The trend
What is the Toc Toc dance, and where did it start?
The Toc Toc dance is a short routine set to "Toc Toc", a 2015 song by French entertainer Patrick Sébastien. Dancers hop on one foot to the beat and knock on an invisible door when the chorus says "toc toc" — French for "knock knock". The routine was made popular by TikTok creator Nooah Prvv.
Oddly for a French song, the dance took off abroad first. Patrick Sébastien told Sud Radio he found out about it after it had spread in Germany and Poland. By late September 2026 it had reached France, the US and beyond, with gendarmes, figure skaters and even a Polish priest joining in. The song is also known online as "Kicékéla", after how the lyrics sound.
Not to be confused with Toc Toc, the 2017 Spanish comedy film about a group of people with OCD.
2015Patrick Sébastien releases "Toc Toc".
Mid-Sept 2026The one-foot hop and knock routine spreads on TikTok in Germany and Poland. Sud Radio
17 SeptSeparately, the AI character "Jean Phil" is first posted online — his look later merges with the dance. Kapwing
24 SeptFrance's Gendarmerie posts its own version; one clip passes 273,000 views. The "Kicékéla" nickname spreads. stephanelarue.com
Late SeptUS dancers, figure skaters and student groups join; a priest in Poland dances with his community. Masculin.com
29 SeptFrench radio calls it a worldwide trend; Patrick Sébastien says he is "the first to be surprised". Sud Radio
Early OctAI versions take over: people dress up in the "Jean Phil" look and do the Toc Toc moves. Univers Freebox