An introductory lesson at the beginning of each event will get you started, and the lesson is included in the price of admission!

Tickets to dances are typically sold at the door but some special events offer online ticket sales.

•••••  Dances This Week  •••••

Thursday, December 10 - Sunday, December 15, 2019

Tuesday Evening: Contra Sonic DJ Dance in the BBR from 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Thursday Evening: Capital Blues DJ dance in the Ballroom Backroom from 8:15 pm - 11:30 pm 

Friday Evening: Contra Dance with live music by Glen Echo Open Band in the Spanish Ballroom from 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Saturday Evening: Swing Dance with live music by The Scott Silbert Orchestra in the Spanish Ballroom from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Sunday Afternoon: Waltz Dance with live music by Honeysuckle Rose Trio in the Spanish Ballroom from 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm

Sunday Evening: Argentine Tango dance in the Ballroom Back Room with DJ music and Tango Brillante DC lessons then a Milonga Dance from 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm and Contra and Square Dance with live music by Eloise & Co in the Spanish Ballroom from 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Check out this story about couples who met while dancing at Glen Echo Park

on CultureSpotMC.com >>

According to Washingtonian magazine, the Spanish Ballroom "dominates the local swing scene." We couldn't agree more. And to that we would add the contra scene, the waltz scene, the blues dancing scene .... well, you get the idea.

Glen Echo Park offers regular social dance events and classes in waltz, swing, contra, salsa, and more. Dances take place in the historic Spanish Ballroom, the Bumper Car Pavilion, and the recently-renovated, climate-controlled Ballroom Back Room. The renovation of the Spanish Ballroom in 2003 brought it back to its original splendor, and it remains the premiere site for dancing in the Washington DC area.

All social dances are open to the public, for all ages, with no prior experience or partner required. All dances offer an introductory lesson before the dance begins and most include live music. Tickets are $5 - $20, depending on the dance, and are sold at the door. Tickets generally cannot be purchased in advance. Dress is casual, and layers are recommended, because the dance halls (with the exception of the Ballroom Back Room) are neither heated nor air-conditioned. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings.

View our Spanish Ballroom video below! >>

Watch them dance!

DC Lindy Exchange 2014 in the Spanish Ballroom

Dance Styles Presented at Glen Echo Park

Ballroom Dances

Balboa Dances

Blues Dances

Contra & Square Dance

Family Dances

Milonga/Tango Dances

Swing Dances

Waltz Dances

Brazilian Zouk

Kizomba Dances

West Coast Swing

Learn more about dance presenters and dance styles here >>

Assurance Statement of Non-Discrimination

Code of Conduct for Social Dances

Learn about the historic Spanish Ballroom's rich history.

Watch our new video now!

This project has been financed in part with funds from Heritage Montgomery and Montgomery County Government.

This project has been financed in part with State Funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Inc. is funded by an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive, and also by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County. In addition, individual, foundation, and corporate donors generously support the Partnership. All programs are produced in cooperation with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, Maryland.