Competition fun for everyone!

The Northwest Balboa Festival is a fun and supportive space for up-and-coming dancers in the local & national scene to stretch their competition skills on the floor!

Our 2026 competition line-up:

  • Novice/Advanced Mix & Match

  • Switch Mix & Match

Competitions

  • Novice/Advanced Mix & Match

    A competition to encourage interactions between newer and more established dancers. Give newer competitors a chance to compete in their best light and a supportive environment. 

    - FREE to enter!
    Values partnership highest

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    Prelims: Novice Follows will be partnered with Advanced Leads, and Novice Leads will be partnered with Advanced Follows. Partners will rotate in between each song for 3 songs. Leads and Follows in both categories will be judged separately.

    Finals: Finalists will be randomly partnered as a Novice dancer with an Advanced Dancer. They will dance in dual spotlights to DJ’d music with all skates before and after. 

  • Switch & Fluid: Mix & Match

    This open-level competition has no entry restrictions and celebrates versatility, musicality, and creative connection. Dancers are encouraged to move fluidly between leading, following, switching roles, or exploring the space in between! We’re looking for music-driven, conversational social dancing that goes beyond the traditional lead/follow binary. At its core, this competition values how dancers listen, respond, and empower each other through the music.

    - Free to enter!
    * This is an open level competition, no restrictions to entry!

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    Prelims: Dancers will dance 3 songs per heat. Participants are encouraged to switch roles throughout the song. Rotating dancers in between each song. 

    Finals: Finalists will be randomly paired. All Skate warms up, single spotlights to DJ’d music. Dancers are encouraged to switch roles throughout the songs. 

Our Switch Mix & Match competition is offered in partnership with Queer Swing Seattle

NWBF recognizes that Switch dancing holds profound historical and cultural significance, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ and Black communities. It fosters an environment where both partners are free to lead, follow, or switch roles, without the limitations of traditional dance roles or expectations. For years, it has been a vital form of self-expression for queer individuals in the swing dance community, providing a space for authentic movement. NWBF is proud to honor this rich legacy in our Switch competition this year.

How we define levels

Novice (Mix & Match)

  • You have not competed before, or have only competed a few times in amateur level competitions.

  • You are not in the Perfector track.

  • You did not place in previous Nov/Adv or Pro/Am competitions in the past two years.

  • You’re excited to explore the competition experience with an Advanced dancer!

These guidelines apply to dancers competing in a specific role (e.g., you may qualify for the Novice division as a lead but not as a follow).

Advanced (Mix & Match)

  • You are a regular competitor.

  • You have finaled in amateur, advanced, or open level competitions.

  • You’re an avid social dancer who travels and/or teaches locally.

  • You are in the Perfector track. You’re excited to help make the Novice dancers shine! 

If you are unsure which category you qualify for any any competition, please reach out to us at admin@nwbalfest.com and we will help you determine if this is the right competition for you.

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sign up when you complete your weekend registration.

  • All competitions will take place in The Grand at Reverie Ballroom, our venue for the evening social dances.

  • The organizing team will work with you to find a competition that is suitable for your level, per our competition guidelines.

  • Contact us!

    admin@nwbalfest.com
    taylor@nwbalfest.com