Lindy in the Park
Free swing dancing every Sunday in Golden Gate Park since 1996
Lindy in the Park is a free outdoor swing dance venue held every Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, along John F Kennedy Drive between 8th and 10th Avenue.
Photo: Lisa W via Google
Before your first class
Free beginner lesson every Sunday at noon requires no experience or partner; partners rotate throughout the 30-minute class.
Wear shoes with hard rubber soles or dance sneakers; suede or leather-soled dance shoes will wear out quickly on the asphalt surface.
Street parking available around 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th Avenue; Muni 44, 5, and 38 lines serve the area.
About this studio
Lindy in the Park is a free outdoor swing dance venue held every Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, along John F Kennedy Drive between 8th and 10th Avenue. Founded in August 1996 by Lindy Hoppers Chad Kubo and Ken Watanabe, it is the longest-running swing dance venue in the San Francisco Bay Area and quite possibly the world. The event is open to dancers of all ages and levels, and operates year-round thanks to San Francisco's temperate climate. The venue closes only for rain, unhealthy air-quality days, Bay to Breakers, and unsafe times during pandemics — check the website or Facebook by 10:00 AM on Sundays for cancellations.
Every Sunday at noon, Hep Jen teaches a free 30-minute beginner swing dance lesson covering the basics of swing dancing. No experience or partner is required; partners are rotated throughout the lesson. Hep Jen started teaching this free class when she moved to San Francisco in 2004 and it continues strong. She specializes in Lindy Hop and teaches a mix of Swing, Lindy Hop, and Jazz steps. Guest instructors also lead lessons from time to time.
Lindy in the Park is run by volunteer DJs, each with a deep love for the huge variety of music available to dance to. With multiple DJs rotating through, you get a large mix of music. The DJs are well known for musical themes—you'll hear obvious holiday-related songs as well as wacky, obscure, or clever themed selections. The music ranges across jazz, blues, and swing, with sometimes a few musical surprises.
Ken Watanabe, co-founder and regular DJ, has been swing dancing since 1987 and concentrated on Lindy Hop since 1995. He has performed at Swing Camp Catalina and been a board member of the Northern California Lindy Society since 1998. Ken has taught Lindy Hop throughout the San Francisco Bay Area since 1998, including at the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville and the Metronome Ballroom in San Francisco, as well as leading workshops at the 2000 Frankie Manning Millennium Birthday Bash in Tokyo, the 2001 Lindy U. swing dance camp in Chicago, and the 2003 Japan Lindy Exchange.
The venue has space to sit, take a breather, chat with friends, and make new ones while enjoying fresh outdoor air. The dance surface is asphalt and concrete, which is hard and unforgiving—wear shoes with hard rubber soles or dance sneakers; suede or leather-soled dance shoes will wear out quickly. No partner is required to attend; you can approach others using normal etiquette ("May I...?" and "Thank you...") and find willing dance partners. The venue has been featured in the San Jose Mercury, CBS News, and KALW Radio.
What to expect
Your first visit
Arrive anytime between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM on a Sunday; free 30-minute beginner lesson starts at noon with no partner needed. Expect live DJ-curated music across jazz, blues, and swing with occasional themed selections, plenty of space to rest and socialise, and dancers of all levels rotating partners on asphalt in an outdoor park setting.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Hep Jen teaches the free weekly beginner lesson every Sunday and specializes in Lindy Hop, teaching a mix of Swing, Lindy Hop, and Jazz steps. She also teaches at the UCSF Millberry Center's Friday Swing & Lindy Hop Classes and offers private lessons. Ken Watanabe, co-founder and regular DJ, has been teaching Lindy Hop in the Bay Area since 1998 and has led workshops internationally.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
Free beginner lesson every Sunday at noon requires no experience or partner; partners rotate throughout the 30-minute class.
What to wear and bring
Before your first class
What to bring
Wear shoes with hard rubber soles or dance sneakers; suede or leather-soled dance shoes will wear out quickly on the asphalt surface. No partner required.
Studio history
Founded in August 1996 by Lindy Hoppers Chad Kubo and Ken Watanabe, Lindy in the Park is the original free swing dance party and the longest-running swing dance venue in the San Francisco Bay Area and quite possibly the world. It has now run for more than 25 years, operating every Sunday year-round thanks to San Francisco's temperate climate.
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Lindy in the Parkhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Lindy in the Park, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Lindy in the Park
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Lindy in the Park teach?
Lindy in the Park teaches Swing, Lindy Hop, Jazz. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Lindy in the Park located?
Lindy in the Park is located in San Francisco, CA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Lindy in the Park offer private lessons?
Contact Lindy in the Park directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Lindy in the Park teach kids and adults?
Lindy in the Park welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at Lindy in the Park?
The fastest path is to visit Lindy in the Park via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.
Is there parking at Lindy in the Park?
Street parking available around 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th Avenue; Muni 44, 5, and 38 lines serve the area.