Ecstatic Dance Festival UK 2026
A sober summer gathering of dance, music, nature and wellbeing
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Full Festival: Wed 22 – Sun 26 July 2026
Weekend Pass: Fri 24 – Sun 26 July 2026
Gillingham, North Dorset
about ecstatic dance festival uk 2026
The Experience
Ecstatic Dance Festival is a conscious gathering devoted to movement, music, nature connection and down-to-earth wellbeing. It’s a place to dance freely, rest deeply, and reconnect with what’s true in your body — supported by a respectful, sober container and a warm, open-hearted community.
Whether you’re new to ecstatic dance or already steeped in embodied practice, you’ll find a programme that’s both nourishing and alive: guided movement, live music, yoga, breathwork, bioenergetics, sound, saunas, shared meals, campfires and plenty of space to integrate in your own way.
Tickets Available
Ecstatic Dance Festival Uk 2026
What You'll experience
Dance & music
Rest & Intergration
Sound journeys, gong baths and deep rest practices
Saunas and cold plunges, with optional sauna whisking sessions
Time built in for quiet, naps, walks, and doing less
Movement & Embodiment
Yoga, active meditations, trance dance rituals
Bioenergetics and grounding practices
Guided movement explorations to support expression and release
Nature & Community
Campfires, woodland air, barefoot earth time
Shared meals (we eat together)
Spaces to chat, sing, play, hang out on sofas, and feel held by the village
Ecstatic Dance At the heart
This festival is anchored in the dance floor; a place to meet yourself honestly through rhythm and movement.
You’ll be guided through multiple ecstatic dance sessions across the festival, each with its own tone and arc. Some are fierce and playful. Some are tender and inward. Some are pure sweat-and-smiles. And because we’re in nature, the space itself becomes part of the music: open skies, trees, sunsets, campfire glow.
Live music with URUBU Dance Tribe brings a direct, human pulse: the kind you feel in the chest before you even think about it.
Rest & Relaxation
Transformation doesn’t only happen through intensity. It also happens through rest.
Alongside dance and workshops, you’ll have access to:
- Sauna sessions and cold plunges
- Sound journeys and gong baths
- Quiet spaces to lie down, integrate, and simply be
Bodywork and massage are available as optional extras (booked and paid directly with therapists during the festival). Most sessions take place in shared wellness spaces with curtains, with limited private rooms.
ecstatic dance festival uk 2026
The Container
We care about the culture as much as the programme.
Ecstatic Dance Festival UK is:
- Alcohol-free and drug-free
- Rooted in consent, respect and self-responsibility
- Welcoming to first-timers, solo travellers, and a wide range of bodies and ages (18+)
You’re invited to move how you wish, rest when you need, and relate with care. If you come alone, you won’t be the only one — many people arrive solo and leave feeling part of something.
ecstatic dance festival uk 2026
Practical Information
Location & travel
The Leela Centre, Thorngrove House
Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RE
(10 minutes by car from Gillingham station)
It’s an easy journey from London — roughly 2 hours direct by train, then a short taxi ride (typically under £10 one way). We’ll share local taxi details closer to the time.
Parking is free on site. We strongly encourage lift shares to reduce cars and make the arrival gentler on the land.
A WhatsApp group for travel coordination (car shares / taxis / train arrivals) will be shared a few weeks before the festival.
What Your Ticket Includes
- All workshops, ecstatic dance sessions and cacao ceremonies
- A camping spot (bring your own camping gear)
- Car parking space
- All meals (3 per day: 12 meals full festival / 6 meals weekend)
- Sauna sessions (small sauna towels provided)
- Unlimited teas and coffee available in the main house
- Filtered drinking water refill access
What's Not Included
To help you plan with ease, there are a few things that aren’t included in your festival ticket. Travel to and from the site isn’t covered, and any bodywork or massage sessions are booked and paid directly with the practitioners during the festival. You’ll also find a lovely on-site café offering extra treats — think good coffee, cake, and other tasty creations — along with personal snacks you may wish to bring for in-between moments. Everything essential is taken care of; these are simply optional extras to enjoy if and when you feel called.
Food Notes
Meals are vegetarian/vegan, clearly labelled, and the kitchen can usually support common requirements such as gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan. The venue may not be able to cater for more specialised diets — please share dietary needs when booking.
There’s also a café/healthy bar open at certain times for extras like coffee and sweet treats.
Accommodation & Upgrades
Camping is included in your ticket. If you’d like more comfort, upgrades are available (from 20 January, via the venue booking link).
Options include:
- Campervan space (from £10/night + power if needed)
- Shared dorms / deluxe dorms
- Bell tents (standard or deluxe)
- Private rooms and private pods
Please note: Weekend accommodation may be limited, as priority is given to full-festival attendees.
Example daily rhythm (subject to change)
To help you picture the flow, here’s a sample day:
- Morning: gentle active meditation or yoga
- Breakfast
- Late morning: gathering, ecstatic dance, sharings, workshops
- Lunch + dishes help
- Afternoon: sauna / bodywork / workshops / rest time
- Dinner + dishes help
- Evening: ecstatic dance or workshops
- Late: campfire / sauna / music / quiet hangout
The exact schedule will vary — we keep some flexibility so the festival can breathe.
Ecstatic Dance festival uk 2026
Pricing & how booking works
You can secure your ticket with a £20 deposit on Eventbrite to lock in your price. The remaining balance is due by the end of March 2026 via a payment link we’ll email closer to the time.
Ticket prices
- Super Earlybird: £400
- Earlybird: £440
- Regular: £480
- Weekend only: £260
(Weekend ticket holders: upgraded accommodation not guaranteed.)
After booking, please check your confirmation email (including spam). You don’t need to print anything — we’ll check you in by name.
Testimonials
See What Our Past Participants Had to say
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It was quite possibly the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me.
I felt it was such a time of growth for me. I learned so much about connection with others and myself. Love and respect for all. I have returned home more patient, more accepting, less uptight. I have learned to breathe. I feel more powerful as a human.
Caroline
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Neil
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Something which felt so rapturous were the morning dances under the sun, before we met in our pod groups. I frequently went into states of bliss and awe at what felt like a profound honouring of the natural world. Even now as I write it feels difficult to express the feeling of the ‘ecstaticness’ that was experienced. So I am grateful for the timely sonic sounds that you played and the space to dance bare foot under the sun.
Georgie
ecstatic dance festival uk 2026
Co-create with us (applications)
We welcome applications to co-create this year’s festival (apply by 1 April 2026).
We’re inviting:
- Ecstatic dance DJs, musicians, facilitators, performers, yoga and sound practitioners
- Bodyworkers / massage therapists
Ecstatic Dance Festival UK 2026
If your body is asking for wide skies, deep music, clean connection and real rest — this is your invitation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to the Ecstatic Dance Festival UK, it’s completely natural to have a few questions. This space is intentionally gentle, welcoming, and open to all bodies and levels of experience. If you’re still unsure or simply want to connect, you’re always welcome to reach out. We’re a friendly bunch, and we’re happy to support you.
Yes. No previous experience is needed. The space is welcoming and guidance is provided throughout.
Absolutely. Many people come for their first dance here. There’s no choreography and no expectation to dance in any particular way.
Absolutely, many people do. There are plenty of natural connection points, and also plenty of space to be quiet.
Not this year. This festival is for adults 18+ only.
No — pets aren’t permitted on site.
Tickets are non-refundable, but you’re welcome to transfer or resell your ticket to someone else. Please email us the replacement name and email so we can update registration.