Sweat and Dust Country Festival
The premier country dance festival in Rome, held in Ostia Antica
About Sweat and Dust
The Old West comes to the Roman coast
Every June, the Villaggio Equestre La Macchiarella, nestled in the Lazio Coastal Park in Ostia Antica (Municipality of Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital), transforms into a small American frontier. Sweat and Dust began as the capital's first true festival dedicated to country dancing and, in just a few editions, has become a national benchmark, attracting dancers from all over Italy and more than twenty European countries.
Nine hectares dedicated to dance
The equestrian complex offers nine hectares and four fully illuminated arenas, surrounded by an 800-meter ring. The heart of the event is the massive wooden dance floors—over 1,800 square meters of parquet where various country dance disciplines take place non-stop.
- Traditional Line Dance — the line dances that made the country style famous worldwide.
- Two Step — the elegant partner dance set to American country music.
- Catalan Style — the Iberian variant full of kicks and heel work.
- Square Dance — quadrilles for four couples guided by the caller's voice.
Workshops, competitions, and shows
The program alternates workshops with international choreographers, competitions such as The Best of Dance and the Windrose Challenge, level-based DJ sets (from beginner to advanced), and live performances. Between dances, visitors can stroll through the western market, where vendors offer boots, hats, clothing, and accessories hard to find elsewhere.
More than just dancing
The festival's format is designed for non-dancers as well: entry to the Equestrian Village and the Street Food area is free, featuring over a hundred culinary offerings, a Beer Festival, and After Hours evenings with live acoustic music. It is a western-style gathering that combines sports, music, good food, and conviviality just a stone's throw from the excavations of Ostia Antica and the Roman coast.
A Lazio event with international reach
With its sporting focus and the participation of schools and clubs from across Europe, Sweat and Dust is now one of the most important country events in Central Italy and a showcase for the Lazio Region in the world of line dancing.
Sweat and Dust — edition 2026
The fifth edition of Sweat and Dust enlivened the Villaggio Equestre La Macchiarella in Ostia Antica (Rome) from June 12 to 14, 2026. Three days of country dancing on over 1,800 square meters of parquet, with workshops led by international choreographers, the The Best of Dance competition in its fifth year, the Windrose Challenge, level-based DJ sets, and live performances. Around the dance floors, the western market, the Beer Festival, and a large street food area completed the Old West gathering atmosphere.
Programme Sweat and Dust 2026
Friday, June 12 — PalaDust (main floor)
- 16:00 — DJ set (all levels)
- 17:30 — Talent Scout Workshop
- 18:30 — DJ set (beginners/intermediates)
- 20:00 — Workshop with Virginie Barjaud
- 21:00 — The Best of Dance (team draw)
- 21:30 — DJ set (all levels)
- 00:00 — Fabrizio Sartini live
- 01:00 — Closing
In parallel, DJ playlists alternate on the El Dorado floor, while Square Dance, Two Step, and Line Dance practice sessions take place on the Square/Two-Step/Line Dance floor from afternoon to evening.
Saturday, June 13 — PalaDust
- 09:00 — United Countries Trials
- 13:00 — Workshop with Stefano Civa
- 15:00 — Masterpiece Reborn with Edu Roldon
- 18:30 — Workshop with Adriano Castagnoli
- 19:30 — The Best of Dance (competition)
- 20:30 — Staff presentation and voting
- 22:30 — DJ set (all levels)
- 00:30 — Fabio Canu live
- 01:30 — Closing
Throughout the day, The Best of Dance trials with the choreographers' teams (Teddy's Team Yosemite, Virginie's Team Rocky Mountain, Adriano's Team Yellowstone, Stefano's Grand Canyon) take place on the El Dorado and Square/Two-Step floors, alternating with DJ sets and Square Dance and Two Step sessions.
Sunday, June 14 — PalaDust
- 10:00 — Top 20 Playlist
- 11:30 — Workshop with Teddy Fournet
- 15:00 — Windrose Challenge
- 16:00 — Square Dance Workshop
- 17:00 — Best of Catalan Style
- 20:30 — Jay Santilli live (Australia) with Italian Square Dance Band
- 23:30 — Festival closing
DJ sets were color-coded by level: green (beginners), yellow (intermediates), red (advanced).
Highlights Sweat and Dust 2026
Prices Sweat and Dust 2026
Practical information — Sweat and Dust
Getting there
The Villaggio Equestre La Macchiarella is located at Via della Macchiarella 89, in Ostia Antica (Rome), within the Lazio Coastal Park. By car, it can be reached via the Via del Mare / Via Ostiense and the Rome-Fiumicino highway; by train, take the Rome-Lido line (Ostia Antica stop) and continue with local transport.
Entry and passes
Entry to the Village and the Street Food area is completely free. Access to the dance floors and competitions is reserved for dancers with a pass, available for pre-sale on the official website.
Camper area
A camper area is available for €30 per day, including a pitch with electricity and water hookups and access to shower facilities. A restaurant, bar, and services are available on-site.
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Where does it take place — Sweat and Dust
Villaggio Equestre La Macchiarella
Via della Macchiarella 89, 00119 Roma