Dance styles

Collegiate Shag in the UK

10 organisers teaching or running Collegiate Shag in the UK, with 6 weekly nights and 24 dated events – each checked against the organiser's own site.

Collegiate Shag is a fast, bouncy swing dance from 1930s American colleges, with quick hopping steps that keep up with the speediest swing tunes. It is light and playful and a favourite at fast-music competitions and late-night jams. Read our full guide to Collegiate Shag.

Lindy Hop and swing in the UK

In the UK, 10 organisers run 6 regular weekly sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with 24 dated events in the diary. Styles on offer: Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Balboa and Blues.

Mondays: Collegiate Shag and Balboa (St Matthew's Church). Tuesdays: Blues and Collegiate Shag at 19:30–21:30 (Greyfriars Charteris Centre). Thursdays: Thursday Collegiate Shag (block 29 Oct-26 Nov) at 20:30–21:30 (Garnethill Multicultural Centre, Glasgow) and Level 1 Shag at 19:30–20:15 (LifeCare Centre, Edinburgh). Fridays: Shag Pile (Collegiate Shag) at 19:00–21:00 (The Mulberry Hall, St Margaret's House, Bethnal Green). Sundays: Bal Brunch (Balboa and Shag) (Holy Hobo, Jesmond).

Starting out? Shag Pile (Collegiate Shag) on Fridays at 19:00–21:00, Shag Pile Collegiate Shag class on 11 Dec 2026, St Louis Shag workshop (beginners) on 14 Nov 2026 and Collegiate Shag and Balboa on Mondays 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 £48 – a drop-in class or social is usually at the lower end; courses, workshops and weekenders cost more.

Where: St Mary's Hall (CF11 9BX), Ysgol Bro Morgannwg (Barry), Dinas Powys Parish Hall (CF64 4AF), The Mulberry Hall, St Margaret's House (E2 9PL), The BlackStock (N4 2HY) and Greyfriars Charteris Centre (EH8 9RR) and 10 other venues. Each listing has Google and Apple Maps links.

Next up: Swing Fix @ St Columbas on Tuesday 27 October 2026, Shag Pile on Friday 30 October 2026 and Collegiate Shag Bootcamp with Jim & Nicky on Saturday 31 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I learn Lindy Hop or swing dance in the UK?

Shag Pile (Collegiate Shag) at The Mulberry Hall, St Margaret's House, Blues and Collegiate Shag at Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Collegiate Shag and Balboa at St Matthew's Church and Bal Brunch (Balboa and Shag) at Holy Hobo, Jesmond. Full times and venues are listed on this page.

What nights are the classes and socials?

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Times are as listed by each organiser; anything marked "check first" should be confirmed before you travel.

How much does it cost?

Listed prices run from £4 to £48. Drop-in classes and socials are cheapest; courses and weekend workshops cost more.

Do I need a partner or any experience?

No. 8 sessions are marked as suitable for beginners, and most classes rotate partners so you can come alone.

Where can I go social dancing?

Collegiate Shag Bootcamp with Jim & Nicky, Cut A Rug (social swing dance, DJs), St Louis Shag workshop (beginners) and Bal Brunch (Balboa and Shag). Socials often start with a short taster class.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes and shoes that turn on a wooden floor – suede or leather soles are ideal, trainers with smooth soles are fine. See our guide to what to wear.

Edinburgh

Organisers

The Swing Project

Cardiff

Cardiff Lindy Hop courses, solo jazz, monthly Bootlegger drop-in night, workshops and weekenders.

Lindy Hop · Solo Jazz · Charleston

Shag Pile

London

Weekly Friday Collegiate Shag class in Bethnal Green plus a regular DJ-led social swing night in Finsbury Park.

Collegiate Shag · Lindy Hop

Edinbop

Edinburgh

Non-profit Edinburgh swing group with weekly Balboa, blues/shag and Lindy classes, Balboa and St Louis Shag workshops, and live-music socials.

Balboa · Blues · Collegiate Shag

Swing Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne

Volunteer-run Newcastle swing club with Monday classes and socials, alternate-Monday Balboa and Shag, and Bal Brunch socials.

Lindy Hop · Balboa · Collegiate Shag

Oxford Lindy Hoppers

Oxford

Oxford Lindy Hop club running Thursday Fire Station Swing classes and socials, plus Tuesday and first-Friday sessions.

Lindy Hop · Collegiate Shag

Swing at the Folk House

Bristol

Bristol Folk House live-band swing socials roughly every other month, plus the Bristol Stomp weekend.

Lindy Hop · Balboa · Collegiate Shag

Cambridge Swing Dance

Cambridge

Cambridge volunteer-style swing scene with weekly Lindy Hop and blues classes, socials, courses and annual festivals.

Lindy Hop · Blues · Balboa

Glasgow Jitterbugs

Glasgow

Thursday Lindy Hop, shag and soul lindy classes in Glasgow city centre, plus an annual Soul Lindy weekend.

Lindy Hop · Charleston · Collegiate Shag

Edinburgh Swing Dance Society (ESDS)

Edinburgh

Thursday-night Lindy Hop and shag classes, open practice and social dancing at the LifeCare Centre in Stockbridge.

Lindy Hop · Collegiate Shag · Solo Jazz

Vintage Tap and Swing

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Lindy Hop classes and workshops at North Merchiston Club, run alongside tap teaching.

Lindy Hop · Collegiate Shag

Every week

Mondays

Mon

Collegiate Shag and Balboa

St Matthew's Church, Newcastle upon Tyne · Swing Tyne

Time to confirm · class · Fundamentals 19:30-20:10, Improvers 20:20-21:00

£4 one class; £7 twoCheck first

Tuesdays

Tue

Blues and Collegiate Shag

Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Edinburgh · Edinbop

19:30–21:30 · class

Confirmed

Thursdays

Thu

Thursday Collegiate Shag (block 29 Oct-26 Nov)

Garnethill Multicultural Centre, Glasgow · Glasgow Jitterbugs

20:30–21:30 · class · Mixed level; newcomers should join in the first two weeks of the block

Confirmed

Thu

Level 1 Shag

LifeCare Centre, Edinburgh · Edinburgh Swing Dance Society (ESDS)

19:30–20:15 · class · Level 1, complete beginners

NewcomersConfirmed

Fridays

Fri

Shag Pile (Collegiate Shag)

The Mulberry Hall, St Margaret's House, Bethnal Green · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · class · Starts from the basics each week; beginners welcome

From £5NewcomersConfirmed

Sundays

Sun

Bal Brunch (Balboa and Shag)

Holy Hobo, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne · Swing Tyne

Time to confirm · social · All levels

FreeCheck first

Coming up

October 2026

27
Oct

Swing Fix @ St Columbas

St Columbas Church, Oxford · Oxford Lindy Hoppers

Time to confirm · event · See organiser

See organiserCheck first

30
Oct

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

31
Oct

Collegiate Shag Bootcamp with Jim & Nicky

St Mary's Hall, Cardiff · The Swing Project

12:00–16:00 · workshop · Shag Fundamentals 12:00-13:30; Shag Adventurers 14:15-15:45

Confirmed

November 2026

6
Nov

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

10
Nov

Swing Fix @ St Columbas

St Columbas Church, Oxford · Oxford Lindy Hoppers

Time to confirm · event · See organiser

See organiserCheck first

13
Nov

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

14
Nov

St Louis Shag workshop (beginners)

Lifecare, Edinburgh · Edinbop

Time to confirm · workshop · Beginners

NewcomersCheck first

14
Nov

St Louis Shag Workshop (with Edinbop)

LifeCare Edinburgh, Edinburgh · Vintage Tap and Swing

13:15–16:45 · class · Suitable for beginners

NewcomersConfirmed

15
Nov

Yet more Shag Shenanigans (workshops + social, live William Arthur Trio)

St Michael and All Angels Church Hall, Oxford · Oxford Lindy Hoppers

11:15–17:30 · workshop

Confirmed

16
Nov

Cut A Rug (social swing dance, DJs)

The BlackStock, Finsbury Park · Shag Pile

19:00–22:30 · social · All dancers

Confirmed

16
Nov

Cut A Rug

The BlackStock, London · Shag Pile

19:00–22:30 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

17
Nov

Swing Fix @ St Columbas

St Columbas Church, Oxford · Oxford Lindy Hoppers

Time to confirm · event · See organiser

See organiserCheck first

20
Nov

Pass the Bounce festival

Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, Barry · The Swing Project

Time to confirm · festival · All

Check first

20
Nov

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

24
Nov

Swing Fix @ St Columbas

St Columbas Church, Oxford · Oxford Lindy Hoppers

Time to confirm · event · See organiser

See organiserCheck first

27
Nov

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

NaN
Nov

Swing Fix @ St Columbas

St Columbas Church, Oxford · Oxford Lindy Hoppers

Time to confirm · event · See organiser

See organiserCheck first

December 2026

4
Dec

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

11
Dec

Shag Pile Collegiate Shag class

The Mulberry Hall, St Margaret's House, Bethnal Green · Shag Pile

Time to confirm · class · Beginners and experienced

From £5NewcomersCheck first

11
Dec

Shag Pile

The Mulberry Hall, St. Margaret's House, London · Shag Pile

19:00–21:00 · event · See organiser

See organiserConfirmed

January 2027

14
Jan

Save the Fast Dance 2027 (Shag and Balboa festival)

Cambridge · Cambridge Swing Dance

Time to confirm · festival

Check first

30
Jan

Winter Welsh Weekender with Elze and Peter

Dinas Powys Parish Hall, Dinas Powys · The Swing Project

Time to confirm · festival · All

Check first

31
Jan

Bristol Stomp 2027: Sunday tea dance with The Barrel House Vipers

Bristol Folk House, Bristol · Swing at the Folk House

14:00–18:00 · social · Lindy, Balboa and Shag dancers

Confirmed

July 2027

30
Jul

Cardiff Summer Swing Out

Dinas Powys Parish Hall, Dinas Powys · The Swing Project

Time to confirm · festival · All

Check first

Other styles: Lindy Hop · Balboa · Charleston · Solo Jazz · Blues.