Gaga performed "Dance in the Dark" as the opening song of The Monster Ball Tour. In the first leg of the tour, she appeared behind a scrim-lit screen to perform the song, while in the revamped shows, Gaga performs it on a set reminiscent of a New York City night scene. The song was also performed at the 2010 BRIT Awards, where Gaga dedicated it to her close friend, Alexander McQueen, who had committed suicide a few days earlier. The song is also performed at the singer's Las Vegas residency, Lady Gaga Enigma. It was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)".