Thursday Contra Dance in Philadelphia
2025-12-18 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Commodore Barry Center, 6815 Emlen St, Philadelphia, PA, 19119, United States
Weekly Contra Dance – See our website for this week’s band and caller(s).
Mostly contras with occasional squares, mixers, four facing fours, and more.

7:30pm New Dancer Lesson; 8:00pm to 10:30pm dancing
Masks are no longer required but are welcomed.
Our sliding scale is $10-$15-$20.
Our role terms are Larks and Robins.

Rivanna Contra Dance
2025-12-19 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, VA, 22932, United States
Third Friday contra dances in Charlottesville, VA. A few miles off I-64. Mask optional. Larks & Robins. Intro lesson 7:00 PM. Dance starts 7:30 PM.
Sliding scale admission: recommend $20

Contra Dance with Alice Raibourn & The Mystic Gorillas
2025-12-19 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville,, FL, 32603
The Mystic Gorillas are:

Roger Eudy on guitar
Buz Sibley on fiddle
Lloyd Baldwin on banjo and fiddle

Schedule:

6:00pm – 7:00 – Setup
7:00pm – 9:45pm – Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup

Suggested Donation:

$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.

Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Orlando Contra Dance
2025-12-19 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Winter Park Ballroom Dance Co., 6904 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL, 32792-7003, United States
Welcome to the Orlando Contra Dance! We feature high-tempo, gender-neutral dancing. We are Florida’s only gender-neutral contra series. Dancing is open to everyone and free for students and returning beginners (2nd dance is free)!
We usually dance on the first and third Friday of the month. Holidays, semester breaks, and regional events happen, so check the schedule before going!

ContraATL Weekly Dance
2025-12-19 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
Atlanta’s weekly contra dance features a variety of local and regional talent. We dance every Friday night except rare blackout dates, generally last two Fridays in December and the first Friday in January.

3rd Friday Hot Springs NC Contradance
2025-12-19 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Pine Hall, 64 South Spring St, Hot Springs, NC, 28743, United States
Monthly 3rd Friday dance in Hot Springs North Carolina, a mere 200 yards from the Appalachian Trail!
Find us on Facebook: Friends of Hot Springs Contradance

Friday Contra Dance, Nashville TN
2025-12-19 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Second Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 3511 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN, 37215, United States
All are welcome to come and dance! You don’t need to bring a partner. Contra dancing is easy to learn. We have beginners’ lessons for anyone who hasn’t done it before, or wants a reminder.
$7 – $25, pay what you can.

Third Friday Contra at Guiding Star Grange
2025-12-19 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
Caller and featured musicians vary each month; please check the Guiding Star Grange website for details.
Other musicians are welcome to come and be part of the amorphous “Back Row Band.”
Schedule: 8:00 PM: Contra Dancing for All; often a beginner session at 7:45.
Cost: $10 or barter equivalent
See venue website for this month’s details and Covid policy.

Friday Night Contra at Glen Echo, Maryland
2025-12-19 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD, 20812, United States
Join us in Glen Echo, Maryland, for a fun night of contras and an occasional square! There’s a free lesson at 7:30pm.

Lenox Contra Dance
2025-12-20 07:15 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Lenox Community Center, 65 Walker St, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Come join us contra dancing to live music. We have a different band and caller each month. Dances are held on Third Saturday nights in Lenox, Massachusetts in the Lenox Community Center, at 65 Walker Street. Experience the pleasure of dancing on a beautiful wood floor, in a high-ceiling second floor (handicapped accessible) ballroom with a raised stage.
Admission is $12-15 for adults and $8-10 for students. New Dancers – 2nd dance free!
Dances begin with a 15-minute beginner introduction at 7:15 followed by dancing from 7:30 to 10:30. Refreshments are offered during the social break from dancing. All the dances are taught. No partner necessary. Come alone or bring friends. Details at LenoxContraDance.org.

LITMA Special Dance Event at Westbury Friends
2025-12-20 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Westbury Friends School, 550 Post Ave., Westbury, NY, 11590, United States
10:00–1:00 – Callers’ Workshop – $50 – Scholarships Available
2:00–5:00 – Contradance – Band: LITMA Contra Band – Caller: Louise Siddons
Please bring a Friend (or two) and Snacks to share at the break.
For information, email Chart Guthre at chartg@optonline.net or Toni Kaste Lonedoggy17@gmail.com, or call 631-369-7854.

Southern Illinois Community Contra Dance
2025-12-20 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Church of the Good Shepherd Carbondale, 515 S Orchard Dr, Carbondale, IL, 62901, United States
Our monthly dance is “Blue Zone” living in a war zone world. Connect with neighbors, move your body, eat healthy(ish) food, give your social media a downtime. Southern Illinois Community Contra Dance might just help you live to age 100.
$5 or pay what you can.

Tucson Contra Dance
2025-12-20 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Phoenix) | Southern Arizona Dance Center, 4801 E 29th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85711, United States
Join us for our first and third Saturday contra dance! Doors open at 6:00 pm. Intro lesson at 6:30 pm. Dance from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Check our website for more details.

Monterey Contra Dance
2025-12-20 18:40 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monterey YMCA, 600 Camino el Estero, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Monterey Country Dance Community holds contra dances most first Sundays and third Saturdays, unless otherwise noted in our schedules and calendars. Come alone or bring a friend—beginners are always welcome!

First Sundays: Lessons at 3:40 PM; dance from 4–7 PM
Third Saturdays: Lessons at 6:40; dance from 7–10 PM.

​Prices:

$15-$30, sliding scale, general admission
$10-$25, members of MCDC, BACDS, CDSS or other sister organizations;
$5, active military & full-time students, with ID;
FREE! for children 12 & under

South Florida Contradance
2025-12-20 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2601 St Andrews Blvd, Boca Raton, FL, 33434, United States
Enjoying contra dance
You’ll be smiling and laughing.
No partner is necessary. Lesson at the beginning. Wear casual clothes and soft soled shoes.
Age range 10-100
Dances are called.
Put the phone down and destress your life.

South Florida Contra Dances
2025-12-20 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton, 2601 St Andrews Blvd, Boca Raton, FL, 33434, United States

Syracuse Country Dancers Contra Dance
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | United Church of Fayetteville, 310 East Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY, 13066, United States
Contra dancing every 1st and 3rd Saturday.

3rd Saturdays Contra Dance, Grass Valley CA
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Grass Valley Elks Lodge, 109 S School St #3, Grass Valley, CA, 95945, United States
Live music, historic ballroom, sprung dance floor, beginner/refresher session at 6:40pm. Dance 7-10pm. Doors open 6:30. $15. Potluck snacks/treats at halftime!
Elks Lodge in downtown Grass Valley: 109 S. School St., 95945 (fairly easy parking on street and town lots); across from the Center for the Arts. Check our website for band & caller info.

Lancaster, PA Monthly Contra Dance
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lancaster, PA, 321 W. Chestnut St, Lancaster, PA, 17603, United States
Join us on the third Saturday of each month for a community contra dance! Fall, winter and spring at the church; summer in the park pavilion.

Wasatch Contras Third Saturday Monthly Contra Dance
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Denver) | E. W. Garbett Center for Choral Studies, Salt Lake City, UT, 84103, United States
We Dance every Third Saturday of the Month!
Beginner’s session starts at 7:00 pm
Dance starts at 7:30 pm
General admission $10
Sliding Scale (financial hardship) $8
Youth $5

Swingin' Tern Contra Dance
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chatham, NJ, 200 Main St., Chatham, NJ, 07928, United States
Our contra dances are held every first and third Saturday evening year-round from 7:30pm–10:30pm with a beginners’ workshop at 7pm. We have occasional double dances along with a New Year’s Eve dance.
Our full calendar
Useful Information:

Newcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller.
We no longer require vaccination. Masks are optional.
All dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in.
We are air-conditioned. We have windows on three sides when we want to let the breeze come in.
Our dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC.
We welcome contributions of home-baked [or not] goodies to share at the break.
Please bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the kitchen sink.
Wear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes.
We are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!

$15 adults/$5 students

3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Philadelphia
2025-12-20 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Summit Presbyterian Church, 6757 Greene St., Philadelphia, PA, 19119, United States
Every 3rd Saturday from September through May. See our website for this month’s band and caller.
We use gender neutral role terms at all dances.
Proud Associate member of PATMAD and CDSS.
Payment is on a sliding scale.

Third Saturday Contra at Guiding Star Grange
2025-12-20 19:30 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
The Moving Violations are: Ron Grosslein (fiddle, mandolin, djembe), Autumn Rose Lester (fiddle), and Eric Eid-Reiner (piano). Caller varies each month; please check the Guiding Star Grange website for details.
Schedule: Newcomers workshop 7:30-8:00 p.m. Contra dance 8:00-11:00 p.m.
Cost: $12-20 sliding scale ($10 for students and children, $8 for under 13) at the door.
Calling terms: Gender-neutral terms (larks and robins) are used at the 3rd Saturday dance.
There is no preregistration or verified dancer list for the 3rd Sat. dance. There is also no attendance cap.
See venue website for this month’s details.
Masks are welcome but optional. Ventilation will be provided to the extent possible, depending on temperature, humidity, and number of dancers. If you are experiencing any symptoms, have tested positive for Covid in the last 10 days, or have a household member with Covid, please stay home and join us a future month.

Montpelier Contra Dance
2025-12-20 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Capital City Grange Hall, 6612 Vermont Rt. 12, Berlin, VT, 05602, United States
Montpelier Contra Dance with callers and bands that perform regionally and nationally—see website or Facebook events
Beginners, singles, and all ages are welcome; all dances are taught.
Gender-neutral role terms (Larks and Robins)
Newcomers lesson 7:40 pm. Dancing 8-11pm.
Please bring clean soft-soled shoes.
Masks optional / Excellent ventilation with open windows and ceiling exhaust fan (bring a sweater in cooler months)
More info at our website.
$12 adults, $5 kids/low-income, $20 dance supporters.
Questions? 802-225-8921 or cdu.tim@gmail.com
Dancing 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays year round

Contra Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2025-12-20 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Every Saturday
LARGE STUDIO

7:30 – 8:00 pm Lesson
8:00 – 11:00 pm Dance

Cost:
Live Music: $15 General Admission | $12 Tapestry Member | $8 Young Adult (Ages 18-30) | $4 Youth (Ages 10-17) | Under 10 – Free
“Pay What You Choose” first seven days of every month (1st through the 7th)
Recorded Music: $12 General | $10 Members | $7 Young Adult & Youth (Ages 10 -21)
What is Contra Dance?
In a Contra dance, a leader, known as a caller, teaches basic dance steps during an introductory “walk-through” of the dance. Dancers learn by walking through the steps and formations, following the caller’s instructions. The dance figures are similar to those of old-time square dancing except the figures are usually danced in a line, with leaders and followers facing each other.
​These dances are lively, social, easy to learn, and aerobic. Although you will dance with a partner, it isn’t necessary to come with one. All dances are taught and are usually done in “long-ways sets” (partners facing in long lines down the hall). Many of the regular Tapestry Folkdance Center Contra bands play old-time music (similar to bluegrass), but the music at any given Saturday night Contra may reflect a range of music traditions, such as New England, French Canadian, Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and modern compositions.
How does Contra Dance Work?
“A contra dance can be thought of as a triangle of energy with the three vertices being the musicians, the dancers and the caller. Magical evenings occur when all three come together, feeding off of each others’ energy to raise and sustain an atmosphere of fun and joy. The caller’s role in this is paramount. Good music and dancers without a good caller may not be magical. Poor teaching, lack of rapport or inappropriately selected dances can lead to frustration. But a good caller can make even new dancers feel like they are good, and by working with the musicians to match music to dances, set the right tempo, and feed off the energy of everyone in the hall, the caller can help make magic.”
by Beau Farmer, Tapestry Folkdance Center Contra Caller

Louisville Third-Saturday Contra Dance
2025-12-20 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Highlands Community Campus, 1228 E. Breckinridge Street, Louisville, KY, 40204, United States
Louisville, Kentucky’s monthly third-Saturday contra dance. Check our website for details on bands and callers. Don’t miss the free lesson at 7:30pm. First-time attendees dance free! Waltzing and snacks at the break.

LITMA Contradance
2025-12-21 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Brush Barn, 211 E Main St, Smithtown, NY, 11787, United States
LITMA Contradances are usually held on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 2:00-5:00PM from September through June at the Brush Barn, 211 E Main St, Smithtown, Long Island.
Basic instruction at 1:45 PM
$15 General admission
$10 LITMA Members
Students Half Price
Children under 16 FREE with paid Adult

Contra Dance in St Louis
2025-12-21 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | The Monday Club of Webster Groves, 37 S. Maple Ave., Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
Weekly contra dance in St Louis area (actually Webster Groves MO). Always great live music. First dance each month features open calling.

Chicago Contra Dance
2025-12-22 19:00 - 21:40 (America/Chicago) | Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
The Chicago Barn Dance Company sponsors and supports contra dance, traditional square dance, and old-time music in the Chicago area. Our dances are held every Monday night, except holidays, in the beautiful fourth-floor Erin Ballroom at Chicago’s Irish American Heritage Center. The dance venue is near the Montrose Blue Line stop, or you can park in the large FREE parking lot on site.
Admission is $7-$10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. Come at 6:30pm if you would like a beginner/refresher lesson.

The Asheville Monday Night Contra Dance
2025-12-22 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | The Ivy Building at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, 9 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, 28801, United States
New Location, Times, & Admission
The Ivy Building at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
9 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801
(On GPS, type the address, not the building name! The building looks like an old church and is across from the Ferguson Medical Building at 10 Genevieve Circle.)

Lesson: 7:00pm – 7:30pm
Dance: 7:30pm – 10:00pm
$0 – $50 Sliding Scale; $12 Suggested
Check our Facebook page for caller and musician info

The Asheville Monday Night Contra Dance, every Monday. Dancing to a live band and caller! Contra dancing is fun and energetic. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a perfect evening for beginners as well as seasoned contra dancers.
Beginners are welcome, lesson 7:00pm–7:30pm. Contra dancing from 7:30pm–10:00pm. A waltz ends the night!
Safe dance for all! Families welcome. All ages, races & ethnicities, LGBTQIA+ welcome. No discrimination or bullying of any kind will be tolerated. Volunteers earn a free dance.
Bring a water bottle. Bring comfortable, smooth soled shoes to dance in. No partner required. No experience needed for the beginners’ lesson.
