One Dance UK Awards 2026 celebrating the dance sector in Bradford

The UK dance sector came together last weekend as the One Dance UK Awards 2026 lit up Bradford with a powerful night of celebration, connection and pride.

Held on Saturday 7 February 2026, the awards brought artists, educators, practitioners, producers, researchers and champions from across the country together to honour the people and projects shaping the UK’s vibrant dance landscape. More than a ceremony, the evening was a joyful meeting point for the sector, a chance to reconnect, reflect and celebrate collective achievement across performance, education, health, community practice and innovation.

The night was presented by One Dance UK Chief Executive Andrew Hurst alongside the dazzling Sabbiyah Pervez, Reporter for BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, who brought warmth, insight and sparkle to the stage, guiding audiences through an evening of recognition and celebration.

Thrilling live performances on Harlequin Floors powered the night, keeping energy levels high from start to finish. Audiences were treated to an explosive performance from Bradford’s very own breakers, Clean North Crew, followed by Kathak and contemporary movement artistry from the incredible Rhythmosaic. The evening closed on a high with the high-energy Bhangra sounds of Punjabi Roots & MC, who had the entire room on its feet and celebrating together.

With delicious food, inspiring stories and packed rooms of peers and collaborators, the Awards captured the spirit of a sector proudly celebrating itself and the people driving dance forward.

The evening concluded with recognition of this year’s outstanding award recipients, whose work continues to push boundaries, create change and champion dance across the UK.

The 2026 Award Recipients:

• Advancing Dancer Healthcare Award: Dancing Beyond, Rachael Kuik
• Research in Dance Award: Alice Marshall (Vale)
• Dance for Health Award: Scottish Ballet (SB Health)
• Young People’s Dance Champion Award: Arunima Kumar BEM
• Community Champion Award: Carrie Washington, BEEE Creative
• Dance Sector Spotlight Award: Stephanie Hellewell Baird, Move Orkney
• Dance Changemaker Award: Care to Dance
• Green Dance Award: Move Orkney
• Artistic Innovation in Dance Award: Dam Van Huynh
• People’s Choice Award: Motionhouse
• The Bob Lockyer Award for Digital or Content Creation: CoDa Dance
• The Jane Attenborough Award: Clare Connor

With thanks to Silver Sponsor Harlequin Floors and Bronze Sponsor Equity for their support in making the evening possible.