You are invited to the Brindabella Regency and Victorian Dance Festival, proudly presented by Canberra’s Historic Dance Delights.

Join us in our Nation’s Capital from the 22nd to the 24th of March 2024 for a weekend celebrating the dance delights of the 19th century. The weekend will include: workshops of all sorts, a Fancy Dress Soiree, a Grand 19th century Ball, and a visit to an historical house.

We will enjoy a wide variety of dances and all dances will be taught. No dance experience or partner necessary.

Weekend Program

On Friday we'll present a wide variety of workshops and talks throughout the day on historical topics including hairstyling, sewing, music, dance and fashion. Watch out for the registration for these workshops in the next few weeks and please note some workshops may incur additional cost.

Saturday we will have a number of dance workshops in preparation for the Grand Ball. We encourage everyone to attend the workshops which will be included in the ticket price. For those who would perhaps prefer a more relaxed day there will be also space for sewing, card games and gossiping!

On Sunday we will journey out to Lanyon, a historical homestead on Canberra’s border, built in 1859. Enjoy a day of picnicking in this beautiful historic setting, and for those who are interested, there will be house tours held during the day. (House tours will be paid on the day, to Lanyon)

Attire

While costumes are not required, they are very much admired. As the weekend covers the entire 19th century both Regency and Victorian dress is acceptable. On the Friday night, we are holding a Fancy Dress Soiree. The Victorians loved to hold fancy dress balls, recreating fashions of past eras. Why not break out your favourite Renaissance or Baroque costume? On Saturday night, at our Grand 19th Century Ball, dazzle and amaze us with your 19th century ball gowns and tailcoats (tiaras and feathers optional).

What better way to celebrate your favourite Regency or Victorian protagonist? Are you a Jane or a Lydia Bennet? Are you governess Becky Sharp or Jane Eyre? We can’t all be Mr Darcy so release your inner Mr Collins. Red coats will be very much admired!

Festival Details

Date: 22nd to 24th March 2024

Location: Wesley Hall, Wesley Uniting Church, National Circuit Forrest ACT 2603

Registration: from 10:00am Friday

Friday Schedule

10:30-12:30pm Workshop session 1
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30- 3:30pm Workshop session 2
6:30-7:30pm Dinner
7:30-10:00pm 19th Century Fancy Dress Soiree

Saturday Schedule

10:30-12:30pm Dance workshop 1 (Registration not required)
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30- 4:00pm Dance workshop 2 (Registration not required)
6:30-7:30pm Dinner
7:30-11:00pm 19th Century Grand Ball (with a break for supper)

Sunday Schedule

10:30am Arrive at Lanyon
12:00pm Lunch
2:30pm Depart Lanyon

House tours with the opportunity for photographs will be available throughout the day (extra cost). There is also a beautiful garden and a number of outbuilding that can be explored.

Tickets include:

Fri-Sun Ticket

Access to Friday, Saturday and Sunday events (Please note, workshops on Friday may incur an extra cost)
Lunch and dinner on Friday
Lunch, dinner and a light supper on Saturday
Lunch and scones on Sunday
Tea, coffee, water all weekend

Sat-Sun Ticket

Access to Saturday and Sunday events
Lunch, dinner and a light supper on Saturday
Lunch and scones on Sunday
Tea, coffee, water all weekend

Sat only

Access to Saturday
Lunch, dinner and a light supper on Saturday

Ball only

Access to dinner and the 19th century ball on Saturday
Dinner and a light supper on Saturday