Quinceañera Dances 101

Quinceañera dances are a huge part of the quince celebration. Dancing at your quinceañera is a tradition that literally represents your transition into adulthood. Traditionally, girls were not allowed to dance with a young man until they reached the age of 15. Nowadays with school dances and times changing, we see that this is not true for most girls. However, it is still a large part of the quinceañera tradition because of what it symbolizes.

Remember the purpose of your dance: being presented as a young woman to your friends, family, and all of society. When you plan out your dances, you need to keep this purpose in mind. Your quinceañera dances should represent all the most important aspects of your life; your beliefs, your values, and your relationships. So, the people you choose to be your chambelanes and damas help you represent those relationships and values as well.

This dance is a special way for you to say thank you to the father figure in your life. If you have more than one father figure, you can dance with all of them! Your story is unique, so your dances should be as well. One of the most popular quinceañera traditions is the Changing of Shoes, which sometimes takes place during or before this dance. The quinceañera traditionally wears flats during the ceremony. Then, at the reception, before the first dance, the quinceañera’s father (or another special family member) will change the quinceañera’s shoes from flats to her new high heels. This is another perfect way to symbolize the quinceañera’s transition from childhood to adulthood!

When you dance with your father, grandfather, or other father figure, you have the chance to choose a meaningful song to represent their influence in your life. Some quinceaneras choose to coordinate a dance with their father figure, while others do a simple slow dance- the choice is totally yours! If you want to make it a little more special, you can play a slideshow of photos while you dance!

Your quinceañera dance is also symbolic- it should focus on you and your journey through life. The style of your dance will be determined by the song you choose. If you have a special song you’ve already thought of, then let the song lead your dance ideas. If you’re still thinking of songs, try to find one that is meaningful to you and represents something important about you.

Your court will be helping you with this dance. The most popular choice for the quinceañera dance is dancing a waltz. Some quinces also choose a modern dance style, or model a dance after their quince theme. Whichever type of dance you choose, your court will likely need to learn it in order to perform with you at your quince, so you will need to practice!

Now comes the real fun! While all the dances are about representing yourself and your story, this is the one where you should let your crazy, silly, awesome side show! Your surprise dance can be literally however you want it to be. Many surprise dances feature a combination of two different styles- sometimes representing the combination of two different cultures!

Whatever you choose, you will likely be dancing with your damas, your chambelanes, or both. We have even seen some surprise dances that the quinceañera’s mother joins in on! Usually the quinces and her court change into different outfits for the surprise dance. This is because it is usually a fast-paced dance that is hard to do in formalwear. Your surprise dance clothing should match the style of your dance. For example, if your dance uses hip-hop elements, you can deck out your court in Nike gear and sweats. If you are looking for something cute for your damas to wear during the surprise dance, check out these awesome bomber jackets and more in our shop!

Instead of a surprise dance, or sometimes just as a fun extra, quinceaneras have a dollar dance. This is a Latino Wedding tradition that we have seen in a lot of quinces lately, especially quinceaneros. The dollar dance is usually a longer waltz, where the quinceanera dances with many different people. Anyone who wants a turn dancing with her can come up and pin a dollar to her dress.

Are you feeling a little more confident in planning your dances? While the dances are a huge part of your reception, you shouldn’t let the stress get to you. Remember, the whole thing is supposed to be fun! Find ways to express yourself through your dances and don’t feel pressured to overcomplicate things. Your guests will be thrilled to see you dance however you choose to! Read on for Do-It-Yourself Quinceañera Dance Choreography!

Now that you have some ideas for your choreography, it’s time to start shopping for the perfect Quinceanera dress! Shopping for your Quinceaera dress should be a breeze! A queen like you deserves the royal treatment whether she’s buying a new dress online or shopping secondhand. At Queenly, we’ve committed ourselves to promoting sustainable fashion while making it affordable for everyone. Join our community of Queens who have listed outfits in their online closet. It’s as easy as signing up for a free account, snapping some pics, and uploading the details- that’s it!