What to Pack for a Modern Jive Weekender
I absolutely LOVE a Modern Jive weekender. Since I went to my very first one (Ceroc Bliss at Camber Sands in November 2022), I have been hooked. Part of the fun after you’ve booked and you’re excited is working out what to pack - and this can go on for a long time if you’ve booked well in advance!
There’s something special about the energy and the feel of a weekender, especially if you’re going with other dancers you know. Obviously it is a weekend of dancing, (always great!) and you get to do lessons from different teachers with different dance styles, as well as dancing with people from all over the country. You’re probably travelling out of your area, which brings a holiday/road trip vibe to it, but there’s also something else magical - I think it is the shared excitement brings a sort of school trip or pack holiday sort of feel to it.
If you’re planning on going to your first dance weekender, here are my thoughts on what to bring.
Quick Weekender Packing Checklist
Footwear: Suede-soled shoes, backup dance trainers, dance socks.
Clothing: Your normal dance wear with at least 3 - 4 changes of dance tops per day, warm layers for walking between halls, optional fancy dress.
Dance Floor Bag: Hydration, sweat towel, fan, wire shoe brush, mini emergency kit.
Room Gear: 4-way extension lead, earplugs, eye mask, power bank, tea/coffee kit.
Footwear Essentials: How Many Pairs of Dance Shoes Do You Need?
Obviously, you don’t want to be without your favourite dance shoes. At almost every dance weekender I’ve been to, there has been at least one shoe vendor in attendance, but you don’t want to be in the position that you have to buy if you haven’t planned to - there’s no guarantee that the shoe vendor will have ones that you’re happy with.
I always bring at least three pairs of dance shoes with me on a weekender. This might sound excessive, but hear me out. I bring two pairs (just in case!) of suede sole dance shoes with a heel for lessons and for as long as I can for freestyle. Then, when my feet get sore, I change to my split sole dance trainers.
Just in case my feet get too hurty, I also bring dance socks that I can put over the top of my regular shoes. I don’t tend to wear them a lot, because I don’t have quite the control I do in proper dance shoes. But they are great for the last few hours of the final freestyle, or if you’re leaving the dance hall and your favourite song comes on - you can whip them on top of your trainers much more quickly than changing shoes - and have just one more dance! They’re only a few pounds on Amazon, and even less on Temu, so they’re a great addition for your dance bag!
Clothing Strategy: Staying Fresh from Day Workshops to Late-Night Freestyles
Again, I’m going to state the obvious. Sweating is an inevitable part of getting hot on the dancefloor, but being wet from it is not - and if you do end up dripping wet from sweat, you’re not going to be the most popular dancer on the floor! Bring plenty of changes of clothing. I overheard a dancer who was going to a weekender say that he had packed 20 T-shirts, which seemed excessive when I heard it at the time, but honestly, I applaud that. Be prepared!
Jamfest at Camber in June 2023 was insanely hot and so I changed loads more times. You can guess how many changes of clothes you need based on how much you sweat. If you’re in doubt, throw in an extra couple of tops at least. Better to have them and not need them, than having to mess around hand washing stuff.
Sparkles, bright colours and neons, t-shirts with a funny picture or phrase on them? Glitter, temporary tattoos, glow in the dark jewellery? None of this will be out of place, so indulge your inner child! Same goes for more creative makeup, especially during freestyle.
Fancy Dress Gear (Optional)
Not every weekender has a fancy dress theme, and even if they do, it isn’t mandatory. I didn’t do fancy dress for the final MJ Roc Warmwell weekender in 2025, and the majority of people didn’t. But I’m going to be Rock Bottoms in Torquay next month, and the theme for Saturday is “Mr Men and Little Miss” - I've got some costume ideas in the works!
What to Wear Off the Dance Floor (Leisurewear & Layers)
Bring whatever you’re comfortable in for the time you’re off the dancefloor - unless the dress code says otherwise, jeans, sportswear and t-shirts will be fine.
You’ll probably also want to bring a jumper or jacket for between the dancefloors and your room - especially if you’re at a venue where accommodation is in lodges or chalets. You’ll be hot coming off the dancefloor, but freezing on the walk back won’t do you any favours.
If you’re going to a weekender somewhere that there are other leisure activities available - swimming pool, dry ski slope (like Warmwell) or racket sports and you might want to do those, make sure you pack for those as well.
What To Put in Your Dance Floor Bag
Whatever bag you normally take to a freestyle - this is the bag to bring. Mine has a water bottle, a spare pair of dance shoes (usually my dance trainers), a wire brush for my shoes, deodorant, a fan, an ice towel, spray water mist, mints, make up and a hair brush, and dance socks.
I also have my “emergency” kit pouch in there, which has
Blister plasters (never needed them, but still…)
Painkillers
Ibuprofen gel
Safety pins
Paw paw balm (good for lips, nails, hair)
Tiny nail clippers and an emery board
Hair ties
Swiss army knife
Again, this is all personal choice and you definitely don’t need to have these in your bag at a weekender (or ever!) but I like knowing I’m covered for most eventualities.
If you usually have a hand towel (maybe you call it your sweat rag, or something else!) in your dance bag, I’d suggest packing at least one for each day so they don’t go smelly.
Accommodation & Room Prep
Your Wash Kit & Toiletries
The most important rule on the dancefloor? Make sure you smell good. Shower frequently, use plenty of deodorant, and reapply a little more often than you do when you’re dancing at home - those freestyle nights go long into the night! Depending on the venue, you might need to bring a towel too.
Hair and makeup stuff? Of course! Don’t forget your hair dryer, and any other hair tool and accessories you need too.
Room Extras
Check your joining information from the organisers. Some venues require you to bring bedding (Camber was one of these - and frankly, just using the beds was a bit sketchy…) and you might need spare towels.
You can go nuts at a weekender - I’ve seen people bring fairy lights and plenty of other decorations! (bonus points to the rather large… ahem, “adult toy” that was left in the window of one of the chalets at the end of one of the Ceroc weekenders we attended - yes, I do have photographic evidence!)
Here are a few bits that I make sure I throw in the car.
Phone charger - Obviously, goes without saying, especially if you’re recording lessons.
Fitbit charger - Knowing how many steps I take = bragging rights.
Bluetooth speaker - For those pre- and post-dancefloor tunes.
4-way extension lead - In case there aren't enough sockets for chargers, hair dryers, speakers, etc.
Ear plugs and eye mask - Sleep is scarce at a weekender, and tactical naps are an essential.
Over-the-door hook - Camber taught me this one, there was nowhere to hang towels! Also handy if wardrobe space is tight.
Hangers - There’s rarely enough, so if you’re bringing clothes that crease, it is worth bringing a few.
Spare bag for laundry - Keep those sweaty clothes separate to make it easier when you get home.
Antibacterial wipes - I buy one pack of biodegradable ones a year at most, don’t judge me. Wiping surfaces before snacking just makes sense!
Fuelling Up: Food and Drink Strategies
Car snacks on the journey are absolutely optional, and probably depend on how far you’re going, but they’re definitely our tradition! When you’re burning a stack of calories dancing, sweeties in the car are an acceptable indulgence I reckon.
Meals will depend on the catering at the weekender. Most of the ones I’ve done have been self-catering, and so we’ve done a big food shop on the way there, but the Rock Bottoms one next month is half board, so our food shop will mostly be snacks this time.
Room snacks are mandatory. When classes start at 10am and the dance floors don’t close until at least 2am, you need plenty of fuel. The best banana I ever had was mid-morning at my first weekender (I was starving!) so now they’re a tradition! But we always get cereal bars, sweets and chocolate to tide us over during the day, and usually we have cheese and crackers, crisps, and biscuits for late night (probably ill-advised) snacking when we’re back from the dancefloor.
I don’t drink and dance (my spins get sloppy after the second glass of wine!) but when I get back to the room I tend to have a drink or two to wind down. The dance buzz keeps me from sleeping, so I tend to bring a bottle of flavoured vodka or gin, and lemonade or tonic. I can then have as much or as little as I like, but I always end up bringing some home. I also bring a tumbler for room drinks, as hotel glasses tend to be super small.
I usually have hydration sachets or electrolytes with me too and as a minimum, I have one before bed. It helps make sure you don’t wake up with a headache - whether that’s from too much sweating and not enough hydrating, or having one too many after the dancefloor! You can take them mid-afternoon as well to help prevent muscle cramps.
I also always bring my own supply of Yorkshire Tea, milk, and my own mug - because mornings aren’t the same without them!
Have a Great Weekender!
Generally, you’re never going to be so far from civilisation that it will be a disaster if you need to nip out to a shop to grab something, but there’s so much going on that you probably won’t want to miss because you had to pop to Tesco.
Whichever one you're going to, I hope you have the best time on your weekender - let me know where you go, whether you’d go again, and what other essentials you think I should add to my list!
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