are open to Season, All-in-One or Workshop Ticket holders, or tickets can be bought on the door, space permitting.
You don’t need to bring a partner to any of the dance workshops.
like dance?
Check out What’s On for ceilidhs, display dance, LNEs, and even more dance workshops.