A waltz is traditionally performed during a formal quinceañera program.
The celebrant may perform a practiced waltz with members of her court, often including damas and chambelanes. The dance contributes to the event's formal, presentation-like atmosphere and is frequently rehearsed before the celebration.
Many modern quinceañeras add other choreographed dances as well. Families may include popular music, regional styles, contemporary routines, or a surprise dance. These additions do not remove the waltz's traditional association with the formal portion of the event.
A waltz is therefore a common tradition, not a compulsory feature. The program can be religious, secular, formal, casual, or customized. What counts as a quinceañera depends primarily on the fifteenth-birthday celebration and the family's chosen customs.