Pull Up to Burn City for a weeklong immersion of Dancehall dance, music, and culture! Proudly presented by Jungle City and the Aus Dancehall Dance Community!

The inaugural Aus Dancehall Fest is a celebration of the roots and culture of Jamaican Dancehall, and a platform for Australian based dancer, DJs, and Creatives to showcase their talents and grow our local community.

Over seven days lovers of Dancehall from across the country will congregate in Naarm to broaden their knowledge, be inspired, and connect through the power of this phenomenal sub-culture at a series of events, parties, competitions, and workshops. The festival program will include local and interstate talent and feature Jamaican and International guest presenters, pioneers, and creators.

Dancehall – for those who don’t know – is a sub-culture seeded on the Streets of Kingston, Jamaica, that over the past few decades has become a global life force of raw, uncensored Vibez, touching the hearts of people from all walks of life, and from every continent on Earth. Often mis-represented and watered down by pop-culture trends, the Aus Dancehall Fest is an opportunity for those seeking to ‘appreciate’ Dancehall as authentically as possible – outside of Jamaican – to connect with our local grass-roots community and learn from Jamaican and International guest pioneers and cultural ambassadors. 

Aus Dancehall Fest 2025 is proudly presented by Jungle City & the Aus Dancehall Dance Community in collaboration with Vybe Nation WA, Sydney Dancehall Community, Nfuze Events, and Powered by Maza. 

Our Festival sponsors include Jamaican Dance & Culture Entertainment, Cypher Culture, Melbourne Arts Centre, Section 8, The Real Jerk, Jamaican Music & Food Festival (JMFF), Heavy Congress, Whine N Grind, Robin Clare, Who Speaks Australia, Zentara AI, Passion Studios and KISS FM!

The 2025 Aus Dancehall Fest takes place in Naarm / Melbourne from 7 – 12 October and includes the following events :

Tue 7 Oct 7pm – 10pm at The Showroom, Arts Centre Melbourne

“Yard & Abroad” – Dancehall Roots & Culture to the Global Stage,’ panel discussion & screening of videography entries for the 2025 Aus Dancehall concept video competition. The panel will feature local, Interstate, and International Jamaican dancers, and creatives. 

Wed 8 Oct 7pm – 8:30pm at Jungle City Studio, Preston

“Roots & Culture” Dancehall workshops with Jamaican Dancehall creators & cultural ambassadors (All levels welcome – beginner friendly).

Thu 9 Oct 6pm – 1am at Section 8, CBD

The Official Opening Party for the Aus Dancehall Fest will take place at Section 8 – Naarm’s NO#1 outdoor venue to Street Dance culture. The Night will be dubbed “Queenz of Burncity” and will pay homage to Burncity’s Female veteran Selectors who nurtured a generation of Dancehall in Naarm from the early 2000’s to present day, including Selector’s Trouble Mekka, Bellyas, Sista Sara, Itations, and the Bad Gyal herself Quashani Bahd.

Fri 10 Oct 4:30pm – 5:30pm / 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Jungle City studio, Preston

“RICE & PEAS” Dancehall party Fi di Youths dem! Two back-to-back interactive Dancehall workshops for 4–7-year-olds at 4:30pm, and 8–12-year-olds at 5:30pm. Hosted by our youth mentee group Culture Queenz Rice & Peas will be featured as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival 2025.

Fri 10 Oct 8pm – 1am at Aces Bar, Brunswick East

“Aus Dancehall DJ Clash” and “Dancehall Royalty” party will feature a live battle between Dancehall Selectors and DJ’s from across the country flexing their skills and knowledge of old through to new skool Dancehall. Our judging panel will include Melbourne Reggae and Dancehall veterans Jesse I, Stick Mareebo, and hosted by Zare Demus. The theme of the night, and dress code is ‘Dancehall Royalty’ with prizes awarded to the Best dressed Dancehall Queen and King of the night.

Sat 11 Oct 12pm – 5pm at Howler, Brunswick

Dancers from across the country compete for the 2025 titles of: “Aus Dancehall Queen”, “Best solo Dancehall Dancer”, and “Best Dancehall dance crew”. The Judging panel will include both interstate & international Jamaican Dancehall pioneers and creators. Winners will receive cash prizes, and the winning Dancehall Queen will qualify for the International Dancehall Queen Mecca competition held in Kingston, Jamaica on Jan10th 2026.

Sat 11 Oct 10pm – late at Chaise Lounge, CBD

Official Aus Dancehall Dance Competition After Party in partnership with Whine N Grind. Featuring local & interstate DJ’s playing all eras of Dancehall, plus live performances by our Aus Dancehall Fest competition winners. 

Sun 12 Oct 1pm – 7pm – Aus Dancehall Dance Camp, Jungle City studio, Preston

Our official day for Dancehall dance workshops with guest Dancehall instructors from Jamaica, Europe, the USA, and of course Australia. Workshops will be open level aimed at intermediate dancers looking to build their skills, knowledge, and repertoire in all categories of Dancehall dance.