Blackpool Dance Festival marks 100 years with historic free event at the Empress Ballroom
The Empress Ballroom will welcome the public for a special free event celebrating 100 years of the Blackpool Dance Festival.
Residents across the Fylde Coast are being invited to experience one of the world’s most iconic dance venues as the Blackpool Dance Festival marks its 100th anniversary with a special free community event.
Taking place on Friday, May, 15, the celebration will see the doors of the legendary Empress Ballroom opened to the public, offering a rare opportunity for audiences to witness the spectacle and global prestige of the Festival up close.
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A total of 2,000 free tickets will be available via public ballot, now open for applications.
Widely regarded as the most prestigious ballroom dance competition in the world, the Blackpool Dance Festival has been staged annually at the Winter Gardens since 1920.
Each year it attracts thousands of competitors and spectators from more than 50 countries, with dancers considering a performance on the Empress Ballroom floor the pinnacle of their careers.
As part of the centenary celebrations, audiences will enjoy a special showcase featuring Strictly Come Dancing professionals Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu, alongside performances from youth, amateur and professional dancers.
The programme aims to highlight the artistry, discipline and global appeal of both Ballroom and Latin dance.
Festival organiser Natalie Hayes said: “This is a rare chance for our local community to step onto the world’s most famous dance floor and experience the magic of the Blackpool Dance Festival first-hand. In our centenary year, it’s incredibly important to us that we share this moment with the people of Blackpool and the Fylde coast.”
Attendees will also be invited to join an interactive Cha Cha Cha masterclass, giving participants a hands-on introduction to competitive dance within the historic setting.
The free event forms part of a wider programme marking 100 years of the Festival, reinforcing Blackpool’s international reputation as the home of ballroom dance.
Tickets for the event will be allocated via a public ballot, open to individuals, couples and groups across the Fylde coast.
To apply, visit wintergardensblackpool.co.uk with entries closing at midnight on Sunday 3 May 2026.
School and community groups are also invited to apply by emailing [email protected]
Important event info
• Event: Blackpool Dance Festival Community Celebration
• Date: Friday 15 May 2026
• Sessions: Two performances at 16:30 and 18:30
• Venue: Empress Ballroom
• Admission: Free (ticketed via ballot)
• Ballot Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 3 May 2026