Folk dancing is a general term for dances from various countries that are traditionally performed during social events by people with little or no professional training. Folk dances are often learned informally by the new dancer observing others dancing and then receiving help from others in learning the dance. At the same time, folk dance can be choreographed and made scenic. Usually the term "folk dance" is applied to dances of historical European culture, typically originated before 20th century. For other cultures the terms ethnic dance or traditional dance are often used, although the latter terms may encompass e.g., ceremonial dances. For modern non-standardized dances the term street dance is also used.

Folk dances are often part of the social fabric of the country, and often have common features such that people familiar with folk dancing can often tell what country a dance is from even if they had not seen the particular dance before. Some countries have features that are unique to that country, although neighoring countries sometimes have similar features. For example, the German and Austrian schuhplattling dance consists of slapping the body and shoes in a fixed pattern, something that few other countries have. Folk dances sometimes evolved long before current political boundaries, so that certain dances are shared by several countries. For example, some Serbian, Bulgarian, and even Croatian dances share the same or similar dances, and sometimes even use the same name and music for those dances.

Although folk dancing was originally done by the common people of the local culture, folk dancing has received some popularity on college campuses and community centers within the United States and other countries. Richard Thompson wrote a song about this group of people titled Don't Sit On My Jimmy Shands, a reference to Scottish musician Jimmy Shand that produced bagpipe music. In the 1960's this movement was supported by record labels such as Folk Dancer by Michael and Maryann Herman, and the Folkways label by Moses Asch which is currently under the Smithsonian Institute.

Folk dancing is viewed more of a social activity rather than competetive, although there are professional and semi-professional folk dance groups, and occassional folk dance competitions.

See also

• Folk dance
• Austrian folk dance
• Israeli Folk Dancing