It’s that time of year again when fresh calendars emerge, offering a blank slate to fill with exciting events and important dates. For dance enthusiasts, marking those special days dedicated to celebrating this art form is a must. It’s easy for these annual dance celebrations to slip by unnoticed, but no longer!
Here is your comprehensive guide to important annual dance events and celebrations around the world, with a special focus on National Dancing Day, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to celebrate dance.
Days to Recognize Dance and the Arts
World Tutu Day
World Tutu Day stands as a global fundraising event dedicated to supporting ballet education.
Ballerinas in tutus for World Tutu Day
Initiated in 2014 by The Australian Ballet School, World Tutu Day has expanded internationally. Funds raised contribute to ballet schools worldwide, enabling talented students with limited financial resources to pursue their ballet dreams.
February 2 (2/2) annually
National Arts Advocacy Day (U.S.)
Hosted by Americans for the Arts and co-sponsored by over 85 national arts organizations, National Arts Advocacy Day is a significant advocacy training event. It gathers grassroots advocates in Washington, D.C., to engage with members of Congress. The focus is on supporting vital issues such as arts education policy, charitable tax deductions, and funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
March 23-24, 2015 (dates vary annually)
dance anywhere®
dance anywhere® is a unique worldwide public art performance that occurs simultaneously across the globe. Created by Beth Fein in 2005, this event marks its anniversary each year by encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to create and perform dances in diverse public spaces. From parks and museums to street corners and workplaces, participants have included professional dancers, artists, and individuals from all walks of life, showcasing choreographed pieces, improvisations, and interpretations of dance.
March 27, 2015 (Last Friday in March) at Noon (Pacific U.S.); 3pm (Eastern U.S.)
Why Dance Matters
Why Dance Matters, a Dance Advantage initiative since 2010, uses social media to highlight the profound impact of dance. Through short messages and the hashtag #whydancematters, dancers online share testimonials about dance’s influence on individuals and communities. This campaign runs year-round on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest, with organized virtual events amplifying the message.
Two annual event days are designated to encourage a surge of testimonials about dance’s importance. The first aligns with Dance Advantage’s anniversary on April 1st, and the second on August 1st, as dance schools and companies prepare for their seasons. These dates serve as a powerful way to promote #whydancematters.
April 1 and August 1
International (World) Dance Day
Celebrated globally since 1982, International Dance Day is an initiative of the International Dance Council CID, UNESCO. Its primary aim is to broaden public awareness of dance as an art form. Events on this day are designed to engage individuals beyond the regular dance audience, featuring performances, open classes, lectures, media articles, parades, and more.
April 29 annually
National Dance Week (U.S.)
National Dance Week, initiated in 1981 by a coalition of dance organizations, aims to increase dance recognition at a grassroots level. The National Dance Week Foundation, established in 2011, promotes dance enjoyment and benefits by expanding community awareness, supporting dance in schools, and fostering professional development.
April 24-May 3, 2015 (dates vary – usually late April or early May)
National Teacher Day (U.S.)
In the United States, Teacher Appreciation Week is observed in the first week of May. During this time, educators nationwide are thanked for their contributions. The National Education Association encourages using #ThankaTeacher to show support on social media.
Dance students and parents often use this day to express their gratitude specifically to dance teachers.
May 5, 2015 (Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation Week — first week in May annually)
Tap Dance Day
While lacking an official website, Tap Dance Day’s history and purpose are significant. The concept was first proposed to the U.S. Congress on February 7, 1989, and officially recognized by President George H.W. Bush on November 8, 1989. Although its official observance was limited to that year, Tap Dance Day continues to be celebrated in the U.S. and internationally, also marking the birthday of tap legend Bill Bojangles Robinson.
May 25 annually
World Lindy Hop Day
World Lindy Hop Day promotes the joy and benefits of Lindy Hop, encouraging participation across diverse communities. The 2014 celebration commemorated Lindy Hop icon Frankie Manning’s 100th birthday and formally established May 26th as World Lindy Hop Day. Records of this centennial celebration can be found at Frankie100.com.
May 26 annually
National Dance Day (U.S.)
Launched in 2010 by Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator of “So You Think You Can Dance” and co-president of the Dizzy Feet Foundation, National Dance Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting dance as a fun and effective way to maintain health and combat obesity. This day gained national recognition through a congressional resolution declaring the last Saturday in July as the official National Dance Day in the United States. It serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact of dance on physical and mental well-being.
National Dance Day logo promoting dance for health and fun
National Dance Day is more than just an event; it’s a call to action for everyone to incorporate dance into their lives. Across the country, people participate in National Dance Day through organized events, dance classes, or simply dancing in their homes and communities. The Dizzy Feet Foundation provides resources and encourages participation through various initiatives, emphasizing accessibility and inclusivity in dance.
July 25, 2015 (Last Saturday in July annually)
World Ballet Day
In 2014, five leading ballet companies—The Royal Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, and San Francisco Ballet—collaborated to stream exclusive rehearsal footage for a global audience over 20 hours for World Ballet Day. This event offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at company warm-ups and included interviews with prominent figures in the ballet world.
While the plans for this year are yet to be announced, anticipation remains high for future World Ballet Day events.
TBA?
World Teacher’s Day
UNESCO proclaimed October 5th as World Teacher’s Day in 1994. This day is dedicated to appreciating, assessing, and enhancing the contributions of educators worldwide. It provides an opportunity to address issues concerning teachers and to support this vital profession that underpins a healthy society.
October 5 annually
Beyond these dedicated days, recognizing the birthdates of legendary dancers and choreographers offers another way to celebrate dance and honor those who have shaped the art form.
Birthdays of Dance Icons
January 5 (1931) – Alvin Ailey
January 12 (1908) – Jose Limon
January 15 (1862) – Loie Fuller
January 22 (1904) – George Balanchine
January 23 (1906) – Lester Horton
January 24 (1925) – Maria Tallchief
January 27 (1879) – Ruth St. Denis
February 12 (1881) – Anna Pavlova
February 14 (1946) – Gregory Hines
March 12 (1889) – Vaslav Nijinsky
March 31 (1872) – Sergei Diaghilev
April 4 (1908) – Antony Tudor
April 16 (1919) – Merce Cunningham
April 23 (1804) – Marie Taglioni
April 27 (1911) – Jack Cole
May 7 (1840) – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (ballet composer)
May 10 (1899) – Fred Astaire
May 11 (1894) – Martha Graham’s Birthday
May 25 (1878) – Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
May 26 (1914) – Frankie Manning
May 27 (1877) – Isadora Duncan
June 14 (1937) – David Howard
June 21 (1850) – Enrico Cecchetti
June 22 (1909) – Katherine Dunham
June 23 (1927) – Bob Fosse
July 6 (1879) – Agrippina Vaganova
July 10 (1923) – Gus Giordano
July 22 (1901) – Charles Weidman
August 23 (1912) – Gene Kelly
August 28 (1925) – Donald O’Connor
August 29 (1958) – Michael Jackson
September 18 (1905) – Agnes DeMille
October 2 (1927) – Jimmy Slyde
October 11 (1918) Jerome Robbins
October 17 (1895) – Doris Humphrey
October 21 (1891) – Ted Shawn
November 13 (1886) – Mary Wigman
November 21 (1912) – Eleanor Powell
December 15 (1879) – Rudolf Laban
December 24 (1930) – Robert Joffrey
This list provides a starting point for celebrating dance throughout the year. Mark your calendars and get ready to move!
Celebrate dance every day!
