Events by Winter Gardens Blackpool

The Blackpool Dance Festival, the world’s first and most prestigious ballroom dance festival, returns to the iconic Winter Gardens Blackpool for a historic milestone: its 100th Anniversary. Running from May 16 to May 29, 2026, this legendary event transforms the town into the global capital of ballroom and Latin American dance. Held within the majestic Empress Ballroom—a venue world-renowned for its sprung floor and ornate Victorian architecture—the festival attracts thousands of competitors and spectators from over 60 countries. This year’s centenary celebration is set to be the most spectacular edition to date. The festival covers a vast array of disciplines, including the British Open Championships for Professional and Amateur couples, Under 21 categories, and the electrifying Formation Team competitions. New for this century, the festival continues to highlight the British Rising Star categories, providing a platform for the next generation of world-class talent to shine. The atmosphere inside the Empress Ballroom is unparalleled; the air is thick with anticipation, the scent of tan and hairspray, and the sound of the world-class Empress Orchestra providing live musical accompaniment. Beyond the competitive floor, the 100th Anniversary will feature a special "Hall of Fame" evening on May 20, celebrating the legends who have graced the floor over the last century. For attendees, the festival is more than just a competition; it is a cultural phenomenon. The Winter Gardens complex becomes a bustling hub of dance-related commerce, from bespoke couture gown designers to specialist footwear and jewelry. Whether you are a lifelong dancer or a first-time spectator, the sheer scale of the athleticism, the glamour of the costumes, and the historical gravity of the 100th year make this an unmissable event on the 2026 British calendar. The event concludes with the crowning of the British Open Professional Champions, a title that remains the highest honor in the world of competitive dance.