The exuberance and vitality of the people of Punjab are vigorously displayed in their folk dances. With the drum beat or to the tune of some other instrument of folk music, the energetic feet of the people of Punjab are spontaneously set in motion to deliver a folk dance - an expression of the soul performance, an outburst of true feelings. Punjab folk dances are replete with foreign influences. It is only in Punjab where there is no common dance for men and women. The folk dances of Punjab can be simply classified according to male or female folk dances, where the Bhangra, Jhummer, Luddi, Julli, Dankara and Dhumal are male folk dances while Sammi, Giddha, Jaago & Kikli are the female folk dances.

Bhangra Dance
Bhangra is one of most popular dances of India performed during Baisakhi only by the men in Punjab. Bhangra includes the drummer who usually stands in the center of the circle in an open space surrounded by dancers who even recite meaningless `bolis`, words such as hoay, hoay; or Balle, Balle, which not only inspire themselves but also others for the dance.

Jhummar Dance
The Jhummar dance is a dance of ecstasy and a living testimony of the happiness of men, so performed only by men. Jhummar is performed mostly during the melas, weddings and other major functions and celebrations.

Luddi Dance
This is also a male folk dance of Punjab and it is to celebrate a victory or success that is gained in any field. This dance is more popular across the Sutlej and in Pakistan it is almost as popular as the Bhangra. Here, the dancers wear only a loose shirt (kurta), a loincloth, some tie turban, or a scarf tied across the forehead, while others join in bareheaded. Here, the performers place one hand at the back and the other before the face acting as the movement of a snake`s head. This dance can also be done with the drummer standing at the center but sometimes the dancers dance before a throng of people by moving forward. This is basically the dance of slow movements and some even identify it by integrating with that of the Bhangra.

Dhumall Dance
This folk dance also has not been able to achieve the popularity of Bhangra. It is a male dance and, likewise it is danced in a circle, where the drum is used as the accompanying instrument. Even the costumes here are similar to that of Bhangra and Jhummar.

Jalli Dance
Jalli dance is a religious dance associated with Pirs and recluses and is generally danced in their hermitages (khangahs). This dance is performed mostly in a sitting posture by male folk artists and it is fast in terms of the beats. Sometimes, it is also danced around the grave of a preceptor. Even a single dancer can also perform this dance. In this dance, the toes of leg are tensed and the dancer holds a thick staff in his hands, which he revolves while dancing. Participants wear normally black coloured clothes with his head covered with black scarf. Sometimes, the murids (followers) also tie ghungroos i.e. jingling bells around their waists like the Bhangra dancers.

Giddha Dance
Giddha dance is considered as originated from West Punjab. This dance form is derived from the ancient style of ring dancing.

Sammi Dance
The tribal communities of Punjab perform the Sammi Dance, which is popular in Sandalbar, which now is in Pakistan.

Kikli Dance
Kikli is more of a sport than a dance & is generally popular within the young girls. Usually, the dance is performed in pairs. Before beginning the dance performance, two participants stand face to face with their feet close to each other`s and their bodies inclined back. Standing in this pose the arms of the dancers are stretched to the maximum limit and their hands are interlocked firmly. This can be the best description of style of Kikli. The dance starts in its performance when the pairs, maintaining the above-mentioned pose, wheel round and round in a fast movement at the same spot with the feet serving as the pivotal points. The girls sing as they swirl around with colorful `orhnis` or `daupttas` flowing from their heads and anklets producing tinkling melodies. There are varieties of traditional songs available that are used to accompany the `Kikli` dance, where most of these consist merely of loosely rhyming lines without underlying theme.

Jaago Dance
On the night before the wedding, the female relatives of the bridegroom prepare a `Jaago`. Jaago is constructed following the style of ancient balconies on several surfaces of which lamps are hanged in the style of stars. These are filled with ghee or oil; cotton wicks are placed in them and lighted. This is put on the head of groom`s mother`s brothers` wife, led by her the mother`s relations. By singing, dancing, frolicking & knocking at the doors of residents of the groom`s village they take entry in the village, where the dancing group accept presents of food, grain and ghee for the lamps. They continue these rounds through the night, when the youth glow and the dark of the night resounds with mirth and laughter.

Teeyan Dance
Teeyan is the women`s dance festival celebrated in allover Punjab. Teeyan is also performed to welcome the rains is the principal time for the Giddha.