WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

With great pleasure, we INVITE folk dance ensembles, choral groups, orchestras, and majorette teams—children, youth, and adult groups—to participate in the XXII International Christmas Festival of Dance and Songs in Ohrid, taking place from 5 to 8 December 2025.

The main goal of the festival is to present the cultural traditions of different countries while fostering friendship and cultural exchange through music and dance. 

 GENERAL CONDITIONS

The festival is non-competitive and open to traditional and modern dance groups, vocal and instrumental ensembles, soloists, and other performing arts groups.
Children’s, youth, and adult ensembles are all welcome.
Each group may include up to 50 members, including dancers, musicians, and accompanying staff.
Each ensemble should prepare at least two performances lasting 10–15 minutes, accompanied by live music or USB.
Groups should send a short biography and 2–3 group photos.
Each group should bring their national flag.
Groups must arrange their own transport for arrival and departure.

 ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

Accommodation is provided in hotels in the city center with the following packages:

Hotel Montenegrin –www.montenegrininn.com
Hotel Apartmant De Lux – Located in the center of Ohrid

Half Board (HB – breakfast and dinner):
3 nights: 85 EUR per person

Full Board (FB – breakfast, lunch, and dinner):
3 nights: 115 EUR per person

Tourist tax is an additional 1 EUR per person per day.
For every 20 participants, 1 person is free of charge.

Additional services provided by the organizers include a welcome cocktail, city hall reception, official certificate, drinks during performances, gifts and souvenirs, and guided sightseeing tours.

 PROGRAM

Day 1 – December 5
13:00 – Arrival in Ohrid and hotel check-in
14:00 – 15:00 – Lunch at the hotel
19:00 – 20:00 – Dinner at the hotel
20:00 – Welcome reception

Day 2 – December 6
09:00 – 11:00 – Breakfast
11:00 – 14:00 – Sightseeing in Ohrid (St. Sofia Church, Samoil Fortress, Plaosnik, Kaneo Church, and more)
14:00 – 15:00 – Lunch at the hotel
18:00 – Parade of Ensembles in the Old Town
18:30 – Official Opening Ceremony of the Festival
Welcome speech, fireworks, open-air performance, and joint dancing
19:30 – Return to hotel

Day 3 – December 7
09:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast
11:00 – 14:30 – Boat Cruise on Ohrid Lake, visit to the Museum on Water and St. Naum Monastery
16:00 – 18:00 – Free time for shopping
18:00 – 20:00 – Dinner at the hotel
21:00 – 00:00 – Social events, exchange of presents, and disco party

Day 4 – December 8
09:00 – Breakfast
11:00 – Departure of participants

Optional Extended Stay
Day 4: Visit Struga (Miladinovci House, Black Drim River, Kalista Cave Church), dinner at hotel, and evening dance workshop
Day 5: Visit Skopje with guided tour of major landmarks (Alexander the Great monument, National Museum, Stone Bridge, and more), departure after the tour

All excursions are optional.

 EXCURSIONS

Ohrid offers a rich cultural and historical experience, especially during the festive season. Several excursions are organized as part of the program:

– Sightseeing tour of Ohrid (Day 2)
– Boat cruise to St. Naum Monastery and Museum on Water (Day 3, optional)
– Optional excursions: Visit to Struga and guided city tour of Skopje