Pssst… In case you haven’t heard the exciting news — the Dunedin Line Dance Gala is back for 2026 and it’s going to be bigger, better, and boot-scootin’ more fun than ever before!

After the smashing success of the 2024 Gala, the same passionate and experienced organising team are bringing the magic back to Dunedin, with an all-star lineup that’s guaranteed to have you dancing from start to finish.

Headliners You Don’t Want to Miss 🌟

We are beyond thrilled to welcome an incredible team of local and international choreographers, instructors and supporters to this year’s event:

• Jamie Barnfield (UK) – Our 2026 headline act!
• Simon Ward (Australia) – A true favourite on the international circuit.
• Joshua Talbot (Australia) – Bringing his fresh energy and creativity to the floor.
• Stephen Paterson (Australia) - Fabulous and much loved with a great energy.
• Luke Watson (Australia)
• Laressa Frost (NZ)
• Jaime Ngawaka (NZ/Australia) – Our newly adopted Kiwi 
  
  
  
  

A Look Back – Dunedin Gala 2024

The 2024 Gala was an unforgettable event, headlined by the brilliant Heather Barton from Scotland. With 380+ dancers from across New Zealand (and a few international visitors too!), the event embraced a proud Scottish theme — complete with haggis tastings and a special Scottish dance demonstration!

The buzz from that weekend is still alive, with attendees calling it one of the best line dance weekends ever hosted in NZ. And 2026 promises to raise the bar even higher.

What’s New in 2026? ✨

The Gala is evolving and this year’s Gala has some exciting additions:

• Choreography & Club Dance Competitions – Show off your steps and support your local talent!
• New Pass Options – Choose the one that suits your style:

• Silver Pass: Access to Thursday’s Meet & Greet, Friday & Saturday workshops, and the social dance evenings.
• Gold Pass: All of the above plus first-in-door access, priority seating, entry to competitions, a pre-Friday VIP social party, and exclusive photos with our guest instructors!

🎟 Registrations are open now, so grab your pass before they sell out!

🎶 And yes, we’ll soon be gathering playlist suggestions — so get your song ideas ready.

Spotlight on Jamie Barnfield 🕺

We are honoured to have Jamie Barnfield headlining our 2026 event. Jamie’s line dance journey began in 1996 at a themed weekend in Bournemouth, UK — and he’s never looked back.

From humble beginnings at a local club, he rose through the ranks, winning titles like the British Championships and Universal Cup with his competition team “Take It From The Top.”

Jamie’s choreography career took off with hits like Let It Swing, earning multiple Crystal Boot Award nominations and international acclaim.

Most recently, he was crowned UK Instructor of the Year and his club “Boogie Shoes” scooped up “UK Club of the Year” and “UK Choreographer of the Year” at the 2024 UKLDA Awards.

He brings an infectious energy and passion for dance, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the Dunedin floor. (Watch this space for an upcoming feature article on Jamie, right here on LDNZ!)

Powered by Community 🇳🇿❤️

The Dunedin Line Dance Gala is a celebration of not just dance — but community.

At Linedance NZ, we’re proud to support this event and many others like it across the country in anyway we can. From workshops to socials, competitions to camaraderie — this is what the NZ line dance scene is all about (The Gala Team are doing a fab job).

To everyone planning to attend: we can’t wait to dance with you, cheer with you, and make memories together in 2026.