Yearly
Shaggin' Utrecht Exchange
18-19-20 SEPTEMBER 2026
PARTIES, TASTERS, CITY ADVENTURES & MORE
Lace up those dance shoes and get ready to groove to the pulsating rhythms. Shaggin’ Utrecht community eagerly awaits your vibrant presence!
Update: Registration opens on May 25, 2026.
Welcome!
Spend your late summer in the Domstad, a place where there’s plenty to experience.
This year, we’re doing things a little differently. We’re organizing a Shag exchange, where we’ll show you the best Utrecht has to offer.
What to expect:
- 3 parties, 3 cozy venues, dancing in the streets, and a tea dance with live music.
- Bands: Mokum Stompers, Swing aan de Werf, The Swing Rhythm Club and Pierre et les Optimistes.
- 3 Shag workshops and the special “The Collegiate Cats Choreo” workshop, all led by local teachers.
- Explore downtown Utrecht, climb the Dom Tower, cruise along the canals, and a Sunday lunch.
Haven’t danced Collegiate Shag before?
We are organizing a absolute Shag beginner’s workshop on Saturday, September 19 at TivoliVredenburg. You’ll learn some basic moves and combinations to get started.
Tickets
Get your Full Party Pass for the entire weekend. You can also get a Saturday-only pass or a Single-party pass.
Videos
During past editions of Shaggin’ Utrecht, we organized various dance classes and parties. Watch the videos to get a taste of the festival.
3 PARTIES and a TEA DANCE
FRIDAY PARTY
Friday evening, we dance at De Vereeniging in the centre of Utrecht. This location has a bar area and a separate hall for dancing. It’s a 10-minute walk from Utrecht Central Station.
We’ll start with Shag taster given by local teachers. The Mokum Stompers band will be playing throughout the evening, and a DJ will provide music during the breaks.
TIMES
19:00 – 20:00: Doors open and check-in
20:00 – 21:00: Taster by Panka & Tillie
21:00 – 00:00: Party, live music by Mokum Stompers
00:00 – 01:00: Party with DJ
LOCATION
Venue: De Vereeniging
Address: Mariaplaats 14, 3511 LJ Utrecht
BAND
The Mokum Stompers are a collective of musicians in Amsterdam with a deep love for the jazz music of the 1920s. The band consists of an international group of musicians—with members from the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States—some of whom are already familiar faces on the international trad jazz scene. About a hundred years later, the band brings the music of musicians and bands such as Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers, Jabbo Smith, and Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven back to life with a mix of ragtime, blues, and stomping hot jazz!
SATURDAY TEA DANCE
Saturday afternoon, there will be Tea Dance in the city centre at TivoliVredenburg. We’ll start with a Collegiate Shag workshop for absolute beginners. After the workshop, the DJ will start the music and we’ll open the dance floor to all dancers and swing dance styles.
This activity is open for dancers without a festival pass.
TIMES
13:30 – 14:00: Doors open
14:00 – 16:00: Tea Dance with DJ
LOCATION
Venue: Vredenburg Open Stage, TivoliVredenburg
Address: Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht
SATURDAY PARTY
Saturday evening, we dance at Het Oude Tolhuys in the east part of Utrecht. This venue has a restaurant, a private patio, and a dance hall with a bar. Take the bus or ride your bike to the venue.
We’ll start with a Shag taster given by local teachers. The Swing Rhythm Club band will be playing throughout the evening, and a DJ will provide music during the breaks.
TIMES
19:00: Doors open and check-in
20:00 – 21:00: Taster by Esther & Andrew
21:00 – 01:00: Party, live music by The Swing Rhythm Club
LOCATION
Venue: Het Oude Tolhuis
Address: Weg naar Rhijnauwen 13-15, 3584 AD Utrecht
BAND
The Swing Rhythm Club is based in Utrecht and consists of talented musicians from all corners of the world. They embody vintage glamour and infuse every performance with the infectious energy of jazz and swing music.
BAND MEMBERS
Natalia Rueda – Lead vocals
Marieke Kooymans – Harmonies
Alexis Michaud – Lead guitar
Iggy Fornerino – Bass
Jackson Moore – Sax
Jasm Sison – Keys
SUNDAY PARTY
We’ll start with a Shag taster given by local teachers. Pierre et les Optimistes band will be playing throughout the afternoon, and a DJ will provide music during the breaks.
TIMES
13:30 – 14:00: Doors open and check-in
14:00 – 15:00: Taster by Federico & Giorgia
15:00 – 18:00: Party, live music by Pierre et les Optimistes
LOCATION
Venue: Vechtclub XL
Address: Europalaan 2b, 3526 KS, Utrecht
BAND
Pierre et les Optimistes play sweet songs, swinging tunes, sunshine vibes and summer grooves! Their personal vision of global music is inspired by Classic Jazz and Jazz Manouche, French.
Wether with original songs or all-time classics they aspire to share joy with the world.
Based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, they have developed an international following throughout the last years.
BAND MEMBERS
Pierre Laernoes – guitar & vocals
Myrthe van de Weetering – violin & vocals & double bass
Vincent Arp – double bass & tres
WORKSHOPS
FRIDAY TASTER
Date: September 18
Level: Intermediate/advanced
Teachers: Panka & Tillie
Time
19:00 – 20:00: Doors open
20:00 – 21:00: Shag workshop
Local teachers will provide a themed class for intermediate/advanced Shag dancers. Details about the class will be shared soon.
LOCATION
Venue: De Vereeniging
Address: Mariaplaats 14, 3511 LJ Utrecht
SATURDAY TASTER
Date: September 19
Level: Intermediate/advanced
Teachers: Esther & Andrew
Time
19:30 – 20:00: Doors open
20:00 – 21:00: Shag workshop
Local teachers will provide a themed class for intermediate/advanced Shag dancers. Details about the class will be shared soon.
LOCATION
Venue: Het Oude Tolhuis
Address: Weg naar Rhijnauwen 13-15, 3584 AD Utrecht
BEGINNERs WORKSHOP
Date: September 19
Level: (absolute) beginner
Teachers: Ilja and Yuliya
Time
12:30 – 13:00: Doors open
13:00 – 14:00: Beginners’ workshop
LET’S GO FAST!
Have you never danced Collegiate Shag before, or do you already dance other swing dances and are you curious about fast-paced dancing and having fun on the dance floor? Then join the Shag beginners’ workshop.
After the workshop, you can put your new moves in to practice on the dance floor.
There are a limited number of spots available for this activity.
LOCATION
Venue: Vredenburg Open Stage, TivoliVredenburg
Address: Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht
THE COLLEGIATE CATS CHOREO
Date: September 19
Level: Intermediate/advanced
Teachers: Panka & Tillie
Time
10:30 – 11:00: Doors open
11:00 – 14:00: The Collegiate Cats Choreo
Learn ‘The Collegiate Cats Choreo’ with local teachers Panka and Tillie. You’ll have a fun challenge as you learn this full song partnered routine and then have the opportunity to dance it together at the Saturday party.
Requirements
To get the most out of this workshop, you need to be confident with classic shag shapes and rhythms such as sailor step, tandem, collegiate kicks and footwork changes.
Come alone or with a partner. This routine is designed to be danced socially and we will be changing partners during both the workshop and the choreography.
LOCATION
Venue: Vredenburg Open Stage, TivoliVredenburg
Address: Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht
SUNDAY TASTER
Date: September 20
Level: Intermediate/advanced
Teachers: Federico & Giorgia
Time
13:30 – 14:00: Doors open
14:00 – 15:00: Shag workshop
Local teachers will provide a themed class for intermediate/advanced Shag dancers. Details about the class will be shared soon.
LOCATION
Venue: Vechtclub XL
Address: Europalaan 2b, 3526 KS, Utrecht
CITY ADVENTURES
DANCING IN THE STREETS
13:00 – 14:00: Live music by Swing aan de Werf
For those who want to dance outdoors, we’ve asked the local band Swing aan de Werf to perform in the historic downtown area.
LOCATION
BAND
CLIMB THE DOM TOWER
Date: September 19
Time: 16:00 – 17:00: Visit the Dom Tower
The iconic Dom Tower is the symbol of Utrecht and. Discover the story behind the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. After climbing 465 steps, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Utrecht.
You will climb the tower as part of a guided group. There will be specific times when you can visit the Dom Tower. The times will be announced shortly before the exchange.
The entrance ticket for the Dom Tower is in the Full Party Pass and the Saturday Pass. There are 20 spots available for this activity.
LOCATION
BOAT TOUR
Date: September 20
11:00 – 12:00: Boat tour
Discover the historic beauty of Utrecht on a boat tour starting from the boarding point at Hoog Catharijne. Admire the enchanting Oudegracht, the canal houses, and the Dom Tower while sitting on a tour boat.
A digital guide will get you on a journey through the city in eight different languages. There will be specific times when you can join the boat tour. The times will be announced shortly before the exchange.
The ticket for the boat tour is optional and can be booked during registration. There are 20 spots available for this activity.
LOCATION
LUNCH ON SUNDAY
This Sunday, we’re organizing a lunch where we can get together and start the day in a relaxed way. If enough people sign up, we’ll look for a cozy spot in downtown Utrecht.
The ticket for the lunch is optional and can be booked during registration. There are 15 spots available for this activity.
EXPLORE THE City
There’s plenty to do in Utrecht. Walk from the central station into the city to Vredenburgplein. From there, you can go in any direction. For example, head toward the Oudegracht, Neude, or Voorstraat for cozy cafés, some shops, or a seat for food a the waterside.
If you want to explore a bit further than most people, you can walk along the canal to Twijnstraat or Lepelenburg Park.
INFORMATION
€120 – FULL PARTY PASS
What’s included in the pass:
- 3 parties with DJs and live music
- 3 tasters by local teachers
- Routine workshop
- Dancing in the streets with live music
- Tea dance with DJ and live music
- Dom tower visit (limited number of spots available)
OPTIONAL
- Boat tour
- Sunday lunch
- Merch
SELLING/BUYING YOUR PASS?
Can’t come anymore? You’re free to sell your pass but please let us know so we can change the name in the list!
Are you buying a pass from someone?
If you don’t know them, please check with us if they’re legit. Beware of scammers! NEVER buy your pass from someone on social media who typically just comment “ik heb 3 kaartjes te koop” and always challenge their shag knowledge to see if they’re actual dancers.
€90 – SATURDAY PASS
What’s included in the pass:
- 1 party with DJs and live music
- 1 taster by local teachers
- Routine Workshop
- Dancing in the streets with live music
- Tea Dance with DJ and live music
- Dom tower visit (limited number of spots available)
OPTIONAL
- Boat tour
- Merch
SELLING/BUYING YOUR PASS?
Can’t come anymore? You’re free to sell your pass but please let us know so we can change the name in the list!
Are you buying a pass from someone?
If you don’t know them, please check with us if they’re legit. Beware of scammers! NEVER buy your pass from someone on social media who typically just comment “ik heb 3 kaartjes te koop” and always challenge their shag knowledge to see if they’re actual dancers.
SINGLE PARTY PASS
Single Party Passes are limited and will be available shortly before the event.
What’s included in the pass:
- 1 taster by local teachers
- 1 party with DJs and live music
SELLING/BUYING YOUR PASS?
Can’t come anymore? You’re free to sell your pass but please let us know so we can change the name in the list!
Are you buying a pass from someone?
If you don’t know them, please check with us if they’re legit. Beware of scammers! NEVER buy your pass from someone on social media who typically just comment “ik heb 3 kaartjes te koop” and always challenge their shag knowledge to see if they’re actual dancers.
UTRECHT
Utrecht is 35 minutes away from Amsterdam and is one of the growing Collegiate Shag scenes in the Netherlands.
From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Take the NS train to Utrecht Centraal Station.
From Amsterdam Centraal Station
take the local NS train to Utrecht Centraal Station.
Public Transport Info
Plan your public transport via the 9292 website or the NS website.
Check always our website and communication channels to get the last information.
Did we get you excited?
The Shaggin’ Utrecht community welcomes you to an exciting weekend.
We want to create a nice Shag exchange experience to connect Shag dancers. We have space for 140 participants to keep the Shaggin’ festival cozy and not too big.
For questions, mail to: events@swinginutrecht.nl