What a feast of dance is in store for you as Dancin’ Oxford prepares to kick off its 20th anniversary with an incredible, inclusive line-up, appealing to all.
Bringing together an ambitious mix of professional performances, new commissions, community showcases and participatory events, across Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Bicester, you can enjoy everything from contemporary dance and hip hop theatre to South Asian classical forms, ballet and large-scale public performances.
‘t ‘A CELEBRATION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY BREADTH OF DANCE TALENT’
Celebrating dance in all its diversity on stage, in public spaces and within communities, the Spring Dance Festival 2026 runs from Feb 27 – March 18, and here’s what’s in store.
Festival highlights include:
- UK-leading dance companies: Performances by some of the UK’s most acclaimed contemporary dance companies, including Company Chameleon, James Wilton Dance, Lost Dog, Richard Chappell Dance and Coalesce Dance Theatre, presenting work that spans powerful contemporary dance, dance-theatre, family productions and live music collaborations.
- The Global Dance Stage: A vibrant, large-scale public launch event at Westgate Oxford, showcasing short performances and participatory sessions from professional artists, youth companies and community dance groups, celebrating global dance styles and Oxfordshire’s diverse dance communities.
- Made in Oxford: A flagship showcase of newly commissioned work by Oxfordshire-based artists, presented by Dancin’ Oxford and Pegasus Theatre. The programme features original pieces by Emma-Jane Greig, Anuradha Chaturvedi and Imogen Hunt, highlighting hip hop theatre, neo-classical Kathak and participatory dance-theatre.
- Free Spotlight Dance Taster Sessions in community spaces across Oxfordshire led by friendly local dance artists and open to absolutely everyone — no experience, confidence or special kit required.
- If you’ve ever been curious about dance, this is your invitation.
- Festival Closing Party: The festival concludes with a celebratory finale party at the Old Fire Station, bringing audiences, artists and communities together to mark 20 years of Dancin’ Oxford with music, dancing and shared celebration.
But let’s break it down. The Global Dance Stage Launch Event at Leiden Square, Westgate on Sunday Feb 28 is free and runs from noon- 5pm, bringing together dancers of all ages and styles — from local schools and community groups to professional companies in this afternoon of continuous performance.
Expect contemporary, hip hop, salsa, kathak, folk dance, line dancing, Zumba, burlesque, acrobatic dance and more. Whether you stay for ten minutes or the whole afternoon, this is a chance to experience the incredible breadth of dance happening across Oxfordshire and beyond.
The captivating Richard Chappell Dance returns to Oxford Playhouse to celebrate 20 years of Dancin’ Oxford on Friday March 13, with three compelling dance works in mixed bill, BLOOM – a bold reflection on the world we live in today.
Challacombe Chronicled, choreographed by Richard Chappell, celebrates the rich history and landscapes of Dartmoor, blending dance, live music, and spoken word. Ekledio’s Splice – a striking duet by Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser, known for their work in contemporary dance and underground club scenes. The Skeleton is White by Divija Melally is shaped by her background in contemporary dance and South Asian classical dance. Book here: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/richard-chappell-dance-bloom
Coalesce Dance Theatre presents Mika and the Polar Bear on March 14 at North Wall, a visually imaginative dance-theatre adventure for ages 4–11, combining contemporary dance, puppetry, digital animation and original music to tell a hopeful story of resilience, friendship and connection in a changing natural world. Book here https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/mika-and-the-polar-bear/
Company Chameleon is a Manchester-based contemporary dance company led by Kevin Edward Turner MBE, renowned for physically powerful, socially engaged work exploring human connection, displacement and resilience. Coming to Pegasus Theatre on March 6. Book here https://pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873681779
James Wilton Dance present BACH Reimagined at North Wall on March 13, a collaboration with Canadian cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne that fuses athletic contemporary dance with live heavy-metal cello, exploring Bach’s music alongside the scientific ideas of Sir Isaac Newton. Book here https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/bach-reimagined/
Lost Dog bring their critically acclaimed Juliet & Romeo to The Mill in Banbury on March 11, a witty and poignant dance-theatre reimagining of Shakespeare’s lovers as forty-somethings confronting mid-life, memory and modern relationships, directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke. Book here: https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/juliet-romeo/
Made in Oxford Dance Showcase, presented by Dancin’ Oxford and Pegasus Theatre, features new commissions by Emma-Jane Greig, Anuradha Chaturvedi and Imogen Hunt, showcasing hip hop theatre, neo-classical Kathak and participatory dance-theatre. At Pegasus Theatre on Feb 27. Book here https://pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873680157
One of the loveliest parts of the Dancin’ Oxford Spring Dance Festival is the chance to simply have a go, so alongside the festival’s performances, Dancin Oxford is hosting a series of free SPOTLIGHT DANCE TASTER SESSIONS in community spaces across Oxfordshire, from Bicester to Barton, OFS to Witney and Kennington, all led by friendly local dance artists and open to absolutely everyone — no experience, confidence or special kit required.
They’re short, relaxed dance sessions featuring everything from Irish dancing to family fun, designed to be welcoming and easy to join. Think friendly faces, gentle encouragement and the freedom to move in your own way. You don’t need to know any steps. You don’t need to be “good at dancing”. You can wear whatever you’re comfortable in, just come along with friends or family, or arrive on your own and see how it feels. Pick one here and book in https://www.dancinoxford.co.uk/whats-on/
Claire Thompson, Director of Dancin’ Oxford, says: “As we celebrate 20 years of Dancin’ Oxford, this Spring Dance Festival feels particularly special. The programme reflects everything we stand for — artistic excellence, community connection and creating opportunities for people to experience dance in many different ways.
“From world-class companies to emerging and local artists, this year’s festival is a celebration of the extraordinary breadth of dance talent across Oxfordshire and beyond.”
Dancin Oxford’s Spring Dance Festival 2026 runs from Feb 27 – March 18. Go to https://www.dancinoxford.co.uk/whats-on/
