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.
Spend your late summer in the Domstad, a place where there’s plenty to experience.
This year, we’re doing things a little differently. This year, we’re organizing a Shag exchange, where we’ll show you the best Utrecht has to offer.
We are organizing a Shag beginner’s workshop on Saturday, September 19, where you’ll learn some basic moves and combinations to get started.
During past editions of Shaggin’ Utrecht, we organized various dance classes and parties. Watch the videos to get a taste of the festival.
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 Pepijn Mouwen band will be playing throughout the evening, and a DJ will provide music during the breaks.
19:00: Doors open
19:30 – 20:30: Taster by Panka & Tillie
21:00 – 01:00: Party by Pepijn Mouwen Band
LOCATION
Venue: De Vereeniging
Address: Mariaplaats 14, 3511 LJ Utrecht
The Pepijn Mouwen Band is a group of musicians who love to play for dancers. We asked bandleader Pepijn Mouwen to put together a special Shag repertoire for this event. They are looking forward to give an unforgettable performance.
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.
13:45: Doors open
14:00 – 16:30: Tea Dance with DJ
Venue: Vredenburg Open Stage, TivoliVredenburg
Address: Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht
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.
19:00: Doors open
19:30 – 20:30: Taster by Esther & Andrew
21:00 – 01:00: Party, live music by The Swing Rhythm Club
Venue: Het Oude Tolhuis
Address: Weg naar Rhijnauwen 13-15, 3584 AD Utrecht
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
On Sunday, we dance at a venue in the City Centre. We are still in negotiations with the dance venue. We will update the website as soon as all the details have been finalised.
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.
13:30: Doors open
14:00 – 15:00: Taster by Federico & Giorgia
15:00 – 18:00: Party, live music by Pierre et les Optimistes
Venue: TBA
Address: TBA
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
19:00 – 19:30: Doors open
19:30 – 20:30: Shag taster
Teachers: Panka & Tillie
Local teachers will provide a themed class for intermediate/advanced Shag dancers. Details about the class will be shared soon.
Venue: De Vereeniging
Address: Mariaplaats 14, 3511 LJ Utrecht
19:00 – 19:30: Doors open
19:30 – 20:30: Shag taster
Teachers: Esther & Andrew
Local teachers will provide a themed class for intermediate/advanced Shag dancers. Details about the class will be shared soon.
Venue: Het Oude Tolhuis
Address: Weg naar Rhijnauwen 13-15, 3584 AD Utrecht
13:30 – 14:00: Doors open
14:00 – 15:00: Shag taster
Teachers: Federico & Giorgia
Local teachers will provide a themed class for intermediate/advanced Shag dancers. Details about the class will be shared soon.
Venue: TBA
Address: TBA
12:30 – 13:00: Doors open
13:00 – 14:00: Beginners’ workshop
Teachers: Alexis & partner
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.
Venue: Vredenburg Open Stage, TivoliVredenburg
Address: Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht
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.
10:00 – 16:30: 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 included in the Full Party Pass and the Saturday Pass.
LOCATION
CLIM THE DOM TOWER
11:00 – 16:30: Visit Dom Tower
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 26 spots available for this activity.
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.
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 25 spots available for this activity.
What’s included in the 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.
What’s included in the 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 Passes are limited and will be available shortly before the event.
What’s included in the 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 is 35 minutes away from Amsterdam and is one of the growing Collegiate Shag scenes in the Netherlands.
Take the NS train to Utrecht Centraal Station.
take the local NS train to Utrecht Centraal Station.
Plan your public transport via the 9292 website or the NS website.
Check always our website and communication channels to get the last information.
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 160 participants to keep the Shaggin’ festival cozy and not too big.
For questions, mail to: events@swinginutrecht.nl
