Swing Dancing in Boston
While swing dance classes are fun, they go hand-in-hand with social dancing! Below we have weekly swing dances listed as well as special events. Boston is noted for having a friendly community with a variety of places to dance Lindy Hop locally.
Although this includes many of the places where you will find our instructors and students, this is by no means a comprehensive list of dancing opportunities in Boston.
Local Swing Dances
Monday Night Practice
Monday Night Practice is a social dance held twice a month on Mondays at 9:00 PM in Harvard Square, despite the word "practice" in the title. The event features a great wood floor and authentic swing dance music DJed. The cost is $5 for students under 24 with a student ID, and $8 for non-students, and payment is cash only. If you're registered for a Boston Lindy Hop class series, the dance is free while your class is in session.
Boston Swing Central
Boston Swing Central, located in Cambridge, is a dancer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting fun and positive swing dancing experiences in Boston. The event includes a drop-in lesson at 8:00 PM, followed by social dancing at 9:00 PM. The venue offers a parking lot and is within walking distance of the Alewife stop on the Red Line. Most nights feature live bands, with prices varying depending on whether it’s a live band or DJed night.
Monthly/Occasional Swing Dances
Somerville Stomp
Our very own Somerville Stomp, a monthly dance usually held on the 3rd Wednesday at Samba Bar in Somerville. Enjoy dancing, food, drinks, and great company with a $5 cover fee. The event runs from 7 PM to 11 PM, with community hour from 7-8 PM and dancing from 8-11 PM. The venue is easily accessible by public transportation, bike, and street parking.
Uptown Swing
Our friends Tony and Aurelie over at Hop to the Beat studios have been offering Lindy Hop classes for over 20 years! Uptown Swing is their dance, and they bring great live music to a lovely venue in Brookline. Tony and Aurelie also run the Beantown Camp as well as occasional workshop weekends throughout the year.
JP Jitterbugs
JP Jitterbugs offers swing dancing in the Jamaica Plain area, honoring the roots of the art form in pre-WWII Harlem, and influenced by nature—especially the sunset over Jamaica Pond as seen from the boathouse pavilion.
Special Events
We are fortunate to have many special events held throughout the year in Boston, and even more in the greater New England area and beyond. Some of these events are dedicated to social dancing, while others bring in some of the world's best Lindy Hop instructors to teach. We can't possibly list them all, but here are a few to get you started!
Winter: Kind of A Big Deal Weekend
Each January, Boston Swing Central holds its annual Kind of a Big Deal Weekend. It features renowned instructors from around the country teaching two days of classes, and some of the hottest bands in the country playing to boot!
KOABD Website
Fall: Dirty Water Lindy Exchange
Organized by Boston Swing Central, the Dirty Water Lindy Exchange is a weekend dedicated to Boston social dancing and socializing! You won't want to miss this opportunity for amazing music and dancing with old and new friends!
Dirty Water Exchange Website
Summer: Beantown Camp
This camp on the North Shore offers a fantastic immersive opportunity for dancers of all skill levels. Dedicated campers can stay for an entire week, or shorter durations are also available. Now in its 20th year, the camp draws many of the best instructors from around the world.
Beantown Website
