NEW YORK STEPPERS BIG CITY STEPPIN' WEEKEND 2026

Welcome to the NEW YORK STEPPERS BIG CITY WEEKEND 2026 site!

Prepare to step into the heart of the city that never sleeps at the Harlem Aloft Hotel.

Join us for a weekend filled with dancing, music, and fun with fellow steppers from around the world. Whether you're a seasoned stepper or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to groove and connect with others who share the love for this dance style.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to experience the energy and culture of New York City through the art of stepping. See you there!

BIG CITY WEEKEND 2026 -- 16TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

JULY 23-26, 2026

*MUSICAL HOST DJ Shorty Smooth

*MASTER WORKSHOPS w/ Dre Blackwell & Kevin Dockery

*BROADWAY SHOW - "Joe Turner's Come & Gone" w/ Cedric the Entertainer and Taraji Henson

*UPTOWN FRIDAY NIGHT SET at the historic Alhambra Ballroom

*MAIN EVENT - Steppers Sharp semi-formal; Buffet; WLSC Prelims hosted by Pete Frazier (Majestic Gents/ Chicago)

*STEPPIN' IN CENTRAL PARK/ Historic Black Cultural Site - Summit Rock

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SCHEDULE:

THURS JULY 23rd

7:00-9:00p

BROADWAY SHOW
JOE TURNER'S COME & GONE

starring Taraji Henson, Cedric the Entertainer; Directed by Debbie Allen
The Barrymore Theater
243 W. 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
https://joeturnerbway.com/
* Weekend attendees contact Martin for our Steppers Block Tickets, (917) 302-3808, [email protected]; $80

*Separate from Weekend Pass!

7:30-12:00a

BIG CITY MEET & GREET

Harlem Aloft Hotel

2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd (&124th)

*Casual

*$30 / Free with Pass

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FRIDAY JULY 24th

6:30- 8:00p

WORKSHOP WITH A MASTER: Kevin Dockery

Adam Clayton Powell Bldg
163 W. 125th Street, 2nd Floor
Harlem, NY
*All Levels

$20/ [Not includded w/ Pass]

7:30-12:00a

UPTOWN FRIDAY NIGHT

The Alhambra Ballroom

2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

Harlem, NY

*$45/ Free w/ Pass; more ATD

12:30am-3am

AFTERSET

LOCATION TBA, Harlem

*Late-night dancin', sippin', and conversation in the heart of Harlem

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SATURDAY JULY 25th

1:00-3:00p

Welcome To Harlem Tour

Register individually at: https://www.welcometoharlem.com/

*Separate from Pass

*Please note the tour is operated independently of The New York Steppers

11:00- 12:30p

WORKSHOP with A MASTER - Dre Blackwell

Adam Clayton Powell Bldg
163 W. 125th Street
Harlem, NY
*All Levels

Harlem, NY

$20/ not included w/ Pass

1:00-4:30p

DAY PARTY

Harlem Aloft Hotel

2296 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Harlem, NY

*$30 - $10 w/ Main Event Ticket - Free w/ Pass

8:00p-2:00a

MAIN EVENT

The Alhambra Ballrom- Grand Ballroom

2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

Harlem, NY

*Steppers Sharp

*Buffet

* WLSC Prelims hosted by PETE FRAZIER/ Majestic Gents (Chicago)

*$75 / Free w/ Pass; MORE ATD

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SUNDAY JULY 26th

1:00-6:30P

STEPPIN' IN CENTRAL PARK/ SUMMIT ROCK

86th & Central Park West Entrance

(C, B to 86th St)

* Wear Your City or Club Tees

* Bring your sneakers or flats

* Lunch & Refreshments

*$30 / Free w/ Pass

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TICKETS:

EARLY BIRD WEEKEND PASS- $125 - until 3/31/26

$135 until 5/16/26

$150 after

PAY OPTIONS

1) CashApp $MartyMars2

2) Zelle 917-302-3808

For the above, please send an email to [email protected] (or text 917-302-3808) for receipt confirmation

3) Pay at BigCityWeekend2026.eventbrite.com (Fees)

TERMS:

• All Prices Subject To Go Up & be more At The Door
• All Tickets are Non-Transferable & Non-refundable
• No Exceptions

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HOST HOTEL:

HARLEM ALOFT

2296 Frederick Douglass BlvdHarlem, NY

(212) 749-4000

Discount Block (Book Now):

Single $185

Double $195

Expires 7/4/26!

Block Link:

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1763487744068&key=GRP&app=resvlink&_branch_match_id=1432890108948733442&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi3OyczLtgdK2ALZZSCOWmaKraG5mbGJhbm5iYmBmYVadmqlrXtQgFpdUWpaKlB3Xnp8UlF%2BeXFqka1zRlF%2BbioALuVBJGAAAAA%3D

(copy and paste Full Link)

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Other Hotel Options: Go to Hotels.com, Expedia, Priceline)

• Search for a Hotel close to Harlem, the Harlem Aloft, Uptown, or alternatively MidTown, the Bronx by Yankee Stadium, Ft. Lee, New Jersey, etc. Your hotel does not have to be in Harlem to get to the events by means of Uber, subway or other options in the New York City metro area. However, do not wait to book a hotel.

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TRAVEL/ AIR:

• Flying into LaGuardia (LGA) is the most convenient and closest airport to Harlem and the other Host Hotels. From LaGuardia Airport to the Aloft Hotel, a Taxi, Uber or Lift will take approximately 20 min outside rush hours. If it is your first time in NYC, we recommend this option.
• JFK and Newark airports are also options but are a further trips. If you stay in Ft. Lee or other cities across the bridge in New Jersey, Newark may be your best option.

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If you have questions or want more information about this or for any other question, please contact Martin (917) 302-3808, Devon (917) 554-6565, or Yvette (347) 775-6711.

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BIG CITY WEEKEND is the annual, national weekend event of The NEW YORK STEPPERS, the original Steppers Set of the metro area & NE. Since 2007.