Street Dance

What Is Street Dance?

Street dance is a broad term for styles that originated outside of formal dance studios — in the streets, parks, clubs and community spaces of the Bronx, Harlem and California from the late 1960s onward, partly because formal studios of the era excluded the African American and Latino communities creating it. The main foundational styles are breaking, popping, locking, waacking, voguing and house dance, each with distinct techniques and cultural contexts.

The term is also used more loosely to describe commercial urban choreography that draws from these roots, making it an important bridge between authentic street culture and the professional dance industry. Hip-hop, specifically, is one style within the street dance family rather than a synonym for the whole category — see our Hip-Hop guide for that distinction.

Street dance is defined by creativity, self-expression and community, with the cypher — an informal group dance circle — remaining central to many of its styles.

Street Dance vs Hip Hop

Street dance and hip-hop are often used interchangeably, but hip-hop is more accurately one specific style within the broader street dance family, which also includes breaking, popping, locking, waacking and house.

Benefits of Street Dance

Who Is Street Dance Suitable For?

Learning Street Dance in London

London has one of Europe's most established street dance scenes, with a long history of battles, jams and community events that connect practitioners across the city. The commercial success of street dance in television and music has brought it into mainstream studio culture while the grassroots scene continues to thrive.

Ealing Street Dance Academy runs age-banded classes from under-5s through to adults, with a dedicated breakdance and crew-training strand. PPAS Dance & Performing Arts School, teaching since 1998, folds street dance into its Dance Intensive Training programme for ages 12+ at BASE Dance Studios and runs a dedicated Street Dance Summer School. At Razzamataz Theatre School Hornchurch, co-director Jessie Chandler has performed against Diversity, the Britain's Got Talent-winning street dance crew, and the school teaches the commercial elements of street dance alongside musical theatre. PopGems Academy in Beckenham runs street dance as one of several performing arts strands taught out of Beckenham Dance Studios.

Street dance classes in London are among the most widely available in the city, offered at almost every major dance studio. Beginner sessions introduce fundamental groove, rhythm and foundational movements before progressing to more complex styles.

Many studios offer specialist classes in specific street styles such as popping, locking or waacking for those who want to go deeper into the culture.

Street Dance FAQ

• What's the difference between street dance and hip-hop? +
  Street dance is the umbrella term covering breaking, popping, locking, waacking, house and more; hip-hop is one specific style within that family, tied to hip-hop music and culture. See our Hip-Hop guide for the full comparison.
• What age can children start street dance? +
  Many London schools take children from around age 4–5 into beginner street dance classes, with programmes running right through to adult level.
• Do I need previous dance experience to start a street dance class? +
  No. Beginner classes teach fundamental groove and rhythm from scratch — no knowledge of specific styles like popping or locking is expected.
• What should I wear to a street dance class? +
  Loose, comfortable streetwear — joggers or tracksuit bottoms with a t-shirt — plus trainers with good grip and cushioning, especially for classes involving floor work or jumps.
• Where can I try a beginner street dance class in London? +
  Street dance is taught at general dance studios, performing arts schools and specialist urban dance academies right across the city — most run dedicated beginner sessions.
• Are street dance classes only for children, or is there something for adults too? +
  There are plenty of adult classes in London, ranging from fitness-focused sessions to more technical style-specific training for those who want to go deeper.
• How much does a street dance class cost in London? +
  Drop-in classes typically cost £8–£15. Youth performing arts programmes and structured courses are usually priced as a term fee rather than per session.
• What are the main street dance styles I might see taught separately? +
  Breaking, popping, locking, waacking and house dance are the main foundational styles, each with distinct techniques and cultural roots — many London studios also offer classes dedicated to just one of these.