22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
Olympiad
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(From the Bridge if it does not know your location)

Olympiad comprises of:


CURRENT PROGRAMME OF EVENTS (Others may follow)

Click on the event name or time to get more detail.

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Events on Friday 22nd May 2026
TimeWhatWithPrice
20:00 - 23:45
Sports Hall
Welcome Ceilidh
Kick off the festival with a high-energy welcome ceilidh! Dance to Brown Boots Boogie Band with Ian Nichols calling. Fun for all, no experience needed.(P)
Brown Boots Boogie Band (Band) Ian Nichols (Caller)Weekend or Event tickets Only (£15)
Liberty Hill North West (Dance Spot)
20:00 - 22:30
Riverbank
Bal
An evening of balfolk dancing, interspersing popular balfolk dances (such as bourrees, mazurkas and scottishes) with regional French dances. (A/P)
Shivelight Ravi SawneyWeekend tickets Only
22:30 - 23:30
Riverbank
Post-Bal Session and Dancing

Events on Saturday 23rd May 2026
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00
Sports Hall
American workshop - "Making Waves"
Contras and squares with waves (G)
Geoff Cubitt Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 - 11:00
Riverbank
Folk Dance Basics and Beyond Bob Morgan Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40
Sports Hall
American workshop Diane Silver (US) Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45
Riverbank
Callers' workshop - "The Walkthrough"
Often overlooked, a solid walkthrough can set your dancers up for success and let the caller drop out more quickly. Walkthroughs can also be opportunities to remind people about points of convention, style, and safety. In this workshop, we’ll share different strategies, including different calling styles, and best practices using practical examples, discuss how to prepare successful walkthroughs for new-to-you dances, and more.
Louise SiddonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 - 13:40
Riverbank
Callers' round Fee Lock (Ceilidh Caller)Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Sports Hall
American workshop - "What the Hey"
All the heys, with a focus on shape, timing, and flow. Contras, squares, maybe even a triplet! (P)
Louise SiddonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Riverbank
Bal workshop Lucy Huzzard ShivelightWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Sports Hall
American workshop Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Riverbank
Bal workshop Lucy Huzzard ShivelightWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 - 19:25
Sports Hall
Zesty Contra Geoff Cubitt Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 - 20:20
Riverbank
Pre-Bal Session and Dancing
20:00 - 24:00
Sports Hall
Ceilidh
Saturday night heats up with Trinculo! Join caller Nick Walden for a high-octane ceilidh that’ll lift the roof.(P)
Trinculo (Band) Nick Walden (Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only (£15)
Beltane Border (Dance Spot)
20:30 - 22:40
Riverbank
Bal Lucy Huzzard Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only
22:40 - 23:30
Riverbank
Post-Bal Session and Dancing

Events on Sunday 24th May 2026
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00
Sports Hall
American workshop Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 - 11:00
Riverbank
Callers' workshop - squares Geoff Cubitt Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40
Sports Hall
American workshop - "Grid Squares, Exploding Squares etc"
Squares and contras that move you from set to set (and sometimes back) (G)
Geoff CubittWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45
Riverbank
American workshop - "No-Swing Contras"
Zesty dances, hot music, no swings. Are you ready for the Peterborough (New Hampshire) Challenge? (P)
Louise Siddons Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 - 13:40
Riverbank
Callers' round Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Sports Hall
English workshop Orly Krasner (US) Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Riverbank
Mixed Workshop - "Dances for odd numbers"
Dances for odd numbers - including dances for 3, 5, 7 dancers, maybe more! (P)
Nicola Scott Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:00
Swimming Pool
Aqueilidh
Dive into a pool dance with Dancing Yew and caller Martin Clarke. It’s shore to be a whale of a time—just keep your head above water and go with the flow!(P)

Important: Numbers are limited, please collect (free to season ticket holders) tickets from the box office on a first-come first-served basis to secure your space to splash!

Dancing Yew (Band) Martin Clarke (Caller)Event Tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Sports Hall
American workshop - "4 Square"
Squares and double contras (G)
Geoff Cubitt JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 - 19:25
Sports Hall
Zesty Playford
Dances published between 1651 and 1730 that reward energy and musicality. Some familiar favourites and perhaps some surprises! (P)
Louise Siddons JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:45 - 22:45
Riverbank
Techno Contra
This one’s about the vibes and the flow — and don’t forget your glow necklace. (P)
Louise Siddons Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 - 23:45
Sports Hall
Ceilidh
Experience the explosive, high-octane energy of Lasair paired with Hannah Moore’s expert calling. A powerhouse evening of music and dance that you won't want to miss. (P)
Lasair (Band) Hannah Moore (Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only (£15)
New Esperance (Dance Spot)

Events on Monday 25th May 2026
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00
Sports Hall
Mixed/English workshop Victoria Yeomans JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 - 11:00
Riverbank
Callers' workshop - squares Geoff Cubitt Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:40
Sports Hall
Mixed/English workshop Orly Krasner (US) JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45
Riverbank
Dance organisers' round
14:00 - 15:30
Sports Hall
American workshop - "Not just duple minors!"
American dances in different formations - longwise, Becket, Mescolanza, triplets and more! (P)
Nicola Scott WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Riverbank
Scandi workshop Lucy Huzzard Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Sports Hall
American workshop -"Fun With Beckets"
Fun With Beckets! (G)
Geoff Cubitt WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Riverbank
Scandi workshop Lucy Huzzard Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 - 18:55
Sports Hall
Zesty Contra
Zesty Contras. Do you like skipping your heys, and allemanding twice around instead of once? Nothing too taxing, just lively contras you can enjoy to their fullest. (P)
Louise Siddons WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 - 22:30
Sports Hall
Ceilidh
The festival’s grand finale! End on a high note with the EFDSS Ceilidh Band and the legendary Fee Lock. One last chance to dance your heart out before the party’s over. Don't miss the big finish! (P)
EFDSS Ceilidh Band (Band) Fee Lock (Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only (£15)
Crooked Moon (Dance Spot)
19:30 - 20:10
Riverbank
Pre- bal / scandi dance session and dancing
20:15 - 22:30
Riverbank
Bal and Scandi Dance Lucy Huzzard & Tasmin Elliot Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only