• dancers

    DANCING AT GLEN ECHO PARK

    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 (Jan. 11)

    Join us on January 11, 2025, 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 Rhys Jones, Jay White, Richard Osban and Dan Klingsberg, calling by Dave Hauver!

    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.

    Bumper car mural with text reading "Bumper Car Squares" and "Come dance with us!"

    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!

    January 11 | February 8 | March 8 | April 3 | May 1 | June 5 | September 4 | October 9 | November 6 | December 4

     

    Partnership Dance Series:

    DANCEFIT FOR BODY & MIND

    Join us for a dance series designed to keep your body moving and your spirits up! New dance styles every month, meeting in the Ballroom Back Room.

    More DanceFit Information

     

    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:

    Bumper Car Squares | January 11 

    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