Jazz Age Classic
Charleston
The Charleston remains one of the most joyful and recognisable dances of the Jazz Age, with an active social scene in London that keeps the 1920s spirit very much alive.
The Charleston remains one of the most joyful and recognisable dances of the Jazz Age, with an active social scene in London that keeps the 1920s spirit very much alive.
The Charleston is a dance originating from African American communities in the United States in the early twentieth century, gaining enormous popularity after the 1923 song "The Charleston" (James P. Johnson) featured in the Broadway musical Running Wild. It is characterised by its fast, outward heel kicks, syncopated "toes-in, heels-out" footwork and exuberant energy.
The dance can be performed solo, with a partner or in groups — a genuine point of difference from most other partner dances. In the 1920s, solo Charleston was considered somewhat scandalous in formal ballrooms, which led to the development of a "cleaned up" partnered version alongside it; both share the style's distinctive swinging character but use different footwork patterns.
Charleston is closely related to — and predates — the Lindy Hop: its rhythm and vocabulary (including "breakaway" variations) were absorbed directly into Lindy Hop's repertoire as swing dance developed through the late 1920s and 1930s, making Charleston a direct ancestor rather than a separate branch.
Charleston and tap dance both grew from the same African American rhythmic dance traditions of early twentieth-century America and share a real technical kinship in fast, percussive footwork.
Use the map below to find studios near you, or filter by area and audience to jump straight to our curated list of the best-rated Charleston studios in London further down the page.
Charleston
Charleston, Swing, Jazz & 1 more style
Charleston, Waltz, Foxtrot & 7 more styles
Charleston, Ballroom, Waltz & 18 more styles
Trial Available
Charleston, Jazz, Lindy Hop & 3 more styles
Charleston, Lindy Hop, Swing & 2 more styles
Trial Available
Charleston, Lindy Hop, Swing & 4 more styles
Charleston, Lindy Hop, Blues Dance & 2 more styles
Trial Available
Charleston, Lindy Hop, Swing & 4 more styles
Charleston, Lindy Hop
Charleston, Ballet, Tap Dance & 3 more styles
Because Charleston can genuinely be danced solo, it's one of the few partner-dance-adjacent styles you can learn and enjoy fully without ever needing a partner.
The fast kicks and syncopated footwork give a genuine, high-energy cardio workout from the very first class.
The distinctive "toes-in, heels-out" footwork sharpens coordination and rhythm in a way that carries directly into Lindy Hop and other swing styles.
Learning Charleston connects directly to Jazz Age history and African American dance culture, a dimension many students value alongside the movement itself.
Charleston's playful, personality-driven character rewards individual style and expression rather than precise, uniform technique.
Because Lindy Hop absorbed Charleston's vocabulary directly, learning Charleston first gives a genuine technical head start if you plan to move on to Lindy Hop.
Charleston is genuinely accessible from the first class — its solo option means there's no partner-dependent learning curve to navigate as a total newcomer.
Unlike most partner dances on this site, Charleston can be learned and danced fully solo, making it a rare option for dancers without a regular partner.
Charleston is a popular adult class format in London, valued for its high energy and playful, jazz-age character.
London's vintage and swing dance community embraces Charleston alongside Lindy Hop, giving access to an active social scene of balls, socials and themed events.
The fast kicks and continuous footwork give a genuine, high-energy cardio workout for dancers who want intensity with personality.
Themed Charleston sessions — often 1920s or Gatsby-styled — are a popular choice for hen parties and group celebrations in London.
London has a passionate vintage dance community that embraces Charleston alongside Lindy Hop and other swing styles. Regular social events, balls and workshops celebrate the 1920s and swing era throughout the year.
Dance Party Experience runs a dedicated Prohibition and Gatsby-themed Charleston session, popular for hen parties and group celebrations, taught by instructors who have performed with artists including Beyoncé, Little Mix and Dua Lipa, and in West End productions such as Grease and Dirty Dancing. Jazzbourne in New Cross teaches Charleston alongside Swing, Lindy Hop and jazz dance under instructor Sharon Davis. Learn to Swing Dance (formerly JazzMAD) teaches Charleston in both solo and partnered formats as part of its "authentic dances of the 1920s-50s" programme.
Charleston classes in London are taught both standalone and as part of broader swing dance programmes. Most beginners start with the solo Charleston footwork before moving on to partner work.
The dance is accessible and highly enjoyable from the first lesson, making it a popular choice for those new to social dance.
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows fast kicks works best — a flapper-style flared dress is a fun (never required) touch for themed sessions. Shoes with a smooth or suede sole make the footwork easier than heavy rubber-soled trainers.
For themed event bookings, some companies provide flapper accessories such as gloves as part of the experience — check with the specific provider.
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