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Dance Marathon Day

A fun observance on March 31 celebrating endurance dance competitions that originated in the 1920s and revived philanthropically for fundraising, especially for children's hospitals.

Wednesday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMarch 31

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYHobbies

SUBCATEGORYPerforming Arts

ORIGIN

Community Origin

FOUNDING ENTITY

Not documented

FIRST OBSERVED

Not documented

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

No specific person or organization is documented as creating Dance Marathon Day. The holiday on March 31 commemorates the approximate end date of the first U.S. dance marathon when Alma Cummings danced continuously for 27 hours in 1923, sparking the endurance dance craze.

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INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie because March 31 is Dance Marathon Day! This fun-filled day celebrates the joy of dance and the power it has to bring people together. The first dance marathon was held in 1923 by Alma Cummings, who danced for 27 hours straight with her partner. Since then, dance marathons have become popular fundraising events for various causes. Whether you're a professional dancer or just love busting a move in your living room, this day is all about letting loose and having a good time. So let's keep the party going all day long!

TIMELINE

Dance Marathon Day Timeline

First Reported Dance Marathon

The first known dance marathon took place in Audubon, New Jersey, though they increased in popularity during the Great Depression.

Alma Cummings Sets Record

Alma Cummings, a famous dance marathon competitor, danced for a total of 27 consecutive hours, setting a world record.

First Penn State THON

Penn State holds its first THON, a student-run philanthropy event where students dance for 46 hours straight to raise money for pediatric cancer.

Rackham Graduate School Event

Rackham Graduate School holds a 30-hour dance marathon, raising funds for C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital.

Largest Dance Marathon

The University of Iowa's Dance Marathon sets the record for the largest event to date, raising over $3 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Dance Marathon Day

Host a dance party

Gather some friends and throw a dance party to celebrate Dance Marathon Day! Put on some upbeat music, break out your best moves, and have a blast with your friends.

ATTEND

Attend a dance performance

Support your local dance community by attending a dance performance on Dance Marathon Day. You'll not only be celebrating the art of dance, but also supporting talented dancers in your community.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a dance marathon

Find a local charity or organization that is hosting a dance marathon and sign up to participate. You'll have a blast dancing all day while also raising money for a good cause.

LEARN

Learn a new dance style

Challenge yourself to learn a new dance style on Dance Marathon Day. You can take a class, watch online tutorials, or even just learn from a friend. It's a great way to expand your dance skills and celebrate the day.

JOIN

Join a flash mob

Gather a group of friends and plan a flash mob to perform on Dance Marathon Day. It's a fun and unexpected way to celebrate and spread joy through dance in your community.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Dance Marathon Day

It brings people together

Dancing is a universal language that can bring people from all backgrounds together. Whether you're participating in person or virtually, Dance Marathon Day allows communities to come together for a common cause and celebrate the joy of dance.

It's for a good cause

Dance Marathon Day is all about raising money and awareness for charitable causes, often related to children's health and wellness. By participating in this event, you are helping make a positive impact on the world - and what's better than that?

It's a fun way to get active

What better way to stay active and get some exercise than by dancing? Dance Marathon Day encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in dance parties or marathons, making it a great opportunity to have fun while also staying healthy!