International Dance Day is on Thursday, April 29, 2027, and it falls on April 29 every year. It celebrates dance in every form, from ballet and hip-hop to folk and ballroom. The day’s message is simple: dance is a common language across borders.
When Is International Dance Day?
It’s always April 29, the birthday of French dancer and choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre. It’s also called World Dance Day and is marked by dance companies, schools and studios worldwide.
Who Started International Dance Day?
The Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) created it in 1982. The ITI is a performing arts organization that works in partnership with UNESCO.
Who was Jean-Georges Noverre?
Noverre was born in Paris on April 29, 1727. ITI calls him “the creator of modern ballet.”
In 1760, he published Lettres sur la danse et sur les ballets, which Britannica says brought major reforms to ballet production. He argued that dance should tell a story through dramatic expression, not just show off technique. He called this approach “ballet d’action.”
His first big success was Les Fêtes chinoises in 1754, which the actor David Garrick brought to London in 1755. From 1760 to 1767, he worked in Stuttgart, creating story ballets such as Médée et Jason.
In 1776, he became ballet master of the Paris Opéra. He died in 1810, but his idea that dance can carry drama still shapes ballet today.
The yearly message
Each year, an outstanding choreographer or dancer writes a message that’s shared around the world. The ITI chooses the author with its Dance Committee and the World Dance Alliance. Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite wrote the 2026 message.
What Is the Purpose of the Day?
To celebrate dance and its universality, crossing political, cultural and ethnic barriers, the ITI says. It brings people together through a shared language that needs no translation.
The day also honors the dancers, teachers and choreographers who keep traditions alive. For many communities, dance holds history, ritual and identity, from wedding dances to festival processions.
How to Celebrate International Dance Day
- Take a class: many studios offer free or drop-in classes this week. Try a style you’ve never done.
- Read the message: find this year’s official message on the International Dance Day website.
- See a performance: check local dance companies, colleges and community centers for shows during the week.
- Learn a folk dance: try a dance from your family’s heritage, or one from another culture. Community centers often host cultural dance groups.
- Dance at home: put on a playlist and dance with kids, roommates or on your own. Even ten minutes counts.
- Support dancers: buy a ticket, donate to a dance company or share a local dancer’s work.
- Watch a story ballet: see how dancers tell a plot without words, the idea Noverre championed.
- Film a dance challenge: learn a short routine with friends and share it with the #InternationalDanceDay tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is International Dance Day a UN day?
Not officially. It was created by the ITI, which works in partnership with UNESCO, but it isn’t on the UN’s list of international days.
Is World Dance Day the same as International Dance Day?
Yes. Both names refer to the April 29 celebration created by the ITI in 1982.
Do I need dance experience to take part?
No. The day is for everyone. Beginner classes, social dances, line dancing at a party and dancing at home all count.