2026 Columbia Jr. Cotillion

If you’ve got an incoming 8th grader, this is one of those classic experiences that blends fun with real-life skills.

The 2026 Columbia Junior Cotillion is now open for registration, offering a structured (but still enjoyable) way for students to build confidence, learn social etiquette, and pick up some dance skills along the way.

Held at the Kimball Ballroom on the Stephens College campus, this program includes three themed evenings across the fall:

The season kicks off on September 13 with a Western-themed night from 5–8 PM.
It continues on October 11 with a “Dance Through the Decades” theme, also from 5–8 PM.
The final event takes place on November 8, featuring a formal ballroom evening from 4:30–8:30 PM.

Each session combines etiquette instruction, guided dance lessons, and a full social event, giving students a chance to practice what they’ve learned in a relaxed, supervised setting. Dinner and dessert are included, along with music, lighting, and a professional-led experience.

The program is open to all Columbia students entering 8th grade for the 2026–2027 school year, and the full three-event experience is $150 per student.

Cotillion programs have been around for centuries, originally rooted in formal European dance traditions, but today they’ve evolved into something much more practical—helping teens feel comfortable in social settings, build confidence, and learn skills they’ll actually use.

If you’re looking for something a little different from the usual extracurriculars, this is one that mixes structure, tradition, and just enough fun to keep it interesting.