summer camp
Best Dance & Performing Arts Summer Camps in London [2026]
15 March 2026 · 6 min read · Updated 15 March 2026
TL;DR
Summer camps in London run for 6 to 8 weeks from mid-July to late August. Dance and performing arts camps give children aged 3 to 16 a full day of choreography, drama, music and creative workshops — far more than just childcare. MOUVE by Dancing with Louise runs summer camps in Hendon NW4 from 21 July to 8 August 2026 (3 weeks), priced from £48/day or £219/week for ages 5–12. This guide covers how to compare summer camps, what a good camp day looks like, realistic pricing across London, and what makes a performing arts camp different from a generic activity club.
Key Takeaways
- MOUVE summer camp 2026 runs 21 July to 8 August in Hendon NW4 — 3 weeks of dance and performing arts
- Prices start at £48/day or £219/week for ages 5–12, and £55/day or £255/week for nursery ages 3–4
- Every camp week ends with a Friday performance for parents — children work towards a real outcome
- Look for DBS-checked staff, age-appropriate grouping, a clear daily structure, and an end-of-week performance
- Dance camps develop coordination, confidence, teamwork and creativity — not just physical fitness
- Early drop-off from 9am and late pickup until 5pm available for working parents
Summer is coming, and if you are anything like most London parents, the planning starts now. Six weeks of school holidays is a lot to fill — and "screen time and sofa" is not the plan.
A good summer camp gives your child something to look forward to. A great one gives them something they carry with them long after the holidays end: new friends, a new skill, and the memory of performing on a real stage in front of a cheering audience.
This guide covers what to look for in a summer dance and performing arts camp in London, what realistic pricing looks like, and how to tell the difference between a camp that is genuinely brilliant and one that is just filling time.
Why a Performing Arts Camp, Not Just Any Activity Club
There is nothing wrong with multi-activity camps. They serve a purpose. But a dedicated performing arts camp offers something different.
Children do not just "do activities" — they build something across the week. On Monday they learn choreography. By Wednesday they are rehearsing. By Friday they are performing in front of parents. That arc — learning, practising, delivering — teaches focus, resilience and teamwork in a way that bouncing between trampolining and archery simply cannot.
Dance and performing arts camps also reach children who would not choose a sports camp. The quiet ones. The creative ones. The ones who light up when music plays but shrink on a football pitch. These children often have their best week of the summer at a performing arts camp.
At MOUVE, every camp week ends with a Friday performance. Children as young as three stand on stage, perform what they have learned, and take a bow. For many, it is the proudest moment of their holiday.
What a Good Summer Camp Day Looks Like
Structure matters. Children thrive when they know what is coming next, and a well-organised camp runs like clockwork without ever feeling rigid.
9:00 — Early drop-off. Optional at most camps. Children arrive, settle in and have free play time before the day begins.
10:00 — Warm-up and welcome. Group games, stretching, setting the energy for the day. This is especially important for first-timers who may be nervous.
10:30–12:00 — Dance workshops. The core of the morning. Children learn choreography in rotating styles — street dance one session, ballet the next, musical theatre after that. Variety keeps energy high and lets children discover what they love.
12:00–13:00 — Lunch and chill. Packed lunches, socialising, games. This break is important, especially for younger children.
13:00–15:00 — Creative workshops and rehearsal. Afternoons are for pulling everything together — drama, choreography challenges, rehearsing for the Friday performance. This is where the week's work takes shape.
15:30 — Pickup. Standard finish time at most camps. Late pickup until 4:30 or 5pm is often available for working parents.
At MOUVE, early drop-off is available from 9am and late pickup runs until 5pm. The core day runs 10:00–15:30.
How to Choose the Right Summer Camp
Not all camps are equal. Here is what separates a genuinely good camp from one that looks good on Instagram but falls apart on the day.
Staff qualifications
Every person working with your child should have a current enhanced DBS check. Teaching staff should hold recognised dance qualifications — not just enthusiasm. Ask the question directly. A good camp will answer without hesitation.
Age-appropriate grouping
A four-year-old and a twelve-year-old need completely different things from a camp day. Look for camps that split children into age groups with dedicated staff for each. At MOUVE, groups are capped at 16 children with age-appropriate content and separate nursery provision for ages 3–4.
A clear daily structure
If the camp cannot tell you what a typical day looks like, that is a warning sign. Children — especially those attending for the first time — need routine and predictability. The best camps publish their daily structure clearly.
An end-of-week performance
This is the single biggest differentiator between a great camp and an average one. When children know they are building towards something real, their focus and effort increase dramatically. A Friday performance gives every child a moment on stage and every parent a reason to smile.
Reviews from real parents
Check Google reviews. Ask friends. Look for specific comments about how children were treated, not just generic praise. A camp with 100+ five-star reviews from parents has earned that reputation over years, not weeks.
Summer Camp Pricing in London — What to Expect
Pricing varies significantly depending on where in London you are looking and what is included.
Budget range (£25–40/day): Council-run or multi-sport activity clubs. Dance may feature as one activity among many. Staff may not be specialist dance teachers. Fine for keeping children busy, but not a performing arts experience.
Mid-range (£40–55/day): Where most dedicated dance and performing arts camps sit. Expect qualified teachers, age-appropriate groups, and an end-of-week performance or showcase. MOUVE's summer camp is priced here — £48/day for ages 5–12, £55/day for nursery ages 3–4. Full weeks are £219 and £255 respectively.
Premium (£60–90/day): West End or professional dance company camps, typically in central London. Quality is usually high, but so is the commute for families in North London. The premium often reflects the brand and location more than the content.
What to check is included: Early drop-off, late pickup, lunch provision, merchandise. At MOUVE, a free camp T-shirt is included when you book 2 or more days. Early drop-off (from 9am) and late pickup (until 5pm) are available at £10 each.
MOUVE Summer Camp 2026
MOUVE by Dancing with Louise runs summer camps in Hendon NW4, easily reached from Finchley, Mill Hill, Golders Green, Edgware, Barnet, Muswell Hill and across North London.
Dates: 21 July – 8 August 2026 (3 weeks)
Ages: 3–16, grouped by age. Nursery camp (ages 3–4) has its own dedicated programme and staff.
Hours: 10:00–15:30, with early drop-off from 9am and late pickup until 5pm.
Pricing: £48/day or £219/week (ages 5–12). £55/day or £255/week (nursery, ages 3–4).
What makes it different: Professional DBS-checked teachers, groups capped at 16, rotating dance styles (street dance, ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, drama, dance gymnastics), and a Friday performance every week. Over 20 years of running camps in Hendon. Rated 5.0 on Google from 112 parent reviews.
Book MOUVE summer camp — spaces fill fast, especially for the first week.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ section above covers the most common questions parents ask about summer camps in London. If yours is not answered, get in touch and we will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do summer camps in London run?
Most summer camps run from mid-July to late August, covering the full school summer holiday. Some offer selected weeks rather than the entire break. MOUVE's 2026 summer camp runs 21 July to 8 August (3 weeks) in Hendon NW4.
What age group are summer dance camps for?
Ages vary by provider, but most dance camps cater for ages 3 to 12, with some extending to 16. At MOUVE, nursery camp is for ages 3–4 with a gentler programme, and the main camp covers ages 5–12 with children grouped by age.
How much does a summer camp in London cost?
Expect to pay between £40 and £70 per day for a dedicated performing arts camp in London. Full-week bookings typically save 10–15%. At MOUVE, a full week is £219 for ages 5–12 (saving £21 on daily rates) and £255 for nursery.
Does my child need dance experience?
No. Summer dance camps are designed for all abilities, including complete beginners. The focus is on fun, creativity and trying new things — not auditions or prior training.
Is there a summer camp near Edgware or Finchley?
MOUVE's summer camp runs in Hendon NW4, a short drive from Edgware, Finchley, Mill Hill, Golders Green, Barnet and across North London. Free parking is available at the venue.
