Breakin’ Convention International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre

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Three men with dreadlocks in a dark setting, each covering a different part of their face—mouth, eyes, and ears.

Fuel your soul this spring with Breakin’ Convention, the world’s biggest festival of hip hop theatre. Hosted and curated by Jonzi D, the festival features the freshest works from your favourite artists.

Get bank holiday ready for jaw-dropping performances, live DJs, dance workshops, graffiti, emcees, and spontaneous cyphers all over Sadler’s Wells in an unforgettable experience. Welcoming all hip hop heads from the old school to the new school.

Illustration: Benjamin Wachenje

Header image description: A dark, moody digital artwork depicting three figures with short dreadlocks and a serious expression. The man on the left covers his mouth with one hand, the middle figure grimaces while covering his eyes with both hands, and the right figure presses his hands against the sides of his head as if in distress. The background is almost entirely black, and the artwork is slightly blurred as if it was painted.

Our guide to Hip Hop
Check out Breakin’ Convention’s hip hop guide to get you ready for the world’s biggest festival of hip hop theatre!

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Plan your visit

Group bookings

Recommended for ages 12+

Content Warnings Find out more about content warnings and audience advice for this presentation.

REAL TALK – What to expect at Breakin’ Convention

Breakin’ Convention Festival has represented the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from ‘around the world and around the corner’ for 20+ years. Hip hop sprang from urban pressures, not only as a showcase of joyful ingenuity and innovation but also as a powerful response to social and economic injustice in disregarded neighbourhoods.

Today the work in the festival touches on ever-current social themes such as discrimination, political issues and conflicts, inequality, and themes of an adult nature. For this reason, not all the performances are ‘family friendly’.

Our new PG rating

Breakin’ Convention Festival is recommended for children over 12+. This age guidance is at the discretion of the accompanying Parent/ Guardian. Our festival line-up changes until quite close to show date to ensure we can provide the most exciting performers. In the listings, look out for the PG sign for shows where parental discretion is advised.

Above all, Breakin’ Convention Festival is a celebration of the best hip hop has to offer, highlighting incredible artists from all over the world and we look forward to welcoming you to our 2025 edition at Sadler’s Wells. .

One of the world’s leading showcases of hip hop dance and dance theatre.
THE GUARDIAN

Breakin’ Convention is not just a show or a festival, it’s an experience.
BROADWAY WORLD

One helluva weekend
TIME OUT

Freestyle Funk Forum

Lillian Baylis Studio
Saturday at 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Freestyle Funk Forum is an hour of improvised theatre in hip hop’s answer to ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’.

No two shows are ever the same in this spontaneous collection of skits, brought to life through the elements of hip hop from dance and beatboxing to turntablism and rap.

Freestyle Funk Forum will take place on Saturday and is scheduled around the mainstage performances so they do not clash. Drop in on the day – entry is free of charge with your Festival ticket.