Dancin' Oxford Festival

Dancin' Oxford is built around three key events during each year:

1. A Spring Dance Festival (February / March) consisting of 10 days of performances, participatory workshops, talks and digital installation and film
2. An early Summer Outdoor free public performance programme, accompanied by workshops and activities in the community
3. An Autumn Family-focussed Dance Festival (October) - linking into the National Family Arts Festival

Background

Dancin' Oxford, as it celebrates sixteen years, has grown beyond all recognition from a month long festival to a year round programme of dance performances, dance on film screening, participatory workshops, talks and digital installation. Diversity is one of the strength of Dancin’ Oxford, priding itself on ensuring that there is something for everyone, as well as its openness to not be restricted to previous definition of what dance is and to blur the boundaries between audience (sitting and watching) and participating (joining in):

Dancin' Oxford has been awarded a 2-year grant from Arts Council England, which means we will continue to present exciting summer free outdoor events and an Autumn Family Dance festival in October, alongside the vibrant Spring Festivals.

How it is organised 

This annual city-wide celebration of dance is co-ordinated by us and supported with funding from Arts Council England. The festival provides opportunity for participants to actively engage in high quality dance, through an exciting programme of participatory activity and a performance programme.

It also significantly raises the profile and accessibility of dance, further establishing Oxford as a recognized hub for vibrant dance activity, involving a successful and well co-ordinated partnership working between key organisations in the city.

Dancin' Oxford celebrates 20 years in 2026 with a 20-day Spring Dance Festival 

“Life is short and there will always be dirty dishes, so let’s dance.” James Howe

27 February to 18 March 2026

Dancin’ Oxford is delighted to announce that we'll be back with a fantastic line-up of high quality dance events to launch our 20th Anniversary year this Spring!

We'll be celebrating with an exciting diverse programme including welcoming back some festival favourite dance companies from across the last 20 years, opportunity to 'have-a-go' with a series of low-cost dance taster sessions across a range of styles, plus spotlighting some of our dance partners from across the city who will be opening their doors to the general public for a one-off chance to get involved and see what they offer (all for free).

We'll be launching the festival with a wonderful, action-packed dance extravaganza at Westgate Oxford - a free event showcasing the best of dance from across our city and beyond!

The Spring Dance Festival is a wonderful opportunity for families and people of all ages to come together and experience high quality dance at locations right across the city.

Whether you like to join in or be in the audience and watch, we invite you to be part of this joyous anniversary celebration, specially curated for our Oxfordshire community.  

For full festival details, and all upcoming events, visit the Dancin' Oxford website.

Also, check out our wonderful Family Dance Short Film, Global Dance & Urban Sports Film 'My City, My Home', Spring Dance Festival 2023 Launch event video, our Global Dance Stage film from Spring 2023 plus lots of other fantastic short films. All films can be seen on the Dancin' Oxford YouTube channel.

Keeping in touch 

Why not register for an email update or join us on Facebook and Twitter to make sure you really do not miss our news? We always welcome your thoughts / comments about the Dancin' Oxford festival so why not leave us your comments on Dancin' Oxford Facebook page or Dancin' Oxford X page.