TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon, and at the heart of its virality are dance challenges. These catchy routines and infectious beats have taken the world by storm, turning everyday users and celebrities alike into dancing sensations. From living rooms to red carpets, everyone is getting in on the action, remixing and reimagining the latest moves. Even brands are leveraging these dance trends to connect with audiences in creative and engaging ways.
Trending sounds are the engine of discovery on TikTok, meaning the right dance challenge can significantly boost your visibility and impact. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to join the fun or simply want to stay in the loop with what’s trending, these TikTok dance challenges are essential knowledge. Let’s dive into some of the most popular dances that have defined the platform!
Compilation image of various TikTok dance challenges, showcasing diverse styles and participants.
Throughout TikTok’s relatively short but impactful history, countless dance trends have emerged. While some quickly fade, others evolve, constantly being reinvented by new creators adding their unique flair.
TikTok’s growth trajectory, particularly among Gen Z, shows no signs of slowing. And with Gen Z, especially young women, having a deep affinity for dance, we can expect this list of viral dance challenges to expand continuously as new trends emerge on the scene.
33 Must-Know TikTok Dance Challenges
1. The Wednesday Dance
@_jelichamaataWednesday Dance Trend #jelasan #wednesday #wednesdayaddams #wednesdaynetflix #fyp #fypシ #addamsfamily #netflix #wednesdaydance #dancetrend #foryoupage
In 2023, the Wednesday dance challenge became a global sensation, sparked by a memorable scene in Netflix’s Wednesday, a spin-off series of The Addams Family directed by Tim Burton. Jenna Ortega, portraying Wednesday Addams, showcased her character’s uniquely quirky dance moves at the Nevermore Academy school dance. TikTok users worldwide eagerly recreated this routine, adding their own spooky and creative interpretations to these now-iconic steps.
The trend gained even more momentum when Lady Gaga herself joined in, further inspiring creators to participate. The Wednesday dance became one of the most viral moments of the year, solidifying the connection between pop culture and TikTok in driving trends.
As CNET aptly described it, the dance is a blend of “part Argentine tango, part spooky shimmy, and part C-3PO trying to let loose.”
2. Toosie Slide (Drake)
@.jadenkrantz⚗️🔮Is this how you slide?🔮⚗️ #tootsieslide #foryou
The Toosie Slide dance craze originated with the release of Drake’s Toosie Slide music video on YouTube. The song’s lyrics themselves provide instructions for the dance steps, making it easily accessible. It quickly transitioned to TikTok, where millions of users uploaded their own renditions.
3. Renegade (K CAMP)
@mtvIf you meet @charlidamelio on a red carpet, you ask her to do the #renegade dance 😏
The Renegade dance dominated TikTok in late 2019 and early 2020. Even celebrities like YouTuber David Dobrik and Kourtney Kardashian joined in on the trend.
This fast-paced, multi-step dance, set to K-Camp’s song “Lottery,” incorporates popular moves like the woah, the wave, and the dab.
While immensely popular on TikTok, many participants were unaware of its origin. The Renegade was created by Jalaiah Harmon (@jalaiahharmon), a 14-year-old from Atlanta, who initially shared a video of herself and her friend Kaliyah performing the dance on Instagram in September 2019. @global.jones brought it to TikTok in October of the same year, and it exploded into a viral phenomenon.
Harmon identifies as part of the Dubsmash community, a group of young creators who use Dubsmash and similar short-form video platforms to choreograph dances and share them across TikTok and Instagram, seeking recognition for their original choreography in TikTok dance challenges.
4. Cannibal (Kesha)
Despite its somewhat unusual name, the Cannibal dance is named after Kesha’s 2010 song “Cannibal.” In February 2021, 14-year-old Briana Hantsch from Illinois created the first version of the dance, filming herself performing it in her bedroom. The trend quickly gained traction as prominent TikTok figures like Charli D’Amelio and Addison Easterling joined in, inspiring millions more to participate.
5. WAP Dance (Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion)
@addisonrei had to do it before my mom did…. goodnight dc @besperon
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s song “WAP,” released in 2020, became a massive hit on TikTok, inspiring mashups, memes, and of course, a dance challenge. Often, videos featured the song’s explicit lyrics accompanied by the dance, sometimes mixed with other music. For instance, users remixed Megan Thee Stallion’s verse with songs ranging from “Let It Go” to “The Phantom of the Opera.”
The song’s explicit nature even sparked controversy, drawing criticism from conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and leading to a public exchange with Cardi B. This controversy, in turn, amplified the trend, driving even more memes, remixes, and dance videos – a classic example of the Streisand Effect.
Brian Esperon, a choreographer from Guam, created the WAP dance, which Cardi B then shared with her audiences on YouTube and TikTok. It went viral on TikTok within a day. The hashtag #wapchallenge has since accumulated over 20 million views.
6. Last Christmas (Ariana Grande)
@missnalaaaMerry Christmas everybody 🫶🏼 #arianagrande #dancechallenge #dance #trend #makeitvirаl #dancetrend #lastchristmas
♬ Ariana Grande Last Christmas Showmusik Dance Remix – Showmusik
As Christmas 2022 approached, Ariana Grande’s rendition of Wham’s “Last Christmas” experienced a resurgence on TikTok. This popularity ignited a dance challenge as TikTok users embraced the festive spirit and created their own Christmas party-themed videos.
7. The Box (Roddy Ricch)
@itzslavikGravity left the chat… @_aubreyfisher #theboxchallenge #UltraSmoothMoves #realdance
TikTok sensation Charli D’Amelio, at just 15 years old, choreographed the Box dance to a segment from Roddy Ricch’s song “The Box.” She shared multiple versions of the dance, all set to the same song and choreography, for her fans. One of these videos garnered 4.8 million likes, and soon millions of others were uploading their own interpretations.
8. Laxed (Siren Beat)
@jasonderuloI can’t stop watching this @itsjonathanle @justmaiko
♬ Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) – Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo
Jawsh 685 created the Laxed dance in 2019, alongside the “Laxed – Siren Beat” instrumental track, initially uploaded to YouTube. He created the instrumental as an homage to his Samoan and Cook Island heritage. The dance gained popularity primarily as a way to showcase diverse cultures. Users were inspired to create “Culture Dance” videos, celebrating their heritage by dancing to the song in traditional attire.
In 2020, Jason Derulo sampled the track in his song “Savage Love,” leading to copyright issues and a subsequent re-release as “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” credited to both artists.
Jawsh365 reflected, “There were so many people doing it. I couldn’t pick a favorite, but it was pretty cool to see the mix of cultures doing it – Indian, Chinese, and Pacific Island.”
9. Foot Shake Dance
@nathanpilandWhen the #FootShake isn’t on point 😱 @dyvon @e_brzy @lincolnhoppe @demiskinner @ajgonzalez101 #comedy
Originating in 2018, the Foot Shake Dance is one of the earlier dance challenges to gain traction on TikTok. Its relative simplicity made it easy for everyday TikTok users to learn and replicate.
10. Number One Baby
@notavanigreggsorrynumber 1 baby #fypシ #on #avani #notavanigreggsorry
Set to Young Thug and Future’s song “Relationship,” the Number One Baby dance begins with hand and arm movements and culminates in a move that mimics holding an invisible baby. While not officially titled Number One Baby, this is the name it became known by and how most users have tagged their versions.
Although the original song seems to be unavailable on TikTok now, many videos featuring the dance remain.
11. Savage (Megan Thee Stallion)
@keke.janajahNEW DANCE ALERT! 🚨 if u use my dance tag me so i can see🤗 @theestallion #writethelyrics #PlayWithLife #foyou #fyp #foryoupage #newdance #savage
Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” became a TikTok favorite in early 2020. Keara Wilson choreographed a dance challenge to the song that quickly grew into one of TikTok’s largest dance trends. To date, the “Savage” song has been used in over 14 million videos, many of which replicate Wilson’s original choreography.
12. Ride It (Jay Sean)
@zein232k@amyjessicapidgeon ride it
By 2022, Jay Sean’s hit song “Ride It,” released 14 years prior, experienced a significant resurgence on TikTok. It became the soundtrack for a popular dance trend featuring a combination of sharp, quick movements and slowed-down, warping effects.
13. Supalonely (BENEE ft. Gus Dapperton)
@sierrafurtadoSuper lonely #fyp #foryou
@zoifishh choreographed the dance for New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee’s track “Supalonely.” Its popularity surged after influencers like Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae posted their own versions.
The song’s catchy beat and relatable lyrics, such as “while you’re out there drinkin’ / I’m just here thinkin’,” made it a perfect choice for Zoifishh to create an engaging dance.
To date, over 5 million videos have been uploaded using the “Supalonely” track, many showcasing recreations of Zoifishh’s dance moves.
14. Adderall (Corvette Corvette)
@addisonreIdk this dance at all so here’s that @yvnggprince
“Adderall (Corvette Corvette)” was released on October 15, 2020. The very next day, @yvnggprince choreographed a video that quickly captured attention and launched a dance challenge, resulting in over 15 million TikTok videos.
15. The Wobble (V.I.C.)
@sterlingkbrownYou didn’t know the Pearsons could wobble, did you? 😏 #thisisus #wobble #weddingseason
The Wobble originated as a line dance in Philadelphia in the mid-1990s. More recently, rapper V.I.C. wrote a song titled “Wobble,” which became his second single. The TikTok dance craze emerged as creators developed their own versions of dance steps to the song.
16. Don’t Start Now (Dua Lipa)
@hannahkaye.bpls do my dance🥺
The Don’t Start Now dance, set to Dua Lipa’s hit song, dominated TikTok in the first half of 2021. Hannah Kaye Balanay created the original dance, posting a video of herself dancing to the song outdoors. Her caption, “pls do my dance,” became a call to action, and millions of TikTok users, including Charli D’Amelio and Addison Easterling, answered, creating their own renditions.
17. Say So (Doja Cat)
@yodelinghaleyHERE IT IS!! the full say so dance🥺🥰
Haley Sharpe, known as @YodelingHaley on TikTok, gained fame for her dance videos. One of her early uploads in 2019 went viral, establishing her as a creator known for quality dance content.
She then created a viral dance to Doja Cat’s “Say So,” which became widely imitated. Sharpe even included a message in her original Say So video, expressing her wish to be in one of Doja Cat’s music videos. After the dance’s immense popularity, Doja Cat invited Sharpe to make a cameo in the official “Say So” music video.
18. Give it to Me (Timbaland)
@marvzdcasperGive it to me DC:@Nellz #fyp #vibe
Timbaland’s 2007 hit “Give It to Me” experienced a resurgence 15 years later as a popular soundtrack for TikTok dance videos. This particular dance required good hand-eye coordination, adding a layer of challenge and potential for comedic mishaps. The song’s catchy beat made it ideal for a TikTok dance challenge.
19. Git Up Challenge (Blanco Brown)
@fitandphatNo one looks stupid while they’re havin fun #gitup #gitupchallenge #dance #havingfun #fitandphat #dancingnurse #nurse #fyp #goodvibes dc @harvey
The Git Up Challenge emerged in May 2019 when half-brothers Ajani Huff (19) and Davonte House (21) from Utah uploaded a dance to Blanco Brown’s “The Git Up.” Their dance style blends country and hip-hop elements. Since then, over 3 million TikTok users have shared their own versions of the dance.
House commented, “At first [we were] just doing it for fun, but then after we did ‘get up,’ we realized the power choreographers have.”
20. Out West (JACKBOYS and Travis Scott)
“Out West” by JackBoys and Travis Scott, featuring Young Thug, was released on their album JackBoys in December 2019. Almost immediately, Nicole Bloomgarden uploaded a TikTok video featuring the song with a simple dance involving arm raises and hip movements.
The dance became popular, with celebrities like Usher, Emma Chamberlain, David Dobrik, and over 8 million others sharing their versions.
Bloomgarden explained her strategy: “A strategy I learned is [that] dances have to be more catchy than hard. The easier it is to do, the more people are gonna’ do it.”
21. Seven Rings (Ariana Grande)
@rybkatwinsofficialBreakfast at Tiffany’s ☕️ 7 RINGS! 💍💍 #dance #acro #sam #7rings #fitness
Devin Santiago created the Seven Rings dance to Ariana Grande’s song. While it was a slower trend to build momentum compared to others, it eventually became one of the most popular TikTok dance trends of 2020. It features fast, intricate choreography, likely requiring users some time to learn before sharing their moves.
22. Vibe (If I Back It Up)
@from.kawehi.with.aloha#taeyangbigbang #parkjimin #vibedancechallenge #taeyangjimin #taeyangftjiminbts
A standout dance from early 2021 was Mikeila Jones’s (age 22) choreography to Cookie Kawaii’s “Vibe.” Jones initially created the video simply wanting to “be cute” without aiming for virality. However, she quickly realized the song’s infectiousness and danceability while filming.
Within an hour of uploading her dance to TikTok, 100,000 users had begun replicating it, followed by another 300,000 in the next hour.
Although officially titled “Vibe,” the dance is often recognized by the lyric, “If I back it up, is it fat enough?”
23. Blinding Lights (The Weeknd)
@yoyoivanThey had know idea what was going on 😬 blindinglights #family #dance #happyathome #toronto #canada #fyp
The Blinding Lights dance challenge is a fun, group-oriented routine initially popularized by TikTok user @macdaddyz. The dance steps are relatively simple and evoke a retro 1980s feel. Consequently, many videos feature older participants, with parents joining their children, demonstrating that age is no barrier to participating in TikTok trends.
24. Jingle Bells Remix
@joshlwslool @Larnz
Alongside Ariana Grande’s “Last Christmas,” a remix of “Jingle Bells Rock” also fueled festive cheer and dance creativity on TikTok during the 2022 holiday season. This remix became another Christmas-themed dance challenge favorite.
25. I’m Moving Too Fast
@blondie.nkai’m moving so fast🐛 #dance #foryoupage #cyprus #4you
In March 2021, Deaundre Lamar (aka @2live.d) launched the #2liveSoundsmix challenge using his original audio. It rapidly went viral within a week. To date, TikTok users have created over 4.8 million videos featuring the dance and track. The choreography incorporates popular moves like the “woah” and “throw it back.”
26. Stay (The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber)
The Stay dance challenge from @maxtaylorlifts can be considered a more humorous take. The comedic dance appears to playfully mock the song, even beginning with on-screen text stating, “There’s no way people can actually like this song.” Nevertheless, over 7 million TikTok videos have used the song, many featuring interpretations of @maxtaylorlifts’s intentionally “unusual” moves.
27. Tap In (Saweetie)
@dancewithbrittDad learning the tap in dance 🤣 #tapin #tapinchallenge #dadsoftiktok #tiktokdance #fyp
Saweetie’s “Tap In” was one of the most popular songs on TikTok in 2020. @yodamnmamma choreographed a dance to the track, specifically referencing the lyrics, “wrists on glitter/waist on thinner.”
28. Maps Dance Trend
A sped-up remix of Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs swept across TikTok in late 2024, inspiring a dance trend characterized by simple yet expressive hand movements and hip sways. The nostalgic early 2000s indie vibe, combined with easy-to-follow steps, made it widely accessible.
29. I Love Your Daughter Trend
This challenge, based on a voice clip from Gilmore Girls, drew inspiration from an awkward scene in the show. TikTokers began creating humorous dances using exaggerated arm movements and dramatic facial expressions. The comedic nature of this trend made it a favorite for lighthearted content and family reaction videos.
@michaelb0505I love ur daughter
30. Superman Dance Challenge
A remix of Eminem’s Superman sparked this group challenge, where participants lift someone into a “flying” Superman pose. It gained popularity in late 2024. The visual spectacle and collaborative aspect make it an engaging trend, although some institutions have issued warnings about potential safety risks.
@vxonofficialluh ang saya naman! 🤪 #vxon #fyp #fypシ゚viral #group #ppop #tiktoktainmentph #risingontiktok
31. ‘Water’ Dance Challenge
South African singer Tyla’s hit song “Water” ignited a viral dance trend in 2024. The choreography, set to the song’s catchy chorus, saw participation from celebrities like Ciara and Jennifer Hudson, further expanding its reach.
@theinspiredunemployedBuild competion date – 2057 #water #stayinghydrated #tylawaterchallenge
32. Apple Dance
During the Sweat Tour, fans of Charli XCX and Troye Sivan created a dance for their song Sweat, featuring a signature ‘biting the apple’ move. The trend became iconic, with fans and even celebrities joining in.
@phoebe.mulyanaEMERGENCY💃🏻🚨 #tiktokdance #tutorial #remix #budots
33. Emergency Budots Dance
Budots, a high-energy Filipino electronic dance style, was remixed with Dr. Beat in 2024, creating a vibrant dance craze. The wild and chaotic nature of Budots makes it highly entertaining, with professional dancers adding their own impressive flair.
@phoebe.mulyanaEMERGENCY💃🏻🚨 #tiktokdance #tutorial #remix #budots
Wrapping Things Up – Can TikTok Dance Challenges Benefit Brands?
TikTok dance challenges have been a beloved part of the platform since its early days. Ever since the Renegade dance went viral, creators have consistently strived to choreograph the next big TikTok dance challenge, and many have achieved remarkable success. Numerous challenges have amassed millions of views and videos featuring user interpretations.
If you’re a brand, participating in these trends can generate significant publicity. Consider collaborating with an influencer if you’re unsure about showcasing your own dance moves. House of Marketers specializes in developing influencer strategies tailored to your brand, target audience, and marketing objectives.
HOM team
House of Marketers (HOM) is a leading TikTok Marketing Agency, founded by early TikTok employees and partners. This insider knowledge enables us to help leading brands like Redbull, Playtika, Badoo, and HelloFresh succeed on TikTok. Interested in engaging Gen Z and Millennials through TikTok? Contact our team here.
