Prizes
Rawkus City 26 - Portsmouth Hip Hop Festival

Portsmouth's Hip-Hop Festival · FREE ENTRY

Portsmouth becomes the beating heart of hip-hop on the south coast. A weekend of artistic conference, festival, battles and skills development. Built by the culture, open to everyone.

Full programme details coming soon
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Event Partners

SAVE THE DATE
12th & 13th SEPTEMBER 2026
Rawkus City Partners Rawkus City Partners

Rawkus City 26

Raw. Alive.
Community-rooted.

The only free festival on the south coast dedicated to hip-hop dance and hip-hop theatre.

Rawkus City is a celebration of street culture, creativity and community.

From explosive battles and world-class performances to taster workshops, cyphers and artist development opportunities, Rawkus City brings together dancers, artists, families and culture lovers from across the UK and beyond.

Whether you're a seasoned dancer, an emerging artist, or simply curious to experience the energy of hip-hop first hand, you'll find something here that moves you.
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▶ WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER
6+
Performances
3
Battle Categories
FREE
Entry
6
Participation zones
🚌 FREE Bus Travel in Portsmouth is free for all passengers every weekend in September in Portsmouth.

View details here

Cypher circle from above

Day 1: Saturday 12th September

Micro Conference for Movement Artists

Talks, discussions and networking sessions for experienced dance and performance artists, plus creatives from any art form looking to collaborate with dancers. Share ideas with fellow practitioners, explore new practices and build connections. Full programme details coming soon.

→ Motus Lab artists registration → Ideas Cypher Micro Conference

Sunday 13th September

Rawkus City Festival

Prize pot →
Cypher<br> Jam

Cypher
Jam

  • Lino + mats
  • Open whole day for anyone to get down and dance
Battle<br> Categories

Battle
Categories

  • 4vs4 Breaking Crew
  • 2vs2 Open Styles
  • 1vs1 Open Style Under 16s
  • Exhibition Invites
Professional<br>Performances

Professional
Performances

  • °UP: Violin vs Football by Le Phare (view credits ℹ️)

    Artistic Director and Choreographer: Fouad Boussouf

    Performers: Gabriel Majou and Paul Molina

    Musician and Composer: Gabriel Majou

    Lighting Design: Romain Perrillat-Collomb

    Costumes: Salina Dumay

    Production: Le Phare - Centre chorégraphique national du Havre Normandie

    Coproduction: Équinoxe, Scène Nationale de Châteauroux; Mission Danse de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

    Support and Residencies: Service Culturel de Magny-les-Hameaux, Institut Français du Maroc, and Théâtre Riad Sultan, Tangier (Morocco).

    Le Phare - CCN du Havre Normandie receives support from the French Ministry of Culture (DRAC Normandy), the Normandy Region, the City of Le Havre, and the Seine-Maritime Department.

  • Hip-Hop Dance Theatre
  • Word Of Mouth
  • DJ Sets
Workshop<br> Tasters

Workshop
Tasters

  • Drop In
  • For all levels and abilities
  • Beginners welcome
+ More announcements coming soon.
Cypher circle from above

Step in the square

Battles open for everyone

Register early to secure your place. Inclusive categories with cash prizes.

£1,000
4vs4 Breaking Crew
£400
2vs2 Open Styles
£100
1vs1 Open Styles Under 16s
Register to take part

Step up and get paid

Dance Battle Prizes

Cash prizes and a place on our social wall of fame.

Total Prize Pot
£1,500!

4 vs 4 Breaking Crew

£1,000
  • Ages Any
  • Gender Any

Register here

2 vs 2 Open Styles

£400
  • Ages Any
  • Gender Any

Register here

1 vs 1 Open Styles U16

£100
  • Ages under 16
  • Gender Any

Register here

Run of Show

The schedule (TBC)

From 12 Noon
Festival open with Cyphers running all day
Cypher Area
Full running order released closer to the day. Check back soon.

Day 1 - Micro Conference

  • When: 10:30am - 6pm, Saturday 12th Sept. 2026
  • Where: The Luminarium at Victoria Park
  • Who: Micro Conference for artists and creatives.

Day 2 - Rawkus City Festival

  • When: 12noon - 9pm, Sunday 13th Sept. 2026
  • Where: Portsmouth Guildhall Square
  • Who: Everyone welcome. Family friendly. Always free!