Welcome to Flying Home 2026! We're so glad you're here. Whether this is your first dance weekend or you've flown with us before, we can't wait to dance, learn, laugh, and build community with you in Carrboro, NC, October 23 to 25.
Here's a quick look at what's happening all weekend.
Main dances at the Carrboro Century Center
Intro lessons on Friday and Saturday at 7 PM. No partner or experience needed.
Friday, October 23 | 8–11 PM
Mint Julep Jazz Band
Intro lesson at 7 PM with Edric & Imani
Saturday, October 24 | 8–11 PM
Keenan McKenzie and the Riffers
Intro lesson at 7 PM with Naga & Lindsay
Switch Mix and Match finals around 9 PM
Sunday, October 25 | 7–9 PM
Farewell dance with DJ Omar
Newcomer Mix and Match finals at 8 PM
Late nights at The ArtsCenter
Friday and Saturday | 11 PM–3 AM
Good music, silly competitions, and grilled cheese. Tips for the cheese fund are welcome but not required. Please go easy on the cheese. Overstuffed sandwiches have taken out more than one of our presses.
Classes
Classes start at 11:30 AM on Saturday, and Sunday electives start at 11:30 AM. Wherever you are in your Lindy Hop journey, there's a class for you. On Sunday at 4 PM, Hannah & Tim lead the Secret Solo Delight all-together.
Brand new to swing? The Saturday beginner track is made for you. Check in at 11:15 AM at the Carrboro Elementary School gym, and your first class starts at 11:30. No partner or experience needed, and parking is on site and free.
Competitions
Fun, low pressure, and high energy.
Fanciest Feet: A solo jazz showdown at the Friday late night, 12:30 AM.
Switch Mix and Match: Register by 2:15 PM Saturday. Prelims at 5 PM, finals with the band around 9 PM.
Fastest Feet: The tempo keeps climbing at the Saturday late night, 12:30 AM.
Newcomer Mix and Match: Register by 2:30 PM Sunday. Prelims at 5 PM, finals at the farewell dance at 8 PM.
Our honored guests
We're proud to welcome Lindy Hop legends David Butts and Debra Youngblood. They helped carry the legacy of Lindy Hop from its origins in Harlem to the world. Join them for two lunch talks at the Carrboro Century Center:
Saturday, 1 PM: "How Their Partnership Began"
Sunday, 1:15 PM: "What's Old is Now New"
Social hours at Haw River Tap & Table
Organizers Social Hour | Friday, 7–8 PM: For scene leaders, instructors, and anyone building a swing dance community or thinking about it. No organizing experience needed, just interest.
Black Lindy Hoppers Meetup | Saturday, 5:30–6:30 PM: Open to Black dancers and folks who identify as part of the African diaspora. A space to gather and celebrate a legacy that belongs to you. Drop in whenever you can.
LGBTQIA+ Social Hour | Saturday, 6:45–7:45 PM: Meet each other, relax before the evening dance, and find your people on and off the floor. Out, not out, or still figuring it out, you're welcome here.
Sunday afters
After the farewell dance, wind down with us at The Northside District around 9:30 PM. No dancing, just hanging out.
Getting around
Where everything happens
Carrboro Century Center, 100 N Greensboro St: check-in (opens Friday at 6:30 PM), evening dances, classes, competitions, lunch talks
The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St: late nights, classes
Carrboro Elementary School Gym, 400 Shelton St: Saturday beginner track
Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St: social hours
The Northside District, 403 W Rosemary St, Chapel Hill: Sunday afters
Parking
Town lots are free for 2 hours from 7 AM to 5:30 PM, then unlimited after 5:30. If you're here for daytime classes, you may need to move your car partway through the day. The decks near the library (next to the Century Center) and by the Hampton Inn (next to The ArtsCenter) are your easiest bets.
Please don't park in the Carr Mill Mall lots. They tow cars whose owners leave the property.
Carrboro is a safe place to walk, even late at night. If you'd like a buddy, ask any volunteer.
Food and drink
There are lunch and dinner breaks on Saturday and Sunday. Check out our guide to where to eat and drink in Carrboro for coffee, quick bites, sit-down dinners, and late-night food.
T-shirts
This year's Flying Home t-shirts are for sale at the registration desk, along with some shirts from past years. Cards preferred, cash works too. Pre-ordered? Pick yours up at check-in.
Your safety team
We want everyone to feel safe and welcome. Our Safer Spaces Committee will be on hand all weekend: Melissa Graf, Micki McCarthy, Naga Devi, and Dee Matthews. If anything makes you uncomfortable, find one of us in person, ask a volunteer at the front desk, call or text 919-525-1320, email safety.tsds.nc@gmail.com, or visit flyinghomenc.com/safety. Every report is taken seriously.
Please review our Code of Conduct before the event.
See you on the dance floor!