THE swing dance craze that swept this town a few years back just won’t shimmy away – Gotham is crawling with saddle-shoed hep cats who love to jitterbug all night long.

If you haven’t tried your foot at this high-energy sport, now’s the time. There are festive outdoor swing dance parties around the city, throughout the summer.

“Outdoor events are opening the world to swing,” says swing instructor Margaret Batiuchok, president of the New York Swing Dance Society.

“And so many more people dance now than when we first started. So, it’s blossoming all over the city and it gives a nice atmosphere to New York. It’s very friendly, festive, artistic and romantic, and it’s a great place to meet people.”

Many events are free and most offer a lesson beforehand in the six-count basic steps. Parties attract all kinds of dancers, and there’s no need to bring a partner. If you’re lucky, a lovely, experienced stranger will teach you some moves.

MIDSUMMER NIGHT SWING

In its 13th year, this outdoor dance party at Lincoln Center is a summer favorite, and this season, happy hoofers will enjoy a newly refurbished, raised wooden dance floor.

Besides swing, the festival covers salsa, country and western, disco, polka and ballroom, among other styles.

Opening night boasts R&B singer Ben E. King (“Stand By Me”) with trumpeter Tim Ouimette and dance instructors Robert Royston and Laureen Baldovi, direct from Broadway’s “Swing!”

Late arrivals – and those who don’t feel like paying – are welcome to dance on the grass, listen to the music and enjoy the scene for free.

Where: Josie Robertson Plaza (Fountain Plaza at 63rd Street).

When: Various evenings, June 27 to July 28. Dance lessons, 6:30 to 7 p.m. Dance till the band stops.

How much: $12. Tickets for the month-long series go on sale Friday at the Josie Robertson box office, or through CenterCharge, (212) 721-6500. For same-day tickets, be prepared to wait in a line, starting at 5 p.m.

Information: (212) 875-5766, for programming and rain updates, or http://www.lincolncenter.org

HUDSON RIVER FESTIVAL

Every Wednesday for 10 weeks, bands from across the country will jump and jive at various Battery Park City locations, from the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden to Battery Park.

Among the featured live bands will be Boston’s septet Bellevue Cadillac, Nebraska’s jump-blues band Prairie Cats, Philadelphia’s City Rhythm Orchestra and New York’s Nick Palumbo and the Flipped Fedora Orchestra.

Where: Around Battery Park City.

When: June 19 through Aug. 31. Dance lessons, 6:30 to 7 p.m. Party, 7:15 p.m. to midnight.

How much: Free

Information: (212) 528-2733

PIER 25

End way-too-short summer weekends by Lindy Hopping and be-bopping over to the weekly Sunday night dance party sponsored by the Dance Manhattan swing school.

Talent includes Dave Berger and the Sultans of Swing, Andy Farber and the Swing Mavens, and George Gee and the Jump, Jive & Wailers.

Where: Pier 25, North Moore Street at the Hudson River

When: Sunday nights, July 8 to Aug. 19, 7:15 to 10 p.m.

How much: Free

Information: (212) 807-0802 or go to http://www.dance-manhattan.com

HARLEM JAZZ DANCE FESTIVAL

At the Harlem Jazz festival, newcomers and amateurs can dance the night away under the trees and moonlight to the jams of the ever-popular George Gee, performing here with the Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra.

Free lessons in the Lindy Hop – the original form of swing/jitterbug partner dancing – are offered by champs David Damo and Janice Wilson.

“It really does attract a lot of different folks,” says Wilson. “It’s an exciting time for beginners to start also. There’s a good support group, and you won’t be on your own struggling if you are new.”

When: Aug. 17-19. Lessons: 8 to 8:30 p.m. Dance from then on.

Where: Marcus Garvey Park, between 120th and 121st Streets, west of Madison Avenue.

How much: Free

Information: (212) 426-9433 or http://www.vequa.com/hjf.html.

CENTRAL PARK SWING

For three years, swingers have had their own secret spot in the park to dance on Sunday nights, but with word of mouth, the event has exploded – and was shut down after just one hour last Sunday, when an unwieldy crowd of 150 people showed up.

Pending a permit for the popular gathering, organizer/instructor Paolo Lanna hopes to resume twice-monthly dancefests the first week in June, possibly near Bethesda Fountain.

Where: Call for locations.

How much: Free

Information: (212) 358-3858 or http://www.centralparkswings.com for updates.