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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Sheffield’s free community dance festival Chance to Dance takes place in the city centre each July.

For one day, the festival will fill a bunch of outdoor spots with music and movement.

It sees dance groups perform and lead dance sessions for the public to join in with, on open stages in the city centre – reflecting the diversity of cultures and types of dance that people can take part in in Sheffield.

Part of the ethos of the festival is to encourage people to join in themselves – with everything from salsa to bhangra, ballroom to modern jive.

Chance to Dance was established in 2000. The idea came from Sheffield’s involvement in the World Health Organisation European Healthy City Movement, when Turku in Finland challenged European cities to organise a dance festival in their streets.

Come back soon for details of Chance to Dance 2026.

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