Beginners Classes in London

New to dance? Discover beginners classes, courses and workshops in London - brought to you by our incredible community of organisers.

Start dancing in London

Everyone on a dance floor was a beginner once - including those who look like they've been doing it for years! The classes listed below are all in London and are designed for people who've never danced before. Our amazing instructors will teach your first steps - and help you find your rhythm.

Do I need to bring a partner?
No. In partnered styles, classes rotate so you'll dance with several people over the session and nobody is left out. Plenty of styles - e.g. ballet, tap, street, contemporary - are danced solo anyway. Many people arrive on their own.
I've got no rhythm! Is that a problem?
You are not alone! This is a common thing for beginners to feel and say, and our instructors hear it every week. Rhythm is a skill; it's taught slowly, practised and repeated until it becomes second nature. Our tip? Give it a few weeks before you decide.
What actually happens in a first class?
Usually a gentle warm-up, then one or two steps broken down and practised without music, then the same steps with music. An hour or so in total. You won't be asked to perform on your own, and there's no expectation you'll pick everything up first time.
Classes, workshop or course - what's the difference?
Drop-in classes tend to run weekly, and allow you to start any week. A course is a fixed block of weeks with the same group, building week-on-week. Workshops tend to be one-off, typically a few hours to explore a topic in depth. Always check the event description, as organisers have different approaches.
Why should I give dancing a go?
There are many benefits to dancing! It's great exercise, and great for your mental health. And unlike most ways of keeping active, you'll end up meeting new people - which for many dancers is the reason they keep coming back.

Today in London for Beginners

Join Will for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing.

Wed, 14 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Cherry Garden Hall
Swing

Join Oksana and Dave for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing.

Wed, 14 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
St Aloysius Hall
Swing

Learn genuine rock & roll (jive) dance moves from the '50s followed by practice time after each lesson, all accompanied by great rock 'n' roll music! 🎸 Beginners and drop-ins welcome! Come along to enjoy a fun and friendly atmosphere!

Wed, 14 Oct 19:30 BST
South London Rock
Venue 28
Rock n' Roll

Regular Beginners Classes in London

These are the regular beginners classes in London. They may be weekly or monthly, and are designed for new dancers.

Beginner Balboa class followed by practice session

Every Monday
Mon, 19 Oct 19:30 BST
Another Night
Never For Ever
Balboa

Join Anna and Ochryn for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing in Vauxhall.

Every Monday
Mon, 19 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
St Anne and All Saints Church
Swing

Join Liane and Ionut for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing in Angel.

Every Monday
Mon, 19 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Exmouth Market Centre
Swing

Join the Stompin' the Blues team every Tuesday for Blues dancing lessons.

Every Tuesday
Tue, 20 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
The Castle
Blues

Our regular weekly Balboa Bal night held in West London every Tuesday.

Every Tuesday
Tue, 20 Oct 19:30 BST
The Lindy Circle
George and Devonshire (Burlington Room)
Balboa

Weekly Beginner Tango dance classes, in Exmouth Market (between Angel & Farringdon) Learn the first basics of how we dance Argentine tango!

Every 8 weeks on Tuesday
Tue, 20 Oct 19:30 BST
Tango-Fever London
Exmouth Market
Argentine Tango

Join Will for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing.

Every Wednesday
Wed, 14 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Cherry Garden Hall
Swing

Join Oksana and Dave for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing.

Every Wednesday
Wed, 14 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
St Aloysius Hall
Swing

Learn genuine rock & roll (jive) dance moves from the '50s followed by practice time after each lesson, all accompanied by great rock 'n' roll music! 🎸 Beginners and drop-ins welcome! Come along to enjoy a fun and friendly atmosphere!

Every Wednesday
Wed, 14 Oct 19:30 BST
South London Rock
Venue 28
Rock n' Roll

Specialist Lindy Hop, Swing Dance & Solo Jazz classes Friendly classes for beginners through to experienced dancers No partner or previous dance experience required Learn to dance socially to authentic Swing Era music

Every Thursday
Thu, 15 Oct 18:50 BST
Sugar Hill Hop
Sugar Hill Hop
Lindy Hop

Join Ruth, Jess and Rich for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing.

Every Thursday
Thu, 15 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
The Langham Club
Swing

Join Katie and Robin for a lesson or two in Swing Dancing.

Every Thursday
Thu, 15 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Living Space
Swing

Join us for our beginners dance night, Swing Den, right across the road from Liverpool Street Station.

Monthly, second Friday
Fri, 06 Nov 19:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Take the beginner taster lesson at 1.15pm-2.00pm, then dance to your heart’s content until 5.00pm.

Monthly, fourth Saturday
Sat, 24 Oct 13:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Exmouth Market Centre
Swing

More Beginners Classes in London

These beginners classes, workshops or courses are happening soon in London - brought to you by our incredible community of dance organisers.

JiveMeToTheMoon is the friendliest, most fun 50s/60s social dance in London. The night starts with 2 Jive sessions for beginners and improvers, followed by a great DJ set. The venue is a lovely brewery, where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks.

Thu, 15 Oct 19:00 BST
Jive Me To The Moon
CRATE St James Street
Jive

Join us for one of the highlights of the year – the night where our students take to the stage. We absolutely love the Performance Ball – the big night where the students get to showcase what they have learned!

Sat, 17 Oct 19:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sun, 25 Oct 14:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Join up for a day of great exercise, tremendous fun and dazzlingly joyful music. Starting from scratch, spend a day with one of our team who will get you dancing away like there is no tomorrow.

Sat, 14 Nov 14:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Claremont Project
Charleston

Bishopsgate Swing Live! is a monthly event with a live swing band and vintage DJs and a taster swing lesson at the start of the evening.

Fri, 20 Nov 19:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sun, 22 Nov 14:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

It’s the festive season and this year our Christmas Ball has a theme: Christmas! Put a bit of tinsel on your shoes or go all out!

Sat, 19 Dec 19:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sat, 09 Jan 12:30 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Walter Sickert Community Centre
Swing

Bishopsgate Swing Live! is a monthly event with a live swing band and vintage DJs and a taster swing lesson at the start of the evening.

Fri, 15 Jan 19:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sat, 06 Feb 12:30 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Walter Sickert Community Centre
Swing

Bishopsgate Swing Live! is a monthly event with a live swing band and vintage DJs and a taster swing lesson at the start of the evening.

Fri, 12 Feb 19:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sun, 28 Feb 14:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sat, 06 Mar 12:30 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Walter Sickert Community Centre
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sun, 21 Mar 14:00 GMT
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sun, 18 Apr 14:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing

Learn to dance in a day and dazzle your friends with your new moves. This workshop is ideal for those wanting to start dancing and don't know where to begin. Throw yourself in and get dancing in one day. Places go fast, so book now!

Sun, 23 May 14:00 BST
Swing Patrol London
Bishopsgate Institute
Swing