Your First MWM Fest: Exactly What to Expect on the Day

So you're coming to your very first MWM Fest…and if there's a little flutter of "but what actually happens?" going on, let me put your mind at rest right now.

First times are always a bit nervy, aren't they? New place, new faces, not quite knowing the run of things. Totally normal. So grab a cuppa and let me walk you through exactly what the day looks like, so you can rock up on Thursday 13th August feeling excited rather than wondering what you've signed up for.

Here's the lovely bit to know straight away: there's nothing to "get right" at MWM Fest. No competition. No marks. No pressure. No comparison. Just one beautiful day built around the three things we care about most… Movement, Mindset and Community. That's it. That's the whole vibe 🌟

When you arrive

You'll roll into Brackengarth (gorgeous spot, free parking on site, no faffing about) and the very first thing you'll get is a warm welcome from a friendly face - Meg and the MWM Team.

This is a small, cosy day on purpose. Last year we sold out, and we're keeping it to around the same numbers this time, so it never feels like a big overwhelming event where you're lost in a crowd. You'll be put at ease the moment you walk in, I promise.

Dancers who arrived a bit quiet last year were buzzing within the hour. That's just what happens here 💛

What your dancer will actually be doing

Here's the thing that surprises a lot of first-timers…it's not a full day of drilling or working out.

It's all about what happens behind the dancing. The stuff that actually makes a dancer perform at their best. Think pilates, confidence building, and movement work that helps the body do what the dancer's asking of it. And it's all done in the most fun, relaxed, completely non-competitive way.

Your dancer will be looked after by our brilliant team along the way:

• Annabelle, our Mindset Coach, on all the head stuff 🧠
• Isla, our Movement Coach, keeping bodies happy and strong 💪
• Lily, our Projects and Events Co-ordinator, making the whole day tick along smoothly
• And our VA Aisling, who has never danced a step in her life and is fully braced for the shock 😂

Friendly, approachable, and so easy to chat to. Last year's dancers said exactly that.

What parents get to do

Now, this isn't a drop-and-dash where you sit in the car park for six hours.

There are parent sessions and Q&As running through the day, all about understanding what your dancer actually needs from you, especially through the pressure of a long season. Parents last year said it was genuinely relaxing, and they came away seeing things completely differently.

It's also a rare chance to breathe, meet other dance parents who get it, and remember you're not doing any of this on your own. Loads of mums and dads exhaled properly for the first time in months 🥹

The festival bits 🎉

Because it's a FEST, not a seminar. So woven through the whole day you've got:

• Live music 🎶
• A BBQ to keep everyone fed
• Face paints for the wee ones
• Lawn games
• And just a gorgeous, laid-back festival feeling all round

It's a proper day out. The kind where the learning sneaks in without anyone really noticing, because they're too busy having fun.

What to bring 🎒

Right, the practical bit. Here's your little packing list so nobody's caught out.

For dancers:

• Runners and comfy dancewear
• Water bottle and snacks
• Hair ties, suncream and a light rain jacket (Belfast in August… you know the drill 😅)
• A yoga mat
• Good energy and an open mind

For parents:

• A notepad and pen for the parent sessions
• Any questions you've been wanting to ask for the Q&As

That's it. No costumes, no wig, no nerves required 💚

Getting there

Brackengarth, Ballycoan Road, Belfast, BT8 8LP.

• By car: free parking on site for everyone, just pop the postcode in.
• By bus: the No. 13 from Belfast Grand Central Station, hop off at Purdysburn (86 to 90 Ballycoan Road).
• By plane: George Best Belfast City Airport is 25 minutes away, Belfast International about 35, and Dublin Airport around an hour and a half.

And if you're travelling in from across the water, here's a little tip… loads of families turn it into a long weekend and make a proper trip of Belfast. Flights are more affordable than people expect (Manchester, Birmingham and London all tend to land around the £50 to £90 return mark), so it's well worth a look ✈️

How you'll feel by the end

This is my favourite part to talk about.

You'll leave lighter. Your dancer will leave reconnected to why she started, confident in herself and not just her results, and excited for what's coming next instead of dreading it. And you'll head home having actually enjoyed a day together, no results in sight.

That feeling… a dancer lit up and loving it again… is the entire reason MWM Fest exists 💚

Ready for your first one?

Here's everything in one place:

• 📅 Thursday 13th August 2026
• 📍 Brackengarth, Ballycoan Road, Belfast, BT8 8LP
• 🎟️ Tickets: Standard £125 (1 dancer + 1 adult) or Family £215 (2 dancers + 2 adults, and honestly the best value one). You can add an extra dancer or adult for £70 each.

One quick heads-up so you don't get caught out: prices go up on 1st July. After that, Standard jumps to £145 and Family to £240, so it's well worth locking in your spot before then. We sold out last year, and with limited space this time, the early birds tend to win 😉

👉 Grab your tickets here: https://www.movewithmeg.co.uk/mwm-fest-2026

That's it. That's the whole day. Nothing to be nervous about and everything to look forward to. I genuinely cannot wait to see you at Brackengarth.