Dance in the Park Comes to Ravenscourt Park
Over 42 free events with tutors from stage and screen
Advance booking is required to take part in the activities
July 13, 2026
Ravenscourt Park will come alive with music, movement and midsummer energy this July as DanceWest launches Dance in the Park, a week-long celebration of dance. From 18–24 July, the park becomes an open-air studio, a silent-disco arena and a stage for dancers from across London, offering 42 free events designed to get residents moving together.
Across seven days, you can drop into 30-minute sessions spanning Afro-dance, ballroom, K-pop, Afrobeats, street dance, jazz, Latin, swing, line dancing, musical theatre, Lindy-Hop, jive, Caribbean styles, contemporary, dance of the diaspora and even “dance through Disney”. For families seeking holiday activities or adults looking for a new way to stay active, the invitation is wide open: no experience needed, just enthusiasm.
DanceWest, the charity behind the project, has built a reputation for bringing high-quality dance into community spaces, and Dance in the Park continues that mission. Tutors and choreographers arrive straight from the stage and screen, including artists associated with Strictly Come Dancing, the National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells, Lyric Hammersmith and the Bush Theatre. Their expertise shapes a programme that is both accessible and artistically rich, offering residents the chance to learn from some of the country’s most accomplished practitioners.
Silent disco technology sits at the heart of the event. Participants dance through wireless headphones, creating an immersive shared experience while keeping the park peaceful for wildlife and other visitors. It’s a greener, more considerate way to run outdoor events, and it allows hundreds of people to dance together without disturbing the tranquillity of Ravenscourt Park.
Alongside classes, visitors can enjoy performances from local dancers and community groups, appearances from special guests and a celebratory disco designed to bring everyone together on the final day. The atmosphere, say past participants, is warm, welcoming and unexpectedly transformative. As one family from 2022 put it: “We danced together, laughed together and had such a fun, free day outdoors as a family.” Another participant reflected: “I came along not knowing anyone, but by the end I was dancing with a whole group of new friends.”
For DanceWest’s Founder and Chief Executive Rosie Whitney-Fish, the week is about far more than choreography. “At DanceWest we’re on a mission to bring the health and social benefits of dance to everyone,” she says. “I’ve seen first-hand the transformative power of dance to change lives and empower people, and I truly believe that everyone can dance, you just need to find the style that brings you the most joy.”
She emphasises the simplicity of getting involved: short sessions, a huge variety of styles, and no cost. “Whether you are eight, eighteen or eighty, coming with grandchildren, meeting friends after work or trying something completely new, you'll find a warm welcome. Dance in the Park is a chance to celebrate the diversity, creativity and community spirit that makes London such a special place to live.”
Supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Dance in the Park encourages residents to make the most of their local green spaces, discover the benefits of movement and enjoy the pleasure of dancing side by side with neighbours, friends and family. It is, at its heart, an invitation to join a movement — literally and figuratively.
All events are free, but booking is required. The full programme is available at dancewest.co.uk/danceinthepark26. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
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