Breakin’ Convention International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre
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Fuel your soul this spring with Breakin’ Convention, the world’s biggest festival of hip hop theatre. Hosted and curated by Jonzi D, the festival features the freshest works from your favourite artists.
Get bank holiday ready for jaw-dropping performances, live DJs, dance workshops, graffiti, emcees, and spontaneous cyphers all over Sadler’s Wells in an unforgettable experience. Welcoming all hip hop heads from the old school to the new school.
From the USA, Rock Force Crew – winners of the UK B-Boy Championship 2025 – bring their explosive energy to the stage. ILL-Abilities, the trailblazing differently abled b-boy collective, appear with two dancers showcasing their signature world-class skill. Social media sensations Let It Happen present a world premiere with their infectious take on classic hip hop dance. You’ll also see UK choreographer Lanre Malaolu’s world premiere FOUND, a striking encounter between past and present that unravels identity and memory through movement and text. Italy’s Compagnia Bellanda bring a dynamic duet fusing breaking and contemporary styles.
In the Lilian Baylis studio Breakin’ Convention Youth presents HOMESICK, celebrating the next generation of artists. Join us for a raw, electrifying fusion of movement, spoken word, rap, and grime, reflecting how young Londoners consider their lives, environments, and sense of belonging through collective storytelling. Choreographer Marie Kaae presents her poetic solo What She Said, blending house dance and spoken word to interrogate beauty, power and identity.
FULL LINEUP
Lilian Baylis Studio
Saturday & Sunday:
4.30pm – Breakin’ Convention Youth UK
7.15pm – Marie Kaae Denmark
Sadler’s Wells Theatre Mainstage
Saturday:
6:00pm – AS Compagnie France | Compagnia Bellanda Italy | Gary Clarke UK | ILL-Abilities The Netherlands / Brazil | Let It Happen The Netherlands | Rock Force Crew USA | Y.O.U Company UK
Sunday:
6:00pm – AS Compagnie France | Ekleido UK | ILL-Abilities The Netherlands/Brazil | IMD Legion UK | Lanre Malaolu UK | Let It Happen The Netherlands | Mikee Trice UK | Rock Force Crew USA
Illustration: Benjamin Wachenje
Header image description: A dark, moody digital artwork depicting three figures with short dreadlocks and a serious expression. The man on the left covers his mouth with one hand, the middle figure grimaces while covering his eyes with both hands, and the right figure presses his hands against the sides of his head as if in distress. The background is almost entirely black, and the artwork is slightly blurred as if it was painted.
Check out Breakin’ Convention’s hip hop guide to get you ready for the world’s biggest festival of hip hop theatre!
BSL interpreted Performances
Our BSL performances are interpreted by a BSL signer. They use sign language to communicate what is sung and/or spoken by artists on stage.REAL TALK – What to expect at Breakin’ Convention
Breakin’ Convention Festival has represented the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from ‘around the world and around the corner’ for 20+ years. Hip hop sprang from urban pressures, not only as a showcase of joyful ingenuity and innovation but also as a powerful response to social and economic injustice in disregarded neighbourhoods.
Today the work in the festival touches on ever-current social themes such as discrimination, political issues and conflicts, inequality, and themes of an adult nature. For this reason, not all the performances are ‘family friendly’.
Our new PG rating
Breakin’ Convention Festival is recommended for children over 12+. This age guidance is at the discretion of the accompanying Parent/ Guardian. Our festival line-up changes until quite close to show date to ensure we can provide the most exciting performers. In the listings, look out for the PG sign for shows where parental discretion is advised.
Above all, Breakin’ Convention Festival is a celebration of the best hip hop has to offer, highlighting incredible artists from all over the world and we look forward to welcoming you to our 2026 edition at Sadler’s Wells. .
One of the world’s leading showcases of hip hop dance and dance theatre.
THE GUARDIAN
Breakin’ Convention is not just a show or a festival, it’s an experience.
BROADWAY WORLD
One helluva weekend
TIME OUT
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Performances
BSL interpreted Performances
Our BSL performances are interpreted by a BSL signer. They use sign language to communicate what is sung and/or spoken by artists on stage.BSL interpreted Performances
Our BSL performances are interpreted by a BSL signer. They use sign language to communicate what is sung and/or spoken by artists on stage.
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