Applause Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) is a weekend celebrating youth dance from across the Midlands.

AYDF gives young dancers the opportunity to perform with their peers in a professional venue, watch other youth groups’ work and take part in workshops with professional dance artists.

The festival welcomes young dancers from every background, every dance genre and every level of experience, to enjoy a colourful wave of youth dance activity. It is also your U.Dance regional platform for the Midlands

What is U.Dance?

U.Dance is a national programme led by One Dance UK and has been part of our youth dance offer in the East and West Midlands for ten amazing years.

Together with One Dance UK, Fabric aims to present high quality, innovative and ambitious youth dance. Groups from a variety of settings are welcome to take part, including:

• School and college groups 
• Youth dance companies 
• Private dance schools 
• Individuals 

How to perform at Applause Youth Dance Festival?

Every year applications open for dance groups, soloists, duos and trios.

Performers must be aged 11 to 19 and up to 25 for disabled dancers.

Groups and individuals selected to be part of Applause Youth Dance Festival will include an equal number of groups from both East and West Midlands.

Those selected to be part of Applause Youth Dance Festival will have the opportunity to go on to perform at the U.Dance National Festival in 2026.

U.Dance National Festival

The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is a celebration of youth dance. Groups from around the country perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance career information.

The U.Dance National Festival 2026 will be held Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July in Glasgow. More details announced soon.