27th June 2026
The best FREE dance festival in the UK
Line-Up for 2026
West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing (WCS) is taking off and we are bringing it to Bakewell! The newly formed group in Sheffield are combining with West Card Events and showing us what a smooth, stylish partner dance this is, danced to a wide variety of music. The Sheffield group have been running regular workshops, but due to its popularity, are moving on to run weekly classes and social events. This enthusiastic, friendly group welcome new members and previous experience is not necessary. To get you started see our workshop page for details of the WCS workshop, run by West Card Events.
Wirksworth Clog Dancers
Toby Bennett will be bringing his clog dancers from Wirksworth and demonstrating some wonderful English Clog dance styles. Toby is a very experienced teacher and has taught widely in the UK and abroad. His now teaches regularly in Wirksworth and all levels are welcome. Clogs are provided to get you going and classes are accompanied by live music.
Duke’s Dandy Step Clog
Duke’s Dandy Step Clog team comprises five cloggers and 3 musicians who accompany the dancers on fiddle and piano accordion. The team was formed in 1981 and still holds regular practices in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Sporting purple skirts, black blouses and matching clogs they perform steps from around the UK, including Lancashire and Northumberland & Durham, as well as performing their own choreography. They will also be running a clog dance workshop at the Town Hall. For Details see Workshops page.
Well Heeled Appalachian Dancers
Our hosts for the day, Well Heeled will perform the energetic Appalachian style, which is based on traditional British step dancing with influences from Negro and Cherokee Indian dances.
This Bakewell group have been running for 23 years and meet weekly at the Working Men's Club.
www.facebook.com/Well-Heeled 01629 815469
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Growing Old (Dis)Gracefully
Growing Old (Dis)Gracefully are a dance company based in Liverpool, made up of adults aged between 45 and 80. Some have been involved in dance for longer than they care to remember, some have never danced. They love dancing and share a passion for the camaraderie that comes from developing and performing their dances. (Be prepared for anything)
Feel it and Dance
Feel it and Dance will be bringing another treat to the streets of Bakewell, with a specially choreographed show dance. Jose Oliva will be bringing 2 lively and colourful dancers from the musical, Hairspray. For 10 years now Jose and his dancers have delighted audiences with their lively style and slick performances. Join them on the dance floor when Jose will finish with some fun and easy to pick up Zumba routines. Jose runs regular Zumba, salsa and bachata classes in Wirksworth, Matlock and Darley Dale.
M & J Dance Centre
Ballroom and Latin
Michael Hough brings his dancers together from Bakewell and all over the High Peak to show us how to rumba, samba, cha cha and a little bit of quick step. They love dancing for us at Bakewell, so why not join in, and you too, could be on ‘ Strictly Come Dancing’. Weekly classes held in Bakewell, and other parts of the High Peak.
01298 23171
Claire Dobinson
School of Dance
The Claire Dobinson School of Dancing offers NATD classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Gymnastic Dance, Musical Theatre and Street. Classes are available from 2 and a half years through to adult including professional and vocational training. CDMT Recognised School with outstanding exam and audition success. All classes are held in our beautiful converted Chapel in Darley Dale, DE4 2HX
The Rueda Academy
The effervescent, Eṣref Ulaṣ will be calling and leading Rueda De Casino (Salsa in a circle) this year, always a popular one to join in with. Eşref is a very well-known and sought after teacher, DJ (a.k.a DJ Muzu) and UK Event Promoter, and is renowned for his legendry and unbeatable energy! He welcomes other Rueda De Casino Groups and invites everyone to have a go! Expect a lot of fun and laughter!! Eṣref teaches Rueda in Sheffield and Wakefield.
Belrobics Jennie
Belrobics combines the fitness moves of belly dance with inspiring choreography and uplifting music. Suitable for all fitness levels. Come and join the shimmy! Jennie runs classes in Balborough and Dronfield, and comes with years of experience in many different styles of dance.
Galophop
We are excited to welcome back a group of Latvian dancers who delighted our audiences back in in 2016. They are based in Derby and sponsored by the Change Group.
Contact: egija.sticinska@gmail.com
Lizzie Dripping (Traditional)
This women’s dance team from Sheffield dances in the North West style including step dances, tap routines, team dances and traditional dances from Scotland, the Isle of Man and Wales.They dance either in soft shoes or character tap shoes. Their dances are complemented by unusual and interesting music performed by a small core of dedicated and experienced musicians.
Winster Morris
Winster Morris is one of the oldest Morris dance teams in the UK. The centrepiece of their dance year being Wakes Day in Winster, when they dance all round the village throughout the day. They welcome both men and women and dance as a mixed team.
On Broadway Dance Fitness
This dance style is taken straight from the Broadway shows and inspired by popular musicals like ‘Mamma Mia’, Chorus Line and Chicago. See them strut their stuff with their feather boas, canes and hats! This is pure fun and high energy.
On Broadway® Dance Fitness
www.onbroadwaydancefitness.com
Katy Robinson – 07803906114
Hype Dance Company
Sadly Hype have had to cancel.
See programme for changes.
Mortimer's Morris
Mortimer’s Morris are a women’s dance team based in Nottingham. We perform Morris dances from the English North West tradition with enthusiasm and style. www.mortimers-morris.org.uk
Dance Mania
Dance Mania are a dance school based in Sutton-in-Ashfield, who offer a wide range of styles, including, Ballet,Tap,
Rock n Roll, Acro, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Street, Freestyle Disco, Contemporary and Burlesque. This will be their second time to Bakewell, following a very popular and crowd drawing performance last year.'
facebook.com/DancemaniaDanceschool
Tap Step-In with Sophie
Tap Step-In with Sophie. Sophie and her tap dancers will be making their first appearance at the Day of Dance, having set up a new adult tap dance class in Matlock at the beautiful Flow Motion.Life Studio. Sophie is a registered dance movement psychotherapist, and has experience in a wide range of dance styles, but tap dance is her first love. We look forward to welcoming Sophie and her dancers.
Bella's Belly Dance Group
Bella's Belly dancers are a fun loving group, dancing to a wide range of music, making their dances a fusion of styles. They use a variety of dramatic and vibrant props that help their performance be both colourful and enchanting. They look forward to the audience participation and hope that you will join in with the fun. This Matlock based group meet at the Edgefold Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
07813 509415
Rock and Roll with Hopfrogs
Turn the clock back to those rock and roll years and let Heather Clements pass on her skills and enthusiasm for a lively session. It will be hard not to join her with those old favourites we all know and love.
Timberline Steve
Line Dancing is not just to Country music! Modern line dancing uses any dance music with lots of pop, Latin and Irish styles. Watch Timberline Steve and Jeanette with their local line dancers to find out, and learn an easy dance with them!
Weekly classes held in Matlock.
01629 636386
Romana Jilo
Romano Jilo is a Romani dance group based in Sheffield. The dance group performers are children and young people from the local Czech and Slovak Roma communities. The dance group is open to all communities and aims to promote community cohesion. bsage@btinternet.com
Peak Performance Theatre School
Peak Performance School of Dance, based in Bakewell, was founded 24 years ago and is led by principal Jill Ferguson. A wide range of dance styles are taught including drama. The dancers will be performing a contemporary piece.
Horo Sheffield
Lead by Greg Boyd, this Sheffield based group perform dances from all over the world, but specializing in Eastern European styles, and dancing without partners. Their beautiful authentic costumes and evocative music make for an eye catching performance.
Email gregboyd99@aol.com
Phone number 07810181273
Indian Beats
Classical and Indian Folk
This multi-generational group of dancers, based in Macclesfield and London have performed at many festivals in the UK and India.Their dancing style is a mix of Indian classical dance forms (Bharatnatyam and Kathak) and Bollywood moves, with a flavour of Indian folk dance thrown in, all seamlessly integrated into harmony. Their performances always delight audiences with the sheer variety of dances and the obvious passion they bring to the dance floor.
07415 689395
Black Pig Border Morris
Known and loved by Bakewell, this will be Black Pig’s 17th time to the Day of Dance.Named after the ship of the infamous pirated Captain Pugwash.Black Pig meets in Eastwood, on the Nottingham, Derbyshire border. Make sure you get there early – they always attract a big crowd!
Flamenco in Sheffield
Barbara Thornes, originally from Madrid is a highly experienced dance teacher and choreographer. Along with her students, she will be bringing her passion for this dance form to Bakewell for the first time. Why not join Barbara and pick up some simple Flamenco moves. She has a number of classes in Sheffield, Leeds and online classes.
Website: www.flamencoinsheffield.com
Email: flamenco.sheffield@yahoo.com
Argentinian Tango with
Tango in the Peaks
Lucas and Melanie are two tango dancers who met on the dance floor in New Zealand, but don’t worry they have their roots in Argentina, where Lucas was born and Melanie has spent much time. They will be bringing their passion for this dance to Bakewell and showing us what a beautiful, smooth, raw and emotional dance it is. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the real traditional Argentinian Tango in the flesh. A treat, not to be missed.They will also be running a workshop – yet another treat!
Zumba Gold with All in Dance
Anna started her Zumba classes in lock down and on zoom – not the best time to start a new business. But despite all the challenges that faced her she now has a great following and runs regular Zumba sessions in Matlock and Darley Dale. Come and give it a go; you might be surprised how much fun it is.
Email: annajanegreene@googlemail.com
Website: https://allindance.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WensleyDance
Derby Tappers
Derby Tappers are an adult tap dancing group who meet weekly in the Allestree area of Derby. Classes cater for beginners to more advanced levels. For more information contact Pauline Reader: O7561446334
Soso-Xa Choir
Sosa-Xa Choir (Sounds of Southern Africa) is a friendly inter-cultural community choir open to all. United by our love of Southern African music we perform songs together with dance moves Mbube style. We are based in central Sheffield.
Email Paul Taylor: ptpstaylor45@gmail.com and phone number 07810181273.