Cambridge City Dance Party Lets You Dance the Night Away

Photo by Ini Tomeu provided

Dust off your dancin’ shoes and grab an energy drink because you’ll be footloose all night long at Cambridge City Hall on Friday, June 26, when the annual Cambridge City Dance Party extravaganza returns for its 2015 event.

What started as a community event in 1996 at the city’s 150th anniversary celebration has flourished into a yearly citywide festivity dedicated to dance. The party draws in crowds from all over the Massachusetts area. Ini Tomeu, a spokesperson for the city of Cambridge, estimates crowds of around 10,000 to 16,000 have joined in on the celebration in previous years, and this year’s Facebook event page has around 20,000 people who plan to attend. The party will have a DJ, a light show, good company, and dancing in the streets. What more could you need?

Before you head to this year’s Cambridge City Dance Party, here are a few guidelines in mind:

What to Wear

Wear a comfortable outfit that is easy to move around in and that will keep you cool throughout the night—shorts, a light shirt, a flowy dress. Carry a small bag or fanny pack and bring the minimum amount of valuables. Most importantly though, “people should just bring their dancing shoes,” Tomeu says.

Transportation

Massachusetts Avenue between Prospect and Bigelow streets will be closed from 7 p.m. until midnight. The #1 bus will terminate service to Central Square at 6 p.m. and continue at midnight. It’s recommended that partygoers take the T to Central Square and walk to City Hall. Tomeu advises against driving to the event, as parking will also be limited.

Food and Drink

Eat before the event and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the night. The event will not provide food and drinks, but dancers are welcome to bring their own, although it might be difficult to eat and dance simultaneously. Alcohol is prohibited.

When to Arrive

The event starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. The first couple hours of the event sees more families and fewer crowds. “The last two hours of the evening gets crazy busy,” Tomeu says.

Who to Bring

Make a night of it with your closest group of friends or bring your family to join in on the fun. In the past, the event has seen groups with synchronized dances and matching outfits. Put together a group and dance until your feet hurt. Better start planning on how to coordinate.

Free, Friday, June 26, no rain date, 7-11 p.m. Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., facebook.com/events.