Bristol Swing Fiesta 28-30 August 2026
A cosy WSDC event in the heart of the city, featuring focused workshops, a light competition schedule, early parties, and Bristol’s vibrant cafés, restaurants, and city life right on your doorstep.
Bristol Swing Fiesta takes place at Bristol Beacon, a beautiful performing arts venue in the city centre. Our staff line-up brings together international and local instructors, creating a unique blend of world-class teaching and the warm, welcoming atmosphere the Bristol community is known for. Bristol Westies love to learn, dance, and connect - and you’ll feel that from the moment you arrive.
The location couldn’t be better. Just moments from the Harbourside, you’ll be spoilt for choice with sights, food, drink, and green spaces. The city is easy to get around - perfectly walkable, or you can hop on a scooter to explore further.
Now in its 4th edition, the main event offers three days of workshops, social dancing, and World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) Jack & Jill competitions. We don’t offer auditions for workshops.
As a summer event, you can expect warm weather, but don’t worry, the main ballroom is air-conditioned.
BSF is known for its relaxed, fun atmosphere with a strong focus on learning and social dancing, while still offering an opportunity to compete - an essential part of any WSDC event.
Jack & Jill competitions are run in accordance with WSDC rules, which you can review here: https://www.worldsdc.com/rules/wsdc-points-registry-rules/
We offer the following WSDC Jack & Jill divisions: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All-Star, and Sophisticated.
We want everyone attending Bristol Swing Fiesta to have a safe and enjoyable experience. To ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone, all attendees are required to follow our event code of conduct. This covers: Key Contacts, Respect & Inclusivity, Consent & Boundaries, Behaviour & Safety, Incident & Reporting, Food & Alcohol, Under 18s, Personal Belongings, Violations, Photography and Videography policy.
2026 Teaching Staff
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Robert Royston
Robert is an 8-time Swing Dance World Champion and 6-time Country World Champion, with a dance career spanning back to the late 1980s. His experience covers many styles, including West Coast Swing, Country, Ballroom, Hustle, and Salsa.
He brings an incredible depth of knowledge in dance, movement, and connection.
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Leo Lorenzo & Fernanda Dubiel
France meets Brazil!
This dynamic couple brings vibrant energy and passion to their WCS teaching, shaped by influences from multiple dance styles. Fernanda has roots in ballet and Brazilian ballroom dances, while Léo has broadened his dance experience through Zouk, Contemporary, Salsa, & Bachata.
They both compete in the Champion division.
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Stefanie Tschom
Stefanie is based in Berlin. As a teacher, she is known for her structured yet playful approach to learning. She blends technical precision with artistic exploration, ensuring that students develop a strong foundation while feeling empowered to express their individuality.
She also has a versatile background in ballet, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom dancing.
Stefanie has reached the Champion division.
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Florian Hamm
Florian is based in Berlin. His teaching style is analytical and structured, and you can expect a focus on creativity, communication skills and technique.
In addition to his partner dance experience in multiple styles, he studied violin and piano at the conservatory in Eisenstadt, is undertaking a 630+ hour yoga mentorship, and regularly attends ballet classes to refine his movement.
Florian competes in the All Star division.
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Ellen Dacombe
Bristol babe and a much loved local teacher!
Ellen is a passionate West Coast Swing dancer and instructor with a Master’s in Somatic Dance and Dance Science. Her teaching style focuses on blending technique, creativity, and developing dancers' individuality through solo drills and intuitive movement. She strives to create an engaging and supportive environment for students of all levels.
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Henry & Julia Leonard
Julia and Henry love to teach, perform and social dance all night long. As teachers, Julia brings her classic training and passion for dissecting technique, complemented by Henry’s enthusiasm for connection and creativity.
Together, they are known for delving into details while also providing insights into mastering the latest champion-level moves.
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Orhiane Dang
Orhiane is based in France. With a background as a dancer, musician, and martial arts enthusiast, she offers a holistic and organic approach to movement, blending technique, musicality, and expression.
Known for her contagious energy and kindness, she creates an inspiring and supportive learning environment, driven by a genuine passion for sharing and connection.
Orhiane competes in the All Star division.
Key Info
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We’re keeping things small with limited tickets available. To maximise everyone’s learning and dancing opportunities, we role balance (leader + follower) the event.
Early Access
Groups of 5+ role-balanced couples can register from 30 March 2026.
General Registration
Open from 1 April 2026. Please register under your primary role.
Role-balanced registrations will be prioritised. Solo registrations will be added to a waitlist.
Register: https://forms.gle/QioSvXyhWBRcYnHLA
Pricing:
We offer one full pass only, which includes workshops, Thursday to Sunday parties, and the opportunity to participate in Jack & Jill WSDC competitions.
Super Early Bird — £160 (tickets 1–125) - SOLD OUT
Early Bird — £170 (tickets 126–200) - SOLD OUT
Normal Bird — £180 (tickets 201–275) - AVAILABLE
Advanced (WSDC) — £110 (fixed price while availability lasts)
All Stars (WSDC) - contact us!
£10 international discount
Optional Extras:
Jack & Jill entry fee is separate.
Intensive with Robert Royston + dance on 31st August 2026 (£60 per person). Fully booked! You can join the waitlist by emailing us at: bristolcityswing@gmail.com
BSF Merch!
Cancellation & Transfer Policy
Passes are non-refundable. However, you may sell your pass to another dancer in the same role.
If you do so, please email us and include the new dancer’s name and email address, copying them into the message.
The deadline for transferring a pass is 25 August 2026, as we will be busy preparing for the event from that date onward.
Due to venue availability, we are only able to run this event one year at a time, so we are unable to roll over tickets to a future year.
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Bristol Beacon is an elegant and versatile venue that combines Victorian architectural beauty with unbeatable sound quality.
The main event is held in the Lantern Hall, and we will have a second floor in the stalls (“balloon”) bar, which is on the same floor.
For daytime levelled workshops and the Robert Royston Intensive, we have secured an additional nearby air conditioned venue - Bristol Folk House.
Addresses:
Bristol Beacon (main venue)
Trenchard Street
BS1 5AR
Bristol Folk House (pre-party & Inter+ workshops)
40a Park St
BS1 5JG
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There are multiple hotels and Airbnbs close to the venue. If you search using the postcode BS1 5AR, you will find the closest options.
For potential discounts, visit the Bristol Beacon website: https://bristolbeacon.org/plan-your-visit/where-to-stay/
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By plane
25 minutes from Bristol Airport
2 hours from London Heathrow
By train (where possible we recommend you travel by public transport)
Nearest station is Bristol Temple Meads. From there, it’s 10 minutes by taxi or uber (or a 20 minute walk) to the venue, or
Bristol Parkway Station (fastest train from London). From there, it’s 20 minutes by taxi or uber to the venue.
By car
There is no onsite parking.
There is paid parking nearby in multi-storey car parks.
There is free street parking about a 20 minute walk away from Friday at 5pm until Monday.
Bristol has a clean air zone and charges may apply to your vehicle. We encourage you to use the park-and-ride scheme.
By bus
There are frequent buses from Bristol Airport and Temple Meads station into the city centre (close to the venue).
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The venue is in central Bristol and has it’s own cafe ‘Bristol Loaf’ on site. There are also plenty of fabulous cafes, bars, restaurants and grocery stores within a 5-10 minute walk to suit all budgets.
BSF 2026 Tentative Schedule & Workshop Levels
Donate for a chance to win!
Help plant 1000 trees & a chance to win tickets for New Year's Swing Fling 2025
This Bristol Swing Fiesta, we're aiming to plant 1000 trees - and you could win tickets to New Year’s Swing Fling 2025 just by taking part!
How it works:
Every £5 donation = 1 raffle ticket to win NYSF 2025 tickets!
Two ways to donate:
Online (for £15+ donations):
Click “Gift more impact” and select your trees
Don’t forget to add your name in the Display Name - that’s how we enter you in the draw!
In person (for under £15):
Visit our stand at Bristol Swing Fiesta and donate directly.
Let’s dance, donate, and make a difference!
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about Bristol Swing Fiesta 2026, please get in touch.