The world’s biggest festival for hip hop theatre, Breakin’ Convention, returns to Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Angel over the May Bank Holiday weekend, with the special opening event Friction on Friday 1 May 2026 and main festival performances on Saturday 2–Sunday 3 May 2026.
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 grown into 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 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, alongside 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 artists to be announced.
The festival takes over the entire Sadler’s Wells building, featuring live DJ sets from esteemed mixmasters, dance workshops, live graffiti, cyphers, freestyle sessions, and soul food alongside auditorium performances. Friction on Friday 1 May launches the weekend with electrifying foyer battles, live DJs, and politically rich auditorium performances by Compagnia Bellanda, Joseph Toonga, and Rock Force Crew. Daytime activities kick off from 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, with the full programme suitable for ages 12+ (parental discretion advised for younger attendees).
In 2026, Breakin’ Convention will also present a free, family-friendly weekend at Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford: the Breakin’ Convention Family Jam on Friday 24–Saturday 25 April, welcoming future breakers and poppers of all ages with performances in the foyer’s community dance space (The Dance Floor), food, workshops, DJ sets, sample sessions, and community showcases.
The weekend’s main festival features two full days of performances, building takeovers with workshops, graffiti, cyphers, freestyle sessions, and more. For a guide to hip hop history and Breakin’ Convention, visit Our Hip Hop Guide — Breakin’ Convention.
Immediately after the London festival, Breakin’ Convention embarks on a nationwide tour, including its first dates in Canterbury. Tour stops include: 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).
Beyond the festival and tour, Breakin’ Convention runs artist development programmes like Open Art Surgery and Back To The Lab, and has toured nationally and internationally (including the Netherlands and US). Last year, Academy Breakin’ Convention opened at Sadler’s Wells East, offering the UK’s first Level 3 qualification in hip hop theatre. This two-year course for 16–19-year-olds covers seven elements of hip hop dance theatre: popping, breaking, emceeing, social dance, DJing, music production, and graffiti. More info can be found here: Home – Academy Breakin’ Convention (academybreakinconvention.com).
Breakin’ Convention is at Sadler’s Wells Theatre 1–3 May 2026. Tickets from £15 are on sale now at www.sadlerswells.com.
