Welcome to the 2026 Shanghai Dancecircle Esencia Festival hosted by DanceCircle! This post contains a detailed overview of all event information, with content updated continuously.

I. Event Highlights

Headlined by the legendary Esencia crew from Madrid, Spain; Bachata royalty Marco & Sara (the King and Queen) are flying into Shanghai alongside hall-of-fame dancers including Geneva JnJ Champion Raquel, and Gio & Josy. Top-tier dance crews from Japan and South Korea are also joining the festival, led by powerhouses such as South Korea’s Juan & Yoni, Daewoo & Dream, and Japan’s Victor & Monica, Valentino & Umi. Nearly 100 of China’s elite guest instructors will round out this star-studded lineup, with more international dancers to be announced—all gathering for an epic Bachata celebration.

🗓️ 4 Days & 3 Nights of Immersive Bachata ExperienceJuly 16-19, 2026 | Shanghai’s non-stop Bachata carnival!3 days of premium workshops to build a solid foundation, 3 days of master classes to unlock advanced techniques, and 3 nights of 100% Bachata-themed socials to ignite the dance floor. From honing your skills by day to dancing freely by night, experience the unique charm of Bachata around the clock.

🎓 Customized Bootcamps for Professional Performance LevelExclusive performance bootcamps are here!

• Marco y Sara’s Couple Performance Bootcamp: Deep dive into seamless coordination and stage expression.
• Raquel’s Ladies Styling Bootcamp: Polish the soft elegance and stylistic dynamism of female dancers, with targeted training to elevate performance skills and help dancers push their limits.

🏆 High-Octane JnJ Competition with Lucrative RewardsDual-track competition for Pro and Amateur divisions—Just One Jam (JnJ) is back and bigger than ever! Compete on the same stage, showcase your improvisation and technical skills, and claim generous rewards. This is your chance to be crowned for your passion and witness the rise of the next generation of Bachata stars.

🎨 100% Pure Bachata, an Authentic Cultural FeastNo mixed styles—just a deep dive into Bachata! From curriculum design to social themes, the festival stays true to the core of Bachata, allowing dancers to immerse themselves in the original dance culture and feel the ultimate joy of rhythm and physical expression.

🌍 Cross-Cultural Exchange, a Bridge for Dancers WorldwideGathering top dancers and enthusiasts from Spain, South Korea, Japan and China, the festival breaks down geographical barriers through dance. Spark inspiration through communication, grow together through friendly competition, and build a professional, inclusive international Bachata exchange platform.

II. Guest Lineup

🇪🇸 European Guests

Marco & Sara (Bachata King & Queen)Raquel (Geneva JnJ Champion)Gio & JosyJhersy & YuliaRamon & Andrea

🇰🇷 South Korean Guests

Juan & YoniEsencia TeamDaewoo & Dream

🇯🇵 Japanese Guests

Victor & MonicaValentino & UmiKohShin & Mai

🇨🇳 Chinese Guests

Nearly 100 elite instructorsMore guests to be announced

III. Schedule

V. Venue & Hotel Information

Banquet Hall, Family Club ShanghaiLocated at Orange Crystal Changfeng Business Hotel

Address: No.2, Lane 46, Luding Road, Putuo District, Shanghai

Hotel Reservation:

2026 SDEF Hotel Reservation & Venue Introduction

I. Venue Introduction

The venue for the 2026 Shanghai DanceCircle Esencia Festival is the Banquet Hall of Family Club Shanghai, a prime location within Shanghai’s Middle Ring Road. It’s a 12-minute walk from Weining Road Station (Metro Line 2) in the Hongqiao Business District.

Boasting an elegant, tranquil atmosphere amid the city bustle, the venue features a spacious layout and ample parking. Complete with a bar & bistro, gym, swimming pool and other facilities, it is the ideal setting for a semi-closed large-scale event.

II. Official Venue Hotel

For your convenience during the festival, we highly recommend Orange Crystal Hotel (Shanghai Changfeng Business District)(4-star), which is directly connected to the event venue.

Staying here allows quick access between your room and the venue, easy participation in the outdoor mini pool party, and a seamless one-stop festival experience

Hotel Name: Orange Crystal Hotel (Shanghai Changfeng Business District)Grade: Upscale | Opened: 2021

Double rooms and king rooms are both 650 RMB per night, breakfast not included.
Breakfast is 30 RMB per person for hotel guests and 78 RMB per person for non-hotel guests.