Celebrating 90 Years of the Historic Spanish Ballroom!

Dance Into the Future with Us!

Glen Echo Park has three unique dance venues that host our weekly social dances: Spanish Ballroom, Bumper Car Pavilion, and Ballroom Back Room. The historic Spanish Ballroom proudly celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

General Information

Our fun and affordable social dances are open to the public with no prior experience and no partner required. New dancers are always welcome, and a pre-dance, introductory lesson is included with admission. Most dances feature live music by renowned local and national bands.

Dances take place year-round and occur regularly on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Frequently, two or three different dances are presented at the same time, one in each dance hall, offering greater variety to the public. (View the Dance Calendar below!)

Dance Styles

Currently, we're presenting dances in these styles:

Blues  •  Contra & Square  •  Swing  •  Folk  •  Waltz  •  Tango & Milonga  •  Ballroom  •  Zouk  •  Barn Dances  •  Balboa  •  Other Latin Dances

 

2024 New Dance Styles

View Dance Calendar

Special Partnership Dances!

BUMPER CAR SQUARES (Dec. 7)

Join us on December 7, 2024, for Bumper Car Squares! The Glen Echo Park Partnership presents a special series of square dances in the Bumper Car Pavilion. Saturday nights 7:00pm-10:30pm. Live music by Rachel Eddy, Em Hammond & Friends, calling by Beth Molaro!

Haven’t ever square danced or maybe the last time was in elementary school? YOU can do this! Come at 7:00pm (sharp) for an introductory session, and we’ll have you Do-Si-Do-ing and swinging your partner in no time flat.

NO partner, special attire, or prior experience necessary. The Bumper Car Pavilion has a wonderful wooden floor and overhead radiant heaters will keep you toasty warm throughout the winter months.

Tickets sold at the door (cash, credit card, check accepted) | $15-adults, $5-teens, 12 and under FREE! 

Save these dates for amazing square dancing!

December 7 | January 11

Partnership Dance Series:

DANCEFIT FOR BODY & MIND

Join us for a brand new dance series designed to keep your body moving and your spirits up! Saturdays 11:15am-12:15pm

$15/class | Cash, Check, or Credit Card Accepted at the Door | Adults Ages 18+

 

NOVEMBER:

Shake Your Soul with Katy Baytosh
Experience the JOY of dance through Shake Your Soul! Shake Your Soul is a dynamic movement practice that energizes your body, relaxes your nervous system, and awakens your soul through a dance repertoire set to world music. Fun, freeing, meditative, graceful, and sweaty, the class invites you to dance from within and with others in community. Absolutely no dance experience is needed to experience this body mind connection. This class is appropriate for all levels and welcomes all movers and music lovers.

Street shoes are not allowed in the Hall of Mirrors Dance Studio. Please bring shoes that have not been worn outside or be prepared to participate barefoot or in socks. Please wear comfortable clothing.

Four consecutive classes: November 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd. Come to any or all!

Park Map >>

Presenter: Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture

Location: Hall of Mirrors Dance Studio

Admission: $15 Cash, Check or Credit Card. No pre-registration, pay at the door.

Email: info@glenechopark.org

Learn about the history of the Spanish Ballroom

Watch this short video

Watch this short video to learn about the history of the Spanish Ballroom! 

Learn more about the ballroom and the history of the Park

To visit our Park History page, click here >>

Volunteer for Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture dances!

Volunteer for one hour, to either help set up or break down for a dance or event, and gain free admission to the dance or event! To volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@glenechopark.org.

View upcoming dates volunteers are needed:

December 7th 2024 Bumper Car Squares 7:00-10:30pm

December 14th 2024 Transcendental Light Orchestra-two music concerts 7:00-8:30pm and 9:00-10:30pm

While we weren't able to be together in the Park during the height of the pandemic, we enjoyed bringing you some of your favorite dance bands who performed for our Live from the Spanish Ballroom virtual music series. The performances are on Youtube, so have fun watching and dancing along! 

Learn More & Watch on YouTube