The annual World Professional Dancesport Championship[2] is often held in Blackpool (five times between 1989 and 2012), but is not connected with the Dance Festival.

The world's largest amateurs' dance festival is the annual Euro dance festival in Rust, Germany, where shows of professional dancers are combined with workshops for a wide range of dancers from beginners to professionals.

In recent years, the festival has embraced modern technology, offering live-streaming and online access for global audiences who are unable to attend in person.

This has expanded its reach and allowed fans worldwide to witness the artistry of competitive dance.

It was depicted in the 1996 award-winning Japanese film, Shall We ダンス?, directed by Masayuki Suo and again, in the 2004 U.S. remake Shall We Dance?.