Street Dance

What Is Street Dance?

Street dance is a broad term for styles that originated outside of formal dance studios — in streets, parks, clubs and community spaces. 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.

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.

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.

Major events including battle competitions and street dance showcases attract international participants to London each year.

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.