Princeton Country Dancers’ Contra Dance
2026-06-24 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-07-01 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08502, United States
Weekly contra dance on Wednesday nights, 8:00-10:30.

Milford NH Contra Dance
2026-06-26 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Milford NH Town Hall, 1 Union Square, Milford, NH, 03055, United States
The Milford contra dance happens every 4th Friday, unless the 4th Friday happens on Thanksgiving weekend or a Christmas weekend. Music is provided by a large 15+ member band, which allows anyone to sit in for just a single dance or the whole evening. Callers are usually local callers. The dance is usually large, with 100 or more in attendance. The dance is located in the Milford NH town hall, in the center of town. Entry is on either side of the building, but not the big front steps.
Under 10 free; students/seniors $5; adults $12

Phoenix 4th Friday Contra Dance
2026-06-26 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Phoenix) | Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Join us for our Fourth Friday 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 changes in dance schedule or location.
Pay what you can afford: $10 to $25 per person.

Friday Night Contra at Glen Echo, Maryland
2026-06-26 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.

Jax Contra
2026-06-27 18:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Trinity Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, FL, 1415 McDuff Ave S., Jacksonville, FL, 32205, United States
Jax Contra is a community dance. You don’t need experience to join us and even people who say, “I can’t dance,” will find themselves captivated, laughing, and enjoying themselves right along with people who have been dancing all of their lives!
No partner or experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. We love beginners; you are our future experienced dancers! There are always plenty of friendly people to dance with and changing dance partners with each dance is encouraged.
All dances feature live music and a caller who will walk you through each dance and then call it throughout. Our callers and bands will change from month to month, each offering their own unique style.
Just before the break, about halfway through the evening, the band will play a waltz, and then there is a refreshment break with snacks brought in by the dancers (optional). Please bring your own water bottle. Water fountain available for refills. Lots more contra dancing after the break, and another waltz to close out the night.

Chattanooga Contra Dance
2026-06-27 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, 1607 W 43rd St, Chattanooga, TN, 37409, United States
Come on out to the dance floor! Bring your soft-soled shoes and water bottle! We host callers and bands from across the East Coast! The beginner lesson is at 7 pm, and the dance is from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm!

Scissortail Contra Dance in Oklahoma City
2026-06-27 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | First Unitarian Church Oklahoma City – Daniel Hall, 600 Northwest 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73103, United States
Scissortail Contra Dance in Oklahoma City, second and fourth Saturdays. Check our Facebook or our website for more details!

Portland Country Dance Community 4th Saturdays Contra Dance
2026-06-27 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fulton Park Hall (L’Etoile French Immersion School), 68 SW Miles St, Portland, OR, 97219, United States
Mark your calendars now for the next Saturday night dance at Fulton Hall. Dances are called using gender-neutral terms.

7:00 pm newcomer/refresher lesson
7:30 pm dancing starts
10:30 dancing ends

Sliding scale $6-$20.
Some dancers head to a pub for “afters”—all are welcome!

CDK Contra & Square Dance
2026-06-27 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Oshtemo Grange, 3234 North 3rd St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, United States
Contra & Square Dance – Beginning Workshop 7pm, Dancing 7:30-10:30pm
Suggested donation $5-$20

Valley Contra Dance
2026-06-27 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | College Hill Moravian Church, 72 W Laurel St, Bethlehem, 18018, United States
We dance twice a month, 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Dance instruction at 7:00 PM
No partner or experience needed!
The moves in the dances are called by a caller, and the music is always live.
Please carry in clean soft-soled shoes for dancing, to protect the floor (and our reputation). Sneakers are usually fine. FREE large socks with treads are provided to cover your street shoes if necessary.
Sliding scale—pay what you wish. Suggested: $8 (student), $15 (friend of VCDS), $20+ (supporter). Children 12 and under accompanied by a paying adult FREE.
Special Pricing for Double Dances

Princeton Country Dancers' Combination Contra and English Country Dance
2026-06-27 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08502, United States
Combination Contra and English Country Dance every 4th Saturday, 7:30-10:30 (except February)

Richmond Saturday Evening Contra Dance, Sponsored by TADAMS
2026-06-27 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
Join us in Richmond, VA for a Saturday evening contra dance, hosted by TADAMS, at the West End Ballroom. Beginner lesson at 6:45pm, dance from 7:30-10:30pm. Please see our full website calendar for band and caller details. Admission is $15 non-members, $10 members & students, children under 13 are free.

Contra Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-06-27 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

Cumberland Dance Week
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-03 | Nacome Camp & Retreat Center, 3232 Sulphur Creek Rd, Pleasantville, TN, 37033, United States
An intergenerational folk dance and music camp. Includes 5 nights of dancing, 4 days of classes created for each dance group, air-conditioned lodging, and meals. Staff from around the country and opportunities for campers to engage with leadership.

BACDS American Week
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-03 | Quaker Center, 1000 Hubbard Gulch Road, Ben Lomond, CA, 95005, United States
Five days of contra dancing, music, and more in Ben Lomond, CA, in the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco.
It’s a dance camp with music! It’s a music camp with dance!

4th Sunday Monthly Albuquerque, NM Contra Dance
2026-06-28 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins St. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, United States
Everyone is welcome at contra dancing, no partner required. For more details about contra or FolkMADS organization, see our website at folkmads.org
All dances are Pay What You Want – suggested $10/person, $10-20/family.

Hayward CA Contra
2026-06-28 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hill and Valley Club, 1808 B Street, Hayward, CA, 94541, United States
Hayward Contra presents contra dancing on 2nd & 4th Sunday afternoons, 4pm-7pm in Hayward (SF Bay Area). Check the website for details, including how to find carpools or arrange for a pickup from BART (advanced registration).

Contra Dance in St Louis
2026-06-28 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
2026-06-29 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
2026-06-29 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.

Knoxville Monday Night Contra
2026-06-29 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN, 37916, United States
Contra dancing to live music every Monday evening in Knoxville, TN. The dance begins at 7:30 with a lesson for new folks starting at 7:00. Everyone welcome.

Monday Cincinnati Contra Dance
2026-06-29 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, OH, 45215, United States
Weekly Contra Dance at Wyoming Fine Arts Center, including waltz and maybe squares. Live music from many rotating bands. Many rotating callers using gendered or gender-free prompts. Teaching at 7 pm. Dance from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Louisville Contra Dance
2026-06-29 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Highlands Community Campus, 1228 E. Breckinridge Street, Louisville, KY, 40204, United States
Louisville, Kentucky’s weekly Monday night contra dance, always featuring live music from the Monday Night All Stars open band! Dancing is 8:00-10:30pm with a beginner’s lesson at 7:30pm. Waltzing and snacks available at the break. Check out our website for details on the caller and special performances. Open calling on 5th Mondays!

Techno Contra Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-06-29 20:00 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Last Monday of the Month 8-10:30pm
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).

Bloomington Contra Dance
2026-07-01 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Harmony School, 909 East 2nd Street, Bloomington, IN, 47401, United States
Please see our home page for the latest information.
Entrance fee: by sliding scale donation, with a suggested range from $3 to $20.
Striving Toward Safe Space Policy: We hope to create a dance in which everyone feels safe and welcome. Please take a moment to review our policy on respect and consent.
Membership: Membership is optional. Both members and non-members pay a sliding scale entrance fee; see above.
Volunteers are always welcome! Sign up with a dance coordinator for set-up or clean-up if you’d like! Many of us also go out for drinks and munchies after each Wednesday night dance.

Weekly Austin Contra Dance
2026-07-01 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Hancock Recreation Center, 811 East 41st St., Austin, TX, 78751, United States
A free weekly dance at Hancock Recreation Center, with music by the jam/pickup band, Local On-Call Orchestra (LOCO). We dance every week that Hancock Recreation Center is open. A brief beginners session is taught at 7:30, before the dance program begins. Dance ends about 9:30. Free parking lot.

We welcome beginners. If you can walk to a beat, you can contra dance! All dances are taught and called. No partner necessary. Dance either role – or both. Everyone is welcome.

Sober event. Family-friendly. LGBTQ+

Berkeley Contra or English Dance
2026-07-01 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Christ Church Berkeley, 2138 Cedar St., Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
BACDS presents a dance every Wednesday (contra on 1st/3rd/5th Wed 8pm-10:30pm; English on 2nd/4th Wed 7:45pm-10pm) at Christ Church East Bay, 2138 Cedar St. (near Oxford), Berkeley. Both series include an introductory lesson about 15-20 minutes before the dance start time.

Baltimore Folk Music Society Wednesday Contra Dance
2026-07-01 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Lovely Lane Church, 2200 Saint Paul St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States
The Baltimore Folk Music Society presents Contra Dancing on 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays, 8:00 to 10:30 p.m., in the hall at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.

Gender-free calling
No partner? No problem.
New dancer lesson every week at 7:30pm
Live music from local, regional, and national bands

Admission

$10 for members and affiliates (FSGW, ATDS)
$15 for non-members
Under 21 and full-time students with IDs: Free!

The Wednesday Contra Dance is sponsored in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
See our Contra dance FAQs for general information on Contra Dances.
Please see our Behavior Policy.

Flying Shoes First Friday Community Dance & Contra Dance
2026-07-03 18:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | First Church in Belfast, UCC, 8 Court Street, Belfast, ME, 04915, United States
Everyone is welcome at this two-part monthly dance series. From neophytes to lifelong participants, and so many other demographic variations, we all collaborate to make this community-building participatory arts program a joyful success. See you at the dance!
Schedule:

6:00 pm ~ Musicians Warmup ~ Tunes on the All Comers Band page
6:30-7:30 pm ~ Community Dance ~ Lisa Newcomb & Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band, led by Benjamin Foss & Willy Clemetson ~ Community Dance admission is $1 kids, $2 adults
8:00-11:00 pm ~ Contra Dance ~ We use the terms lark and robin to identify the dance roles. (More on roles here.) ~ Contra Dance Admission is $20 – $15 (a sliding scale lets us cover expenses and compensate performers; please pay as much as you can!)

Location: First Church in Belfast UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast (enter via Spring St)
Policies: See Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ ~ BFS programs are chem free (please be sober) ~ Stay home if you don’t feel well
Sponsors: Artisan Builders, Belfast Community Co-op, Colburn Shoe Store, Daisychain Farm, First National Bank, Grace Chiropractic, The Green Store, Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping, Thomas Fowler PE, Trillium Caterers, and Worth Real Estate
