The Swing Out Gazette
No. 8 · Vol. IFriday 30 October 2026London · Devon · Cardiff · Bristol · 28 more towns · Find classes near you
Festival guide · exchange · Oxford

Oxford Lindy Exchange (OLX)

Lindy Hop, Blues, Charleston, Shag, Balboa · usually June

Where
Oxford
Website
oxfordlindyexchange.com (opens in a new tab)
Organiser
Oxford Lindy Hoppers

About Oxford Lindy Exchange (OLX)

Oxford Lindy Exchange is a three-day social weekender run by the Oxford Lindy Hoppers, a non-profit community swing group in the city. The 2026 edition, held on 12 to 14 June, was billed as five parties, four bands and three days, covering Lindy Hop, Blues, Charleston, Shag and Balboa. The weekend opens on Friday evening in a church hall in central Oxford, then moves to the Olivier Hall at St Edward's School in Summertown for the Saturday ball and the Sunday tea dance, a purpose-built concert hall with a wooden floor. Two after-parties sit alongside the main nights, a soul and funk one on Friday and a late live blues session on Saturday. Four UK bands play across the weekend. Extras in 2026 included a talk on the history of Lindy Hop in Britain, a band-led tour through jazz styles, dance tasters, a picnic, games and cake. This is mainly a social dancing event rather than a class festival: the organisers describe it as suiting any level, and you can come for an evening, a day or the whole weekend. It suits dancers who already enjoy social dancing and want to meet people from other scenes, and non-dancers can buy spectator tickets. Visiting dancers from abroad are reminded on the venues page that they may need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.

What to expect

The organisers say hotels and B&Bs in Oxford fill up quickly in summer, so book a place to stay as early as you can; they suggest university college rooms as one option. Formal hosting was not offered in 2026. Full tickets and single-day spectator tickets are sold through the Oxford Lindy Hoppers booking page, group discounts exist for organised groups from other scenes, and a community fund helps people who need financial support. Prices are not shown on the main page. Both main venues have bike stands, and parking at St Edward's is limited to Blue Badge holders, so the Park and Ride is the usual advice.

New to festivals?

Most UK weekenders welcome improvers and up, and many add a taster or beginners' track – check the organiser's page. Our guide to swing festivals covers passes, tracks and what to pack.

Sources

Checked against the festival's own website on Friday 30 October 2026. Dates and prices change – confirm before you book.

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