Balboa in the UK

Balboa is a close-embrace swing dance from 1930s Southern California, built for crowded ballrooms and fast music. Its tiny, shuffling footwork and subtle shifts of weight make it look effortless; 'Bal-swing' adds open turns and variations. Read our full guide to Balboa.

In the UK, 14 organisers run 14 regular weekly sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with 18 dated events in the diary. Styles on offer: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Blues, Collegiate Shag and Solo Jazz.

Mondays: Balboa at 19:30–21:30 (St Columba's by the Castle) and Collegiate Shag and Balboa (St Matthew's Church). Tuesdays: Woodhall Spa Balboa (St Peter's Hall (per H.A.Y. Lincolnshire page)), Balboa beginners at 19:00–19:50 (Woodside Halls), Balboa social and practice at 19:50–20:10 (Woodside Halls) and Balboa improvers at 20:10–21:00 (Woodside Halls). Wednesdays: Balboa Level 2 at 18:30–19:30 (Southbank Club), Balboa Level 1 at 19:30–20:30 (Southbank Club) and Beginners Swing, Balboa and Bal-Swing (Louis Marchesi pub (upstairs)). Thursdays: Bella Balboa at 20:00–22:00 (Walker Hall (Scout shop), Sheffield) and Thursday Balboa classes (Norton Village Hall, Norton). Fridays: Swing City Soirée: Balboa class and up-tempo social (The Park View). Sundays: Swing by the Riverside (Doggett's Bar, Doggett's Coat and Badge) and Bal Brunch (Balboa and Shag) (Holy Hobo, Jesmond).

Starting out? Balboa Level 2 on Wednesdays at 18:30–19:30, Balboa Level 1 on Wednesdays at 19:30–20:30, Swing City Soirée: Balboa class and up-tempo social on Fridays and Swing City Soirée on 20 Nov 2026 at 19:30–23:00 are described by the organiser as suitable for newcomers. Most classes rotate partners, so you can come on your own – see your first class.

Prices listed by organisers here run from £4 to £45 – a drop-in class or social is usually at the lower end; courses, workshops and weekenders cost more.

Where: Doggett's Bar, Doggett's Coat and Badge (SE1 9UD), Southbank Club (BS3 1DB), The Park View (BN1 6LD), St Columba's by the Castle (EH1 2PW), Columcille Centre (EH10 4RT) and Lauriston Hall and 15 other venues. Each listing has Google and Apple Maps links.

Next up: 15th Birthday: Saturday Live Band Social on Saturday 24 October 2026, 15th Birthday: Sunday Wrap Party on Sunday 25 October 2026 and Edinburgh Balboa Weekend social on Friday 30 October 2026.