Welcome to Ballroom Dancing in Nanaimo!

The Nanaimo Ballroom Dance Society wants to create more opportunities for residents of Nanaimo and area to enjoy dancing. Why wait till another wedding, or struggle with crowded disco clubs? Waltz over to Nanaimo's Bowen Park on the first Friday of each month, or Nanoose's Recreation Centre on the third Saturday, for one of our regular dances (check the dance calendar). Every dance features excellent ballroom dance music, a large hardwood floor, a smoke-free hall, refreshments, and a friendly group of dance enthusiasts. We also put on workshops before some dances, to help introduce you to international style ballroom figures, develop the fundamentals of good dance technique, and have fun with sequence dances.

Our first Friday dances are held at the Bowen Park Auditorium, Nanaimo, and our third Saturday dances at the Nanoose Place Recreation Centre, Nanoose. The dances normally commence at 8:30 p.m. and finish around 11.30. The halls are open from 6 p.m. for practice and from 7:30 p.m. for workshops (check the dance calendar for workshop topics).

Whether you wish to enjoy a social evening with friends or to compete in international style dancing, join us in the Nanaimo Ballroom Dance Society and enjoy dancing as much as you like!

Special Events

In May each year we host the BC championships for amateur ballroom dancers at the Island Fantasy Ball. This is the chance for Nanaimo to see the best dancers in BC compete for the provincial championships, and to see top dancers internationally compete for the BC open championships. We also help Nanaimo area competitors prepare for competition with training facilities and other support.

In July each year we host a Dance Camp for three days on Newcastle Island where the days are filled with a wide range of dance workshops by professional instructors, and the evenings by dances and barbecues.

In October we hold our Anniversary Dinner/Dance, and in December a Christmas Dinner/Dance and New Year's Eve Ball.

Our Objectives

  • To develop and promote interest in ballroom dancing
  • To organize social and competitive dancing events and activities
  • To encourage dancers and members of the community to participate in dancing
  • To foster better understanding and friendship within the community and between dancers

Photos by Nelson Wong and Brian Gaines