Sword Dance Union Longsword Competition

The Sword Dance Union (SDU) Longsword Competition takes place in a different city each year.

In 2023 the competition comes to Sheffield on Saturday 14 October, hosted by local dance team and current title-holders, the Handsworth Sword Dancers.

Yorkshire Longsword is a traditional form of folk dance peculiar to a number of villages throughout Yorkshire, from Redcar in the north to Sheffield in the south. Over the years each village developed its own style, music and costume.

Today, longsword is danced throughout the country and around 20 teams are expected to perform and compete at the 2023 competition.

There will be public dance displays around Sheffield's city centre as well as a number of indoor competition spots, all free and open to the public to watch this fantastic local tradition.

Public displays will take place 10:30 – 13:00 at Winter Gardens, Sheffield Town Hall and in Orchard Square.

For more information visit the Handsworth Sword Dancers' website here.