The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival
Christmas Weekend 2024 in DC Top Things To Do: Christmas Lights, Breakfast with Santa, Waterskiing Santa, and More
Take a lighted trail walk at Reston's Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Winterfest
24 Best Things to Do in DC December 2024 with Kids: Sing-A-Longs, Christmas Events, and New Year's Eve
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Tackle the slides at Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Harbor
What's Open on Christmas Day in DC: A List of Awesome Things To Do
Christmas vacation is the perfect time to catch Monet: The Immersive Experience before it leaves town in January! Photo courtesy of the experience
Christmas Vacation in DC: 19 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids
The DC Winter Lantern Festival dazzles through January 12. Photo courtesy of the festival
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 35 Best Things To Do with Kids in DC
Photo courtesy of Canva
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC in Maryland and Northern Virginia
Photo courtesy of Canva
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The Holiday Boat Parade is visible from both the Wharf and the Alexandria waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
32 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
Pull on a signature blue parka for Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort
Christmas in DC: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical Holiday with Kids
Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Skate in the shadow of the National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page
Breakfast with Santa in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Find the perfect tree for your family at Snickers Gap Tree Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Christmas Tree Farms Near DC
Sometimes you can lend a helping hand, sometimes you need a helping hand. Because every kid deserves presents on Christmas. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
How To Find Free Toys for Kids this Christmas and Holiday Season—Apply Soon!
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Best Dance Classes Near DC for Kids

Tiny Dancers offers laid-back dance programs for kids ages 2-12. Photo courtesy of Tiny Dancers
Tiny Dancers offers laid-back dance programs for kids ages 2-12. Photo courtesy of Tiny Dancers
8/6/23 - By Jennifer Swope

One perk of raising children in the DC area is the volume of high-quality classes for kids of all ages, including dance classes. Whether you have a budding ballerina or Baryshnikov or a kid who wants to learn some smooth K-pop or break dancing moves, there's a dance class for them in DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia.

Read on for our favorite dance classes near DC, from ballet and tap to hip-hop, modern dance, and other styles. For more great classes for kids—including art classes, cooking classes, and swimming lessons—visit our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Joy of Motion Dance Center offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and other dance forms. Photo courtesy of the dance center
Joy of Motion Dance Center offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and other dance forms. Photo courtesy of the dance center

Best Dance Classes in DC for Kids

CityDance

Friendship Heights
CityDance offers a well-rounded curriculum of ballet training and contemporary dance techniques rounded out by jazz, tap, hip-hop, and world dance forms taught by renowned faculty. Students ages 4 and older are welcome, with creative movement classes for dancers ages 3-5 and parent & me classes for ages 18 months - 2 years. READ MORE

Dance Place

Brookland
Dance Place in University Heights offers ballet classes for kids ages 4 and older, as well as tap, hip-hop, and other classes for ages 6 and up. There are also creative movement classes for little ones ages 3-5 and Move with Me classes for ages 1.5-3 with a caregiver. READ MORE

Joy of Motion Dance Center

NOMA
Joy of Motion offers a robust program for youth, teens, and adults through camps, classes, workshops, and master classes. Dancers ages 5-14 can participate in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and world dance camps, or opt for one of two specialty summer programs: Little Pop Stars and Triple Threat Musical Theater. Campers also take part in games, crafts, and an end-of-week show, with snacks provided and before/after-care options. Classes are offered for students age 18 months to 14 years throughout the year by term, or as drop-in for teens and adults. READ MORE

Princess Mhoon Dance Institute

Woodridge
Princess Mhoon Dance Institute has classes for ages 2-18 in ballet, hip-hop, modern, jazz, and African. PMDI strives to bring community together through the power of dance. READ MORE

The Lab Breakin' Academy

Vienna, Takoma DC
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the United States to specialize in Breakin’ (break dancing). The program is foundation-based and builds upon previous weeks' concepts and lessons. Little Breakers classes are for ages 3-5 and Take the First Step classes are for ages 5-12. Classes for ages 13-17 are coming soon at the DC location and are already available at the Virginia location. READ MORE

The Washington School of Ballet

Tenleytown, SE DC
The Washington Ballet School offers ballet programs for students ages 1-18 from September to May at both its NW and SE campuses. Students enrolled in levels Pre Ballet 3 and up can audition for the company production of The Nutcracker, with performances at the Warner Theatre.  READ MORE
Despite its name, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy offers classes in more than just ballet. Photo courtesy of the dance studio
Despite its name, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy offers classes in more than just ballet. Photo courtesy of the dance studio

Best Dance Classes in Maryland for Kids

Bethesda Conservatory of Dance

Bethesda
Welcoming dancers of all levels and abilities (ages 2 and older), Bethesda Conservatory of Dance offers high-quality, low-pressure classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop. READ MORE

Maryland Youth Ballet

Silver Spring
The beauty of ballet, and the discipline required to express it, are at the forefront of classes at Maryland Youth Ballet. The program begins with early dance and introductory classes for ages 2 and older. Serious dancers progress to the pre-professional program, where pointe work is introduced for girls and supplemental classes in jazz, modern dance, and flamenco are available. READ MORE

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy

Gaithersburg
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre offers classes in creative movement, early ballet, classical ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern, and more for ages 3 and older. There are classes for beginners, a track for pre-professional ballet students, and several performing opportunities for all students. READ MORE

Wheaton Studio of Dance

Wheaton
With a goal of combining dance and community, Wheaton Studio of Dance offers classes in ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, and acro for dancers 3 and older.  READ MORE
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the US to specialize in break dancing. Photo courtesy of the academy
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the US to specialize in break dancing. Photo courtesy of the academy

Best Dance Classes in Northern Virginia for Kids

Adrenaline Studio

Herndon, Tysons
This studio has a huge portfolio of dance programs ranging from beginner ballet to advanced hip-hop and beyond, including competition dance teams. Classes and camps are for ages 3 and older. READ MORE

Born 2 Dance

Vienna
K-pop? Check. Hip-hop? Check. Ballet? Musical theater? Tap? Jazz? Acro? Check, check, check, check, check. Born 2 Dance offers dance classes for kids ages 3 and older in just about every discipline you can imagine.  READ MORE

Dance Academy of Virginia

McLean
The Dance Academy of Virginia offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical for all ages (2 and older) and experience levels. Private classes are also available. READ MORE

The Lab Breakin' Academy

Vienna, Takoma DC
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the United States to specialize in Breakin’ (break dancing). The program is foundation-based and builds upon previous weeks' concepts and lessons. Little Breakers classes are for ages 3-5 and Take the First Step classes are for ages 5-12. Classes for ages 13-17 are coming soon at the DC location and are already available at the Virginia location. READ MORE

Tiny Dancers

Alexandria, Fairfax City, Mosaic
Tiny Dancers' three Northern Virginia locations—Alexandria, Fairfax City, and Mosaic District—offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater classes for ages 3 and up. Little ones ages 2 and 3 can take the school's Wiggletoes classes with a parent or caregiver. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: