The world’s biggest festival for hip hop theatre, Breakin’ Convention returns to Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Angel this May bank holiday (Friday 1–Monday 4 May 2026).
Highlights:
- Breakin’ Convention kicks off this year with Friction, an opening event of electrifying battles and performances
- Compagnia Bellanda, Joseph Toonga, ILL-Abilities, Rock Force and Let It Happen all take to the stage across the weekend
- Breakin’ Convention to embark on nationwide tour following Festival at Sadler’s Wells
Founded, created and programmed by hip hop innovator Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention has been held annually at Sadler’s Wells since 2004. Over its twenty-two years, it has become a global platform celebrating hip hop culture through dance, performance, and artistic expression. Featuring both UK and international artists, with the motto “around the world and around the corner”, the festival honours hip hop’s roots while pushing creative boundaries, proving that the culture remains as relevant and multi-faceted as ever.
Across the weekend, Breakin’ Convention presents the full range of hip hop dance styles including breaking, popping, Krump, wacking and contemporary dance with a number of UK and world premiere performances. This year’s programme includes Compagnia Bellanda (Italy) Joseph Toonga (UK) Rock Force Crew (USA) Let It Happen (the Netherlands) ILL-Abilities (the Netherlands and Brazil), Breakin’ Convention Youth (UK), IMD Legion (UK) with more to be announced.
Taking over the full building at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, there will be live DJ sets from esteemed mixmasters, dance workshops, live graffiti, cyphers, freestyle sessions, and soul food, to accompany auditorium performances. This year, the festival kicks off with Friction on Friday 1 May, a special opening event of electrifying battles and performances from hip hop theatre luminaries. Audiences are invited to join from 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, and the weekend’s programming is suitable for ages 12 and over, with parental discretion advised for younger attendees.
In 2026, Breakin’ Convention will also present a family-friendly weekend at Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford. The free Breakin’ Convention Family Jam, running from Friday 24 -Saturday 25 April, welcomes future breakers and poppers of all ages. The weekend will feature performances in the foyer’s community dance space, The Dance Floor, as well as food, workshops, DJ sets, sample sessions, and community showcases.
Breakin’ Convention 2026 Tour (Saturday 9 May to Saturday 6 June)
Immediately after the London Festival, Breakin’ Convention embarks on a nationwide tour, travelling to towns and cities across the United Kingdom including its first dates in Canterbury. Featuring, TRAPLORD, Femme Fatale, ILL-Abilities and more acts to be announced shortly.
The Olivier Award-winning TRAPLORD, created by prolific artist and choreographer Ivan Blackstock will join the Breakin’ Convention tour. Blackstock’s innovative body of work includes collaborations with artists such as Beyoncé as well as solo performances, film and more. Exploring masculinity and mental health, TRAPLORD is an explosive fusion of movement and storytelling challenging racial stereotypes of Black men.
The 2026 tour lineup also includes Los Angeles-based trio Femme Fatale who are of French, Mexican and Korean origin. Renowned for their slick and timeless performances, stylish musicality and razor-sharp moves, Femme Fatale’s appearances at Breakin’ Convention in recent years have been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike.
Breakin’ Convention tours to The Marlowe, Canterbury (9 May), Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (15
& 16 May), Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (20 May), Tramway, Glasgow (23 May), Brighton Dome, Brighton (27 May) Lighthouse, Poole (30 May), CAST, Doncaster (3 June) and The Grand, Blackpool (6 June).
NEED TO KNOW – Breakin’ Convention Festival performances in Sadler’s Wells Theatre are BSL interpreted by Jacqui Beckford and Vinessa Brant
RELATED LINKS
- Breakin’ Convention International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre 2-3 May 2026
- Breakin’ Convention 2026 Friction 1 May 2026
- Afridiziak interview with Jonzi D
- Alistair Spalding | Well Seasoned, Celebrating Black Dance
- Breakin’ Convention – review
- Breakin’ Convention: Tentacle Tribe’s Prism – review
