Visit each dance below to view: dates, times, essays, photos & contact information.
View and Download 2020 Brochure 
Concord
Concord, (English Country)
Canterbury
Durham-temporarily suspended
East Derry
Kingston
Milford
Nelson
Norwich, VT
Norwich, VT, (English Country)
Peterborough
Dover New England Country Dance
All dance schedules are subject to change. Please visit the dance organizer's website for most current schedule.
Many consider New Hampshire to be the contra dance capital of the world. For centuries, community members and visitors have gathered together to swing, stomp, and dance in town halls and community centers. Today, the modern popularity of contra dances across the United States trace their roots to the old town halls and dance floors of New Hampshire.
The Traditional Dance Trail features dances which take place every month in communities across the state. All dances have live music which is influenced by our state's French-Canadian, English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. You will often hear a fiddle, piano, and a variety of other instruments. A dance caller guides you through each dance by announcing a series of steps. Some dances have beginner workshops or lessons, and anyone can join in at anytime.
No partner? No problem! At contra dances, you switch partners often throughout the night. Experienced dancers will be eager to help you with the figures. Grab some friends and head to a local dance!
What Are Traditional Dances?
These dances are open to the public, have live music, and a dance caller. The dance steps and formations have been passed down and adapted since colonial times.
Dances featured on the Traditional Dance Trail:
Contra: Dance sequences that involve many couples forming a line down the dance floor. Each couple changes neighbors many times throughout the night. The popularity of contra dance across the United States can be traced to musicians, callers, and communities in New Hampshire.
English Country: These dances originated in 17th century English courts and were brought to New England by colonists. Today, many people are writing new dances in that style.
Square: Dance sequences that involve 4 couples, typically in a square formation.
Concord
Location:
City-Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Rd.
Dates: Sept. 21, Nov. 16, Dec. 21
Time: 7pm
Featuring: contra & square dances with live music
Admission: $10 | ages 15-25 $5 | under age 15 free
Website: https://concordnhcontra.wordpress.com/
Read more about Concord's dance: Essay
Concord, English Country
Location: Howard Recreation Center
Auditorium,
Intersection of Brown and Kent Road, on the grounds of the NH Hospital & Gallen State Office Park
Dates: First Sunday of every month, October through June; Second Sunday in September
Time: 3:00pm
Featuring: English Country dances with live music
Admission: $10 | NHECDS members $9
Website: http://nhecds.org/
Canterbury
Location: Parish Hall, 6 Hackleboro Road
Dates: Second Sunday of every month, September through June
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Featuring: contras & squares dances with live music
Admission: $10 | students & seniors $7 | children free
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/
Durham -
temporarily suspended
Location: Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 20 Madbury Road
Dates: First Thursday of every month
Time: 8pm
Featuring: contra & square dances with Lamprey River Band,
Peter Yarensky & Sarah Mason calling, guest musicians & callers
welcome
Admission: $2
Website: http://nhcountrydance.com/fiddle/lrb-dance.html
East Derry
Location: First Parish Church Hall, 47 East Derry Rd., Derry, NH
Dates: Third Friday of every month except July & August
Time: 7:30pm, beginner lesson at 7:15pm
Featuring: contra dances with live music
Admission: $10 | students $5 | under age 12 free
Website: https://www.wordworthy2.org/
Kingston
Location: Kingston Town Hall, 163 Main St.
Dates: Fourth Saturday of every month except July & November
Time: 7:00pm
Featuring: contra dances with live music
Admission: $10 | students $5
Milford
Location: Milford Town Hall, 3rd floor Auditorium, 1 Union Sq.
Dates: Fourth Friday of every month
Time: 7:00pm
Featuring: contra dances with live music, sit-in musicians welcome, caller's open mic, potluck refreshments
Admission: $10 | students & seniors $7 | under age 12 free
Website: milfordnhcontradance.org
Read more about the Dance: Essay
Nelson
Location: Nelson Town Hall, Nelson Common Rd.
Dates: Every Monday night, Winter Solstice, New Year's Eve & other special dates
Time: 7:30pm
Featuring: contra dances with live music
Admission: $3
Website: http://www.monadnockfolk.org/
The Monadnock Folklore Society (MFS) was founded in 1980, with the purpose of increasing the visibility of folk dance and music events in southern New Hampshire, providing new venues for performers, and providing educational services in the folk arts to the community.
Norwich, VT
Location: Tracy Hall, 300 Main St.
Dates: Second Saturday of every month, September through May
Time: 7:30pm, with newcomers' workshop at 7:15pm
Featuring: contra & square dances with live music
Admission: $20 Dance Supporters | $12 General Admission | $8 Students | Under 16 free
Facebook: Norwich Community Dances
Norwich, VT, English Country
Location: Tracy Hall, 300 Main St.
Dates: Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 15, 2024; Jan 12, Feb 9, March 9, April 13, 2025
Time: 1pm
Featuring: English country dances with Trip to Norwich
Admission: $15
For more information, please contact:
christopher.g.levey@dartmouth.edu
Peterborough
Location: Peterborough Town House, 1 Grove St.
Dates: First Saturday of every month
Time: 8pm, beginner lesson at 7:30pm
Featuring: contra & square dances with live music
Admission: $10 | students & seniors $7
Website: http://www.monadnockfolk.org/
The Monadnock Folklore Society (MFS) was founded in 1980, with the purpose of increasing the visibility of folk dance and music events in southern New Hampshire, providing new venues for performers, and providing educational services in the folk arts to the community.
Tamworth
Location: Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Rd.
Dates: Second Saturday of every month; New Year's Eve dance
Time: 7:30pm
Featuring: contra & square dances with live music
Admission: $8 | children age 12 and under free
Website: http://tamworthoutingclub.org/
Seacoast Contra
Location:Newfields Town Hall, 65 Main St., Newfields
Dates: First Friday of every month
Time: 8pm, beginner lesson at 7:30pm
Featuring: contra & square dances with live music
Admission: $10 | students $6| children under age 12 free | family admission $15
Website: www.seacoastcontra.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeacoastContra/
Plymouth Square Dance
Location:THE BARN ON THE PEMI,
341 Daniel Webster Hwy
Dates: April 4, 2024;
November 6, 2024;
December 4, 2024;
January 2, 2025;
February 6, 2025;
March 6, 2025;
April 3, 2025
Time: 7:30pm
Featuring: square dances with live music
Admission: $15
Facebook: Plymouth Square Dance | Facebook
Dover New England Country Dance
Location: St. John's United Methodist Church, 28 Cataract Ave
Dates: Second Friday of every month, September through June
Time: 7:30pm
Featuring: contra, triplet & square dances with live music
Admission:$10 | students $5
Facebook: Dover New England Country DanceWebsite: Dover New England Country Dance
Portable Document Format (.pdf). Visit nh.gov for a list of free .pdf readers for a variety of operating systems.
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
19 Pillsbury Street - 1st Floor, Concord, NH 03301