UK Happenings

DanceBlue announces date for 2026 dance marathon

Graphic reading “Save the Date: DanceBlue 2026.” Students onstage hold fundraising total signs amid a cheering crowd. The 24-hour event begins 8 p.m. April 18.
The 2026 DanceBlue Marathon will be Saturday, April 18, through Sunday, April 19, from 8 p.m. to 8 p.m. Graphic provided by DanceBlue.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 6, 2026)  — DanceBlue has announced the date for the 2026 24-hour dance marathon. The annual event, which serves as the culmination of a year-long fundraising effort, will begin 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, running through 8 p.m. Sunday, April 19.

Although the marathon date is set, the location for this year’s event remains a surprise. DanceBlue will reveal the venue at a later date, continuing the momentum of a season dedicated to supporting the patients and families of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

The 24-hour marathon is a testament to the resilience of the University of Kentucky student body and the clinic patients they serve. Dancers will remain standing and awake for the full duration of the event to honor those fighting pediatric cancer. Throughout the marathon, participants will engage in various activities, learn the annual line dance and celebrate the total amount of funds raised throughout the year.

This announcement follows a successful season of community engagement and fundraising. DanceBlue encourages all students, alumni and community members to mark their calendars as the organization prepares for its most impactful event of the year. Check @uk_danceblue on social media for the upcoming location reveal and additional event details.

DanceBlue is a UK student-run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon. More than $23 million has been raised since 2006, making DanceBlue one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the Southeastern Conference. For more information about DanceBlue, registration information or to support its efforts, visit www.danceblue.org and connect with DanceBlue on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

At the University of Kentucky, students are at the center of all that we do. From the moment you become a Wildcat through graduation and beyond, the Office for Student Success is committed to supporting you. Comprised of more than 40 units, the office is united by one vision — to help students live a life of meaning and purpose. Student Success designs and delivers unparalleled services and supports a community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success, this is what we do — this is who we are. Explore Student Success resources.