LA Dance Festival will take place in downtown Los Angeles from November 4 to November 8, 2026. The event brings together professional, amateur, Pro-Am, junior and youth dancers for several days of competition in International Latin and Ballroom, American Smooth and American Rhythm.
The festival opens with a gala evening on November 4, followed by a full programme of competitive dancing and entertainment. An official dance camp will also be held from November 1 to November 3 at Brooklyn Dancesport Club LA, giving dancers an opportunity to train before the competition begins.
Camp location
Location 15753 Stagg St, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Brooklyn Dancesport Club LA
Venue
The competition will be hosted at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles. Its central location provides convenient access to the city's main transport connections, restaurants and attractions while allowing competitors to stay close to the ballroom.
What to Expect
- International Latin and Ballroom competitions
- American Smooth and American Rhythm events
- Professional, amateur, Pro-Am, junior and youth categories
- International participants, champions and experienced adjudicators
- An opening gala featuring invited performers
- A structured multi-day competition schedule
- A competitive but welcoming festival atmosphere
Schedule
Wednesday — November 4, 2026
7:00 AM — Session 1
- Pro-Am Rhythm & Nightclub Solo & Formation events
- Pro-Am, Mixed Amateur and Student-Student Rhythm & Nightclub Single Dances — All Ages
- Pro-Am Rhythm & Nightclub Championships and Scholarships — All Ages
- Amateur Rhythm Multi-Dances
- Senior Rhythm Championships
7:00 PM — Session 2
- LADF Gala Dinner
- Professional Cabaret
- Amateur Cabaret
- Jack & Jill Professional Smooth
- Jack & Jill Professional Rhythm
- Professional Show
- Social Dancing
Thursday — November 5, 2026
7:00 AM — Session 3
- Pro-Am Smooth Solo & Formation events
- Pro-Am, Mixed Amateur and Student-Student Smooth Single Dances — All Ages
- Pro-Am Smooth Championships and Scholarships — All Ages
- Amateur Smooth Multi-Dances
- Senior Smooth Championships
7:00 PM — Session 4
- Professional Rising Star Smooth
- Professional Rising Star Rhythm
- Professional Rising Star Ballroom
- Professional Rising Star Latin
- Top American Style Awards
Friday — November 6, 2026
7:00 AM — Session 5
- Pro-Am Latin Solo & Formation events
- Pro-Am, Mixed Amateur and Student-Student Latin Single Dances — All Ages
- Pro-Am Latin Championships and Scholarships — All Ages
- Amateur Latin Multi-Dances
- Senior Latin Championships
7:00 PM — Session 6
- Under 21 Ballroom Championship
- Under 21 Rhythm Championship
- Open Amateur Smooth Championship
- Open Amateur Latin Championship
- Professional Ballroom Championship
- Professional Rhythm Championship
Saturday — November 7, 2026
7:00 AM — Session 7
- Pro-Am Ballroom Solo & Formation events
- Pro-Am, Mixed Amateur and Student-Student Ballroom Single Dances — All Ages
- Pro-Am Ballroom Championships and Scholarships — All Ages
- Amateur Ballroom Multi-Dances
- Senior Ballroom Championships
7:00 PM — Session 8
- Under 21 Smooth Championship
- Under 21 Latin Championship
- Open Amateur Ballroom Championship
- Open Amateur Rhythm Championship
- Professional Smooth Championship
- Professional Latin Championship
- 2026 LADF Top Awards
- Top International Style Awards
Sunday — November 8, 2026
7:00 AM — Session 9
- Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth and Solo Stars International Ballroom and American Smooth Single Dances
- Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth American Smooth Novice, Pre-Champ and Championships
- Junior & Youth International Ballroom Novice, Pre-Champ and Championship events
- Pre-Teen & Junior International Ballroom Championships
- Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth and Solo Stars International Latin and American Rhythm Single Dances
- Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth American Rhythm Novice, Pre-Champ and Championships
- Junior & Youth International Latin Novice, Pre-Champ and Championship events
- Pre-Teen & Junior International Latin Championships
- Pre-Teen Grand Slam Latin Championship
- Junior Grand Slam Latin Championship
- Pre-Teen Grand Slam Ballroom Championship
- Junior Grand Slam Ballroom Championship
- Junior & Youth Smooth Championship
Prize Awards
Top Teachers Awards
Top Teachers
| Placement | Amount | Minimum Entries |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $5,000 | 250 |
| 2nd | $4,000 | 200 |
| 3rd | $3,000 | 175 |
| 4th | $2,000 | 150 |
| 5th | $1,000 | 100 |
| 6th | $900 | 100 |
| 7th | $800 | 75 |
| 8th | $700 | 75 |
| 9th | $600 | 50 |
| 10th | $500 | 50 |
Top Teacher Amateur
| Placement | Amount | Minimum Entries |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $500 | 100 |
| 2nd | $300 | 75 |
| 3rd | $150 | 50 |
Professional Awards
Professional Rising Star Divisions
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $450 |
| 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $300 |
| 5th | $200 |
| 6th | $150 |
Professional Open Divisions
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,500 |
| 2nd | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $700 |
| 4th | $500 |
| 5th | $400 |
| 6th | $300 |
Professional Cabaret
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $600 |
| 2nd | $500 |
| 3rd | $400 |
| 4th | $300 |
| 5th | $200 |
| 6th | $100 |
Pro-Am Scholarship Awards
Pro-Am Open Scholarships (A, B, C, Senior)
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $350 |
| 2nd | $250 |
| 3rd | $200 |
| 4th | $150 |
| 5th | $100 |
| 6th | $50 |
Pro-Am Closed Scholarships (A, B, C, Senior)
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $200 |
| 2nd | $150 |
| 3rd | $100 |
| 4th | $75 |
| 5th | $50 |
| 6th | $50 |
Amateur Scholarship Awards
Under 21 International Latin & Ballroom Scholarships
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $150 |
| 2nd | $100 |
| 3rd | $75 |
| 4th | $75 |
| 5th | $50 |
| 6th | $50 |
Pre-Teen Championships — Latin & Ballroom
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $100 |
| 2nd | $75 |
| 3rd | $75 |
| 4th | $50 |
| 5th | $50 |
| 6th | $50 |
Open Amateur International Latin & Ballroom
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $400 |
| 3rd | $300 |
| 4th | $200 |
| 5th | $150 |
| 6th | $100 |
Open Amateur American Rhythm & Smooth
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $300 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $150 |
| 4th | $100 |
| 5th | $50 |
| 6th | $50 |
Junior I, Junior II & Youth Championships
| Placement | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | $200 |
| 2nd | $150 |
| 3rd | $125 |
| 4th | $100 |
| 5th | $75 |
| 6th | Not provided |
Registration
Registration for LA Dance Festival is currently open through the official event website, with separate entry forms available for different age groups and competition divisions.
No final registration deadline has been announced. Dancers should submit their entries early and review the relevant forms carefully, especially when arranging accommodation or participating in the preceding dance camp.
Travel & Accommodation
The Westin Bonaventure is located in downtown Los Angeles and can be reached from Los Angeles International Airport by car, taxi, rideshare or public transport.
Competitors travelling from outside the region should arrange flights and accommodation well in advance. The official hotel booking deadline is October 6, 2026, although rooms may become unavailable earlier.
Notes
Competition schedules, entry requirements, packages and rules may be updated before the event.
Always check the official LA Dance Festival website and social media channels for the latest information before booking travel or completing registration.