All of these events are great events. Most dances include classes beforehand. Some of my personal favorites are highlighted .
| Day | Style | Times | Cost Estimate | Event Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Sundays | Lindy Hop | noon-2:30pm dance, 1-1:30pm mini-lesson — Summers | FREE | Lindy in the Square in Redwood City, 2200 Broadway St, Redwood City, CA. |
| Sundays | Lindy Hop | 11am-2pm dance, noon-12:30pm class | FREE | Lindy in the Park, Golden Gate Park (Close to the De Young Museum and Cal Academy of Sciences), SF, CA. |
| 3rd Sundays | Vintage Dance | 4pm-6:30pm; sometimes workshops at 3pm | $15 ($10 for members; $5 for first-timers) | Castle House Vintage Dance (formerly Varsity Dance Club) with music from 1900-1935 by the Paul Price Society Orchestra, Palo Alto Masonic ballroom, 461 Florence (off University). |
| Mondays | Lindy Hop | 7:30-8:30pm intermediate class, 8:30-9:30pm beginner/fundamentals class, 9:30-11:45pm dance | $??? | San Jose Swing (Facebook), 3595 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117-1047. Note: Grand opening on Monday, 6 January 2020! |
| Mondays | Blues/Fusion | 8-9pm beginner/intermediate classes, 9pm-midnight dance | $15 for class/dance, $8 for only the dance ($12/$5 for students). | Shades of Blues (Facebook page), Polish Club, 3040 22nd Street, San Francisco, CA. |
| Mondays | Gypsy Jazz, Swing | 7-10pm | FREE | Mr. Tipple's Recording Studio, 39 Fell St, SF, CA. Live music by Le Jazz Hot. |
| Tuesdays | Varies (see website for details) | Five to Seven week 1-hour class series (7pm, 8pm, 9pm), no dance | ~$55 for each 1-hour 7-week series (~$40 for students) | Couple Dancing! at First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, CA. |
| Tuesdays | Varies | 6-8pm — Summers - Jun through Sep | FREE (demos, lesson, dancing) | Dancing on the Square on Courthouse Square, Redwood City, CA. |
| Tuesdays | Hustle | 8-9pm class, 9pm-midnight dance | $10 for class/dance or dance | Hustle Dance Club at CPAA Arts Center, San Jose, CA. |
| Tuesdays | Lindy Hop | 7-9:15pm classes, 9-11:30pm dance | $20 for drop-in class, $10 for dance | The Woodchopper's Ball at Verdi Club, San Francisco, CA. Live music. |
| Tuesdays | Lindy Hop | 8-11pm | ?? | Local Edition, 691 Market St., SF, CA. Live music by The Cosmo Alleycats. |
| Tuesdays | Lindy Hop | 6:30-8:30pm class, 8:30-11pm dance | $8 for dance ($6 for students), $55 for class series ($15 drp-in when available) | The Breakaway at the Starline Social Club ballroom, 645 West Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA. |
| Wednesdays | Lindy Hop | 7-9pm class, 9pm-midnight dance | $16 for drop-in class, $8 for dance ($12 on band nights) | Wednesday Night Hop! at First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA. |
| Wednesdays | Blues | 7-8pm class, 8pm-11pm dance | $6-16 | Beat the Blues! at La Peña in Berkeley, CA. |
| Wednesdays | Swing | 7:30-9:30pm classes, 9:30pm-midnight dance | $15-20 for class and dance, $10 for dance | Cat's Corner at Ukrainian American Hall (or Swedish American Hall), SF, CA; check website to verify location. |
| Thursdays | Blues/Fusion | 7-8pm social hour & blues tips for Westies, 8-9pm beginning blues class, 9pm-midnight dance | $12 for lesson and dance (arrive before 7:30pm: $8), $10 for dance only | South Bay Fusion at dance studio above Napa Auto Parts store, 560 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94062. |
| Thursdays | Swing | 7:20-9:20pm classes, 9:20pm-midnight dance | $14 drop in for class (includes dance), $8 for just the dance | 9:20 Special at Russian Center, 2460 Sutter St, SF, CA 94115. |
| Thursdays | West Coast Swing | 7:45-9:45pm class only, No Dance | $36 for the 4-week series | Michelle's Swing Dance WCS classes at New Century Dance Studio in Mountain View, CA |
| Thursdays | Swing | 7:30-9pm classes, 9pm-12:30am dance with live music and DJ | $5; Note: Must be age 21+. | Swingin' at the Rack, The Saddle Rack, 42011 Boscell Road, Fremont, CA. 21+. Run by the San Francisco Jitterbugs. |
| Fridays | Social Ballroom, Vintage Dance | 7-9pm (class), 9pm-midnight dance | $12 for class/dance, $8 for just dance | Friday Night Waltz (FNW), First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA. Friendly, casual dress. |
| 1st/3rd Fridays; 5th Fridays: Balboa focus | Swing, Shag, Balboa, Blues | 8:30-9pm lindy lab, 9pm-midnight social dancing | $8 | For Dancers Only, Sunnyvale Community Center, 950 Michaelangelo Drive, Sunnyvale, CA |
| 2nd Fridays | Swing | 7-9pm classes, 9-11:30pm dance | $20 for 1 class; $25 for 2 classes (includes dance); $15 for dance only | The Dancers' Den at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, #290, Oakland, CA. |
| Fridays | Blues | 8-10pm classes, 10pm-2am dance | $15 for class/dance, $10 for dance only ($11/$7 for students) | Friday Night Blues at Studio Gracia, 19 Heron St, SF, CA. No partner needed; all ages. |
| 2nd/4th Saturdays | Blues/Fusion | 7-9pm (class), 9pm until late (dance) | Donation based: $12-20 for class/dance ($8-12 for students) | FBomb Fusion Dance (Facebook page), Ariel Dance Productions, 2385 S. Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008 |
| Saturdays (once a month) | Swing | 7-9pm (class), 9pm-midnight dance | $8-$18 estimate | The Rhythm Lounge, The Burlingame Woman's Club, 241 Park Rd, Burlingame, CA 94011 (near the Burlingame Caltrain station). |
| Saturdays | Lindy Hop | 11:45am-2pm, 11:45am-12:15pm class | FREE | Lindy on Sproul, UC Berkeley's Upper Sproul. |
| 2nd Saturdays | Social Ballroom | 7-9pm (class), 9pm-midnight dance | $12 for class/dance, $8 for just dance | East Bay Waltz, Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue (cross street is Harrison), Oakland, CA. Friendly, casual dress. |
| Saturdays (once a month), except November/December | Lindy Hop | 8:30-9pm drop-in class, 9pm-midnight dance | $15 for class and dance | The Bootleggers Ball at the SF Community Music Center, 544 Capp St., SF, CA |
Most of the dances around the area also seem to include inexpensive lessons before their dances. Attend the group class and stay for the dancing.