International Festival of Dance and Songs
International Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music Winter Stars of Dresden
Dresden, Germany
03 January - 05 January
Overview
Dresden- The Gem of Landmarks
The International Art Festival "WINTER STARS OF DRESDEN" is a prestigious international art festival and competition, which is held in Dresden – the capital of Saxony and the cultural capital of Germany, once named Florence on the Elbe for its architectural beauty.
The International Art Festival “WINTER STARS OF DRESDEN” invites participants from all over the world at a time when the magical atmosphere of the past Christmas and New Year holidays still reigns in city. There is a unique chance to walk through the quiet streets of old Dresden, in a wonderful New Year’s decoration, to buy souvenirs in the traditional Christmas markets and, of course, to visit the Dresden Gallery and Zwinger Palace. Famous German and foreign cultural and art workers are invited to be honored members of the international jury
Trip Planner
It will be our pleasure to make your trip an unforgettable experience!
We can provide the following services for your group:
- accommodation during the trip (in case you need a sleepover on your way to the chosen destination)
- accommodation during the festival event you attend
- travel and transportation tips and assistance
- purchasing airplane and bus tickets
- organizing transportation for a group or individuals
- assist and advise in the procedure of issuing visas (if needed)
Accommodation
PRICES AND FEES:
FESTIVAL PRICE: 98 EUR per person including:
- 2 overnights in DRESDEN in hotel cat. 3*on basis BB (buffet breakfast)
- Accommodation mostly in DBL/TWIN
- OFFICIAL LETTER OF INVITATION
- PERFORMACE IN COMPETITIVE AND FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
- DIPLOMAS, PRIZES and MEDALS
OBLIGATORY PARTICIPATION FEE:
- MEMBERS OF ART GROUPS – 15 EURO per participant / main discipline
- SMALL FORMS (up to 10 performers) – 20 EURO per participant / main discipline
- TRIOS and QUARTETS – 35 EURO per participant / main discipline
- SOLOISTS and DUETS – 50 EURO per person / main discipline
- VISUAL ARTS participants – 10 EURO per participant
FOR PARTICIPATION IN ADDITIONAL DISCIPLINES:
- ART GROUPS pay extra 5 EURO per participant / 1 additional discipline
- SOLOISTS and DUETS pay extra 20 EURO per participant / 1 additional discipline
PARTICIPATION FEE INCLUDES:
➢ OFFICIAL LETTER OF INVITATION and other documents
➢ PERFORMACE IN COMPETITIVE & FESTIVAL PROGRAM
➢ DIPLOMAS, PRIZES
➢ MEDALS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
ADDITIONAL / EXTRA PAYMENT:
- Lodging CITY TAX Dresden –obligatory for all persons – 3 EURO
- Extra overnight in hotel – 40 EURO per person a night on BB (buffet breakfast)
- Extra supplement for SNGL accommodation: 65 EURO per person to festival price
- Transfers from hotel to the Concert Hall and back (for groups without own transportation) – quotes will be made according request
Travel expenses (transportation of participants to / from Dresden, travel insurance, entrance visa to Germany for participants from non-Schengen countries), transfers in Dresden and Germany, lunches and dinners, entrance tickets to sightseeing objects, tickets to public traffic, optional excursions
DISCOUNTS: every 25th person in the group is free of charge (24 paying participants + 1 free)
Dates
- 03/01/2026 - 05/01/2026
Pricing
03/01 - 05/01
- 3 days (2 nights) = 98 € per person
Itinerary
The International Art Festival and Competition “WINTER STARS OF DRESDEN 2026” is determined for soloists, ensembles and groups of young performers from different countries of the world. The competitive program of the participants is approved by the Organizing Committee on the basis of applications received. The schedule of the competitive programme for all participants is determined in advance and depends on the age of the participants. All participants should prepare a competitive program within the time limits specified for each competitive discipline:
- SOLOISTS / DUETS – 4 minutes for soloists, duets
- SMALL FORMATIONS (3-10 persons): 8 minutes for ensembles and groups.
- ART GROUPS – 8 minutes for ensembles and groups
Participants of the International Art Festival and Competition “WINTER STARS OF DRESDEN 2026” are divided in the following age categories:
- MINI KIDS - from 6 to 8 years
- CHILDREN - from 9 to 12 years
- JUNIORS 1 - from 13 to 15 years
- JUNIORS 2 - from 16 to 18 years
- ADULTS 1 - from 19 years to 25 years
- ADULTS 2 - from 26 years and older
- SENIORS - from 50 years and older
- MIXED AGE groups
The jury evaluates the skills of the participants during the competitive performance in each competitive discipline and in each age category in accordance with the 10-points evaluation systems. Results of the art competition and festival are being summed up by the end of all competitive performances.
AWARDS: The Organizing Committee awards diplomas of participation, diplomas of Laureate of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades, Winner of the Grand Prix and festival medals to all participants. Ensembles and groups of 3 or more persons receive one big cup or trophy of the festival and Diploma, soloists and duets receive one small cup or trophy of the festival and Diploma. The absolute Winner of the festival receives the Grand Prix of the festival and Diploma Grand Prix. All teachers, choreographers, group and ensemble leaders also receive the Diplomas of Festival.
DRAFT FESTIVAL PROGRAM:
1st day, 03.01.2026
- arrival to Dresden, check-in at the hotel IBIS DRESDEN ZENTRUM*** (after 15:00 p.m.) and accommodation.
- * Optional: In the afternoon for organized groups with more than 40 persons it is possible to organize guided walking sightseeing tour “DRESDEN CITY TOUR” around the historical center of DRESDEN: (duration – 2 hrs / for extra payment – 10 EUR per person). Overnight in Dresden.
2nd day, 04.01.2026
- breakfast at the hotel
- FESTIVAL DAY PROGRAMME: stage testing, sound check, general rehearsal
- OPENING CEREMONY, COMPETITION: performances of the participants. GALA CONCERT. AWARD CEREMONY
- Return to the hotel. Overnight in Dresden.
Transportation services from hotel to CONCERT HALL and back are not included to the price!
**On demand it is possible to organize transportation from Hotel to Concert Hall and back by contacting and sending official request to the Organizing Committee.
3rd day, 05.01.2026
breakfast at the hotel Till 10:00 am – check out from the hotel. Departure of the participants from Dresden.
*** The organizer reserves the right to alter the festival day within the set festival program. The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the event program*** If necessary, changes may be made to its content, method and organization before or during the event, insofar as these changes do not substantially diminish the described benefits of the event for the participant(s).
Things to do
Climb to the top of Frauenkirche
The 18th-century Lutheran Church – along with almost all of Dresden – was destroyed in the fire bombing of 1945. Post-war leaders initially left the church in ruins as a kind of war memorial until the late 1980s when plans for reconstruction began
See the inspiration for Kurt Vonnegut's book Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut is known as one of the most profound and prolific writers in American history. But before he made a name for himself as a writer, he dropped out of Cornell University and enlisted in the US Army to fight in WWII. Captured at the Battle of the Bulge, he was interned in Dresden during the devastating and controversial Allied firebombing of the city that left it in ruins. Vonnegut survived the attack by hiding in a meat locker of the slaughterhouse, hence the name of his breakthrough novel, Slaughterhouse-Five
Take a stroll around the Zwinger
Meant to stand as a testimony to the glory of Augustus the Strong’s reign, the Zwinger quickly developed into a cultural hub until it was destroyed in WWII. The Soviets began reconstruction immediately after the war, largely restoring the building to its pre-war state by 1963
Brühl’s Terrace
Dresden and its photogenic Old Town can be overwhelming for anyone with a camera. The exquisite nature of the city demands to be captured by the lens again and again. For the perfect photography spot, head for Brühl’s Terrace – nicknamed “the balcony of Europe.”
Residenzschloss Dresden Castle
This Old Town castle is considered to be one of the most important of the Renaissance period, serving as a cultural and political hub since the 15th century. Today the Residenzschloss houses a variety of museums
Trip Planner
It will be our pleasure to make your trip an unforgettable experience!
We can provide the following services for your group:
- accommodation during the trip (in case you need a sleepover on your way to the chosen destination)
- accommodation during the festival event you attend
- travel and transportation tips and assistance
- purchasing airplane and bus tickets
- organizing transportation for a group or individuals
- assist and advise in the procedure of issuing visas (if needed)