Between February 17 and February 19, 2026, hundreds of primary school children will take to the stage at the Gala Theatre in Durham, County Durham, to showcase their hard work in a community dance festival. The event gives young pupils the chance to perform in a professional theatre while promoting physical activity and building their confidence through the creative arts.
The showcase is organised by the Durham & Chester-le-Street School Sports Partnership (SSP). It is a non-competitive event where schools from across the area prepare dance routines to selected songs to perform for their families and peers.
This annual tradition is a major event for local families. In previous years the festival has seen more than 1,000 children take part across the event’s sessions, highlighting its scale in the local school calendar.
Tickets are sold through the Gala Theatre box office, and organisers advise booking early as public ticket numbers per session are restricted. Performers and helpers are seated downstairs in the stalls while the paying public are usually seated in the circle (upstairs), which limits the number of spectator tickets available for each session.
The SSP, based at Durham Sixth Form Centre, works closely with teachers and PE leads to help students prepare for the three-day event. By giving pupils the opportunity to perform on a professional stage, the festival aims to provide a memorable experience that celebrates the achievements of local primary schools.
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