XXIII International Festival MUSIC, DANCE & LAKE
Location: Ohrid, Macedonia
Director: Z.S. & WOFA
Application Deadline: 15 November, 2026
With pleasure we INVITE you to participate on XXIII International festival “MUSIC,DANCE&LAKE” which will be held on 02 - 06 September 2026
The main purpose of the festival is is to bring different cultures closer, through dances, music and interesting national costumes. The main idea of the organizers is to bring in Ohrid and to the festival, a variety of folk dances and national art groups from all around the world, so that the participants will have a possibility to meet new people, make new friendship relationships and also see the beauties of our town Ohrid and the Ohrid lake, which are under the protection of UNESCO. The idea of the festival is to develop new forms of communication in the international dialogue and international cooperation in the future. www.ohrid.com.mk
Nowadays, Ohrid is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. During this period there are a lot of tourists from Holland, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Turkey… Due to exceptional beauty and culture heritage Ohrid Lake and Ohrid city is protected by UNESCO. Ohrid Lake is located in the extreme southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. This lake is one of the oldest tectonic lakes on the planet (it is about 3 million years old), along with The Baikal Lake in Russia, Tanganyika and Malawi in Africa and Titicaca in South America. It is one of those rare preserved ancient lakes in Europe
Ohrid Lake is one of the largest and most important natural heritages in the world. The unique and endemic flora and fauna with many relic living forms make the lake rare but real natural “museum of living fossils”. There are a lot of hotels, apartments, a lot of traditional restaurants and café, shops, entertainment. Ohrid&Struga during the summer period lives 24 hours. Ohrid lake coast is 35km with beautifully sands beach, tourist attractions and entertainment. Temperature of the water in the lake is 25C degree and it is suitable for swimming, diving, yachting.
Program Proposal:
Day 1
11.00 – 14.00 Arriving in Ohrid, hotel accommodation
14.00 – 16.00 Lunch in Hotel and free activities (at the beach at Ohrid Lake)
19.00 - 21.00 Dinner in Hotel
21.00 – Welcome reception
Day 2
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast
10.00 – 13.00 Ohrid sightseeing – cultural and historical monument (Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Caneo church…)
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch in the Hotel and free activities (swimming)
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel
20.00 Festival evening (defile – opening the festival)
DAY 3
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast
10.00 – 13.00 Struga sightseeing – visiting ciltural and historical monuments (river Crni Drim, House of the brothers Miladinovci, St. Kalista church, Vevchani – Vevchanski water sources)
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel
20.00 Socialization party
Day 4
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast
10.00 – 16.00 Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake and visit the Museum on water and the most famous tourist resort St. Naum – culture place, visiting the water sources of the Ohrid Lake, St. Naum monestry, little islands at the very place with restaurants, also swimming at the beach. (the price for the cruising with boat is 20 euros per person – lunch package by the hotel).
18.00 – 20.00 Dinner in the Hotel
20.00 – 00.00 Gala night, closing the festival, certificate for the participants by the organizers, and at the very end of the festival participants can exchange gifts and contacts with each other.
Day 5
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast
12.00 – Departure of the participants
Participating conditions are:
- Every folklore group has the right to participate. Children's ensembles (2/3 of the participants must be 16 or younger), Youth ensembles (2/3 of the participants must be 25 or younger), adult ensembles (1/3 of the participants must be older than 25).
- The number of groups participants of the festival are limited (only 3 groups from each country),
- Each group should consist of most 50 members including dancers, managers and musicians - Age of the participants are not limited,
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 folk dances, 10-15 minutes each with orchestra or CD,
- To send CV and 2-3 photos by mail,
- To bring a flag of the country,
- Folklore groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,
Participation fee:
Hotel Delago & District (Main Suggestion) - in the center of the city
Hotel Delago – https://delago-hotel.carrd.co/
HB (Half Board – Breakfast & Dinner)
3 nights HB – 119 € per person
4 nights HB – 149 € per person
5 nights HB – 184 € per person
Additional night HB – 40 € per person
Double room supplement – 10 € per person
Single room supplement – 20 € per person
Hotel Desaret 3* hotel resort
Visit Hotel Desaret: https://www.hoteldesaret.mk/en
Type: Lakeside hotel with an outdoor swimming pool.
Half Board (HB) – Breakfast and Dinner
3 Nights / 4 Days: 119€ per person
4 Nights / 5 Days: 144€ per person
5 Nights / 6 Days: 179€ per person
Additional day: 36€ per person
Full Board (FB) – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3 Nights: 128€ per person
4 Nights: 160€ per person
5 Nights: 194€ per person
Additional day: 41€ per person
Ohridati Palace 3* hotel –https://ohridatipalace.mk/ in the center of the city
Half Board (HB) – Breakfast and Dinner
3 Nights / 4 Days (HB): 105€ per person
4 Nights / 5 Days (HB): 135€ per person
5 Nights / 6 Days (HB): 160€ per person
Additional day: 33€ per person
Hotel Montenegrin 3* hotel in the center of the city – https://macedonian-hotels.mk/hotel/h-montenegrin-ohrid#google_vignette
Half Board (HB) – Breakfast and Dinner
3 Nights / 4 Days (HB): 99 € per person
4 Nights / 5 Days (HB): 128 € per person
5 Nights / 6 Days (HB): 151€ per person
Additional day: 30€ per person
Single room supplement – 20 € per person
Hotel Apartment DELUX in the center of the city – https://delux-apartments.weebly.com/
Half Board (HB) – Breakfast and Dinner
3 Nights / 4 Days (HB): 91 € per person
4 Nights / 5 Days (HB): 115 € per person
5 Nights / 6 Days (HB): 135 € per person
Additional day: 25 € per person
Accommodations with prices on request for 4* hotels"
Hotel Sileks –https://www.hotelsileks.mk/
3 nights HB – 158 € per person
4 nights HB – 209 € per person
5 nights HB – 250 € per person
Additional night HB – 50 € per person
Double room supplement – 10 € per person
Single room supplement – 20 € per person
Metropol Lake Resort –https://metropol-ohrid.com.mk/
4 nights / 5 days BB – 179 € per person
4 nights / 5 days HB – 219 € per person
Additional night HB – 56 € per person
Hotel Granit –https://hotelgranit.com.mk/
3 nights HB – 179 € per person
4 nights HB – 234 € per person
5 nights HB – 289 € per person
Additional night HB – 56 € per person
Festival organizers provide:
- for 25 dancers – one gratis,
- souvenir and gift for each group,
- certificates for attendance on the festival,
- tourist guides for sightseeing of the town,
- drinks during the performance,
- advertising of the festival (social media promotions,posters and flayers).
- Free parking
INSURANCE:
Personal responsibility and health insurance are within the other obligations of the groups. First Aid and Medical Hospital will be available, medical services must be covered by the group.
On your request, You can continue your stay in Ohrid. For additional days we will prepare special program for you.
After Groups confirm participation we will be give detailed program of the festival.
The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from Ohrid airport, during the festival days and back to the same Ohrid airport. You can also arrive through Skopje, Tirana or Thessaloniki Airport which are only 200 km from Ohrid. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed according to their number. We will also assist you in obtaining visa for Macedonia if necessary. Also, you can arrive in Ohrid airport by plane and we will organize transfer from the airport to the hotel free of charge.
All detailed information will be supply after your confirmation for participations.
In 2025 on this festival participated over 262 participants from 9 countries from Europe.
COMMUNICATION STEPS
Step 1 — ApplyFill out the online application form with your group details.
Step 2 — Confirmation You’ll instantly receive an email confirming we got your application.
Step 3 — Application Number/Within 2 days you’ll receive your Application Number and required materials list.
Step 4 — Review WOFA reviews your application and checks availability.
Step 5 — Acceptance If accepted, you’ll receive an Invitation Letter and deposit instructions.Deposit must be paid within 10 days.
Step 6 — Secure Your Spot /Send us your deposit confirmation. Your participation is officially confirmed.
Step 7 — Finalization A WOFA coordinator will guide you through the final steps: participant list, travel details, and performance info.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
Festival organisers provide a stage for the performance.
Location where the Festival take place: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sbo6nL2WPk1iDTxR8
Festival Highlights
See videos of performances on our official YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8RE8ufsZ314XlMCPlIopR8k-vDOzb4uG
INSURANCE:
Personal responsibility and health insurance are within the other obligations of the groups. First Aid and Medical Hospital will be available, medical services must be covered by the group.
The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from airport, during the festival days and back to the airport. You can also arrive through Skopje, Tirana or Thessaloniki Airport which are only 200 km from Ohrid. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed according to their number. We will also assist you in obtaining visa for Macedonia if necessary. Also, you can arrive in Ohrid airport by plane and we will organize transfer from the airport to the hotel free of charge.
All detailed information will be supply after your confirmation for participations.
In 2019, participated over 284 participants from 6 countries from Europe.
EXCURSIONS INFORMATION
Excursions Information
Ohrid Sightseeing: Explore cultural monuments such as St. Sofia Church, Samoil Fortress, Antique Theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo Church, and the Bridge of Wishes ( from 10:00 to 13:00).
Cruise on Ohrid Lake: Enjoy a boat cruise and visit the Museum on Water and the famous St. Naum Monastery (March 22 from 11:00 to 14:00, includes lunch package).
Visit to Struga City: Experience Kalista Cave and the old bazaar (15:00 to 17:00).
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NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Published on 05 June 2018
FOLKLORE MOOD IN OHRID (MACEDONIA)
The 9-th edition of "OHRID SUNSET" was held from 9 to 12 APRIL in Ohrid (Macedoniaa). Groups from Russia, Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey and Romania with more than 350 performers took part in the event, informed us the director of the festival Zoran Strezovski.
"By tradition, the festival was opened with warm "Welcome" to the participants, and after the performances each group received certificate and present from the organization committee. During the day, the groups had the opportunity to visit St.Naum by boat, the old town in Ohrid and some of the groups had excursions to other city of Struga At the final, for all participants there was a disco party with many dances and songs until midnight." says in addition Strezovski.
NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Published on 25.04. 2017
FESTIVAL “OHRID SUNSET” GATHERED FOLKLORE DIVERSITY OF 5 COUNTRIES IN OHRID
International Folklore Festival “Ohrid Sunset” was held in the period 21 – 24 of April 2017 in Ohrid, Macedonia. There were 8 groups from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovakia, and more than 260 people took part in it, informed the director of the festival .“Ohrid was the host city of this wonderful event that showed the colorful traditions and the diversity of cultures. There was a parade near the lake and through the main shopping street. There was one festival evening. They had the chance to meet new people, see the the beauty that Ohrid had to offer as well as learn about the rich history of the town itself.”, announced directori.