International Festival of Dance and Songs
International Folk Dance and Music Festival “Ohrid Pearl”
Ohrid, Macedonia
28 June - 02 July
Overview
Ohrid- Jerusalem of the Balkans
Ohrid has been a living town for 2400 years, notable for having 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and is referred to as the Macedonian Jerusalem. Archaeological finds indicate that Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe.
Lake Ohrid rightly deserves the name “Macedonia’s freshwater sea”. It haves crystal clear water in color of the sky blue. Actually because of its size, this lake gives an impression of being a sea. With its unique flora and fauna the lake is one of the largest biological reserves in Europe
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
Participation Fee:
Standard hotels or apartments category accommodations like Hotel Desaret, Hotel Cingo, Apart Hotel Fantastik, Hotel Ohridati, Hotel Cingo, Solferino, Hotel Holiday M etc.
- 139 Euro per person for 3 half-boards (2 meals per day) in 3* hotel
- 179 Euro per person for 4 half-boards (2 meals per day) in 3* hotel
Advanced hotel categories like Hotel Mirage, Hotel Aqualina, Hotel Belvedere, Hotel Imperial, Hotel Pela etc.
- 169 Euro per person for 3 half-boards (2 meals per day) in 4* hotel
- 219 Euro per person for 4 half-boards (2 meals per day) in 4* hotel
If you stay less than 3 nights the prices will be different and this kind of offers are always on request.
On your request you can stay longer in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Every day of stay longer before or after festival has to be paid between 40-55 euro/per person for accommodation at the selected hotel category…
Participation Fee Includes:
- Participation in the festival concerts,
- Accommodation in the selected category of hotels (mostly 3-4 bedded rooms, supplement for a double room is 7€/person/day, supplement for single room is 70% of the price),
- Half-board hotel accommodation
- Welcome cocktails with the leaders of the groups
- Souvenir and gift for each group
- Certificate for attendance
- For 23 dancers 1 free of charge
Participation Fee does not include:
- Transport
- Optional Programs
- Insurance and city tax
- What is not specified in the above mentioned “the fee includes”
Organizers keep the right to change program of the festival. After Groups arrived in Hotel will be given detailed program of the festival and each group will have guide during festival.
Dates
- 28/06/2026 - 02/07/2026
Pricing
28/06 - 02/07
- 5 days (4 nights) = 179 € per person
Itinerary
General rules for participation:
- In the festival can participate folklore groups, orchestras, majorettes, modern dance groups, choirs, music bands from all over the world.
- Non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, choral groups, majorette teams, orchestras, brass bands.
- Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation. The application is guaranteed by the advance payment amounting to 10% of the overall cost. This amount will not be refunded in the event of renunciation of participation.
- The number of the participants are limited (only 3 groups from each country).
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2-3 dances, 10-15 minutes each with USB or orchestra. The performances will be in the evening hours so you can plan the day ahead and use it for visiting the historical part of the city.
- To send us short CV and 2 – 3 photos of the group by e-mail.
- Until 21st of May 2026 each group should send the list of participants, name/surname, sex, date of birth and passport number.
- To take a flag of the country.
- Folklore groups should have their own transport for arrival and departure
DRAFT FESTIVAL PROGRAM:
28 June 2026
- 13.00 Arriving in Ohrid, hotel accommodation after the meeting with the festival representatives and free time
- 19.00 – 20.00 Diner in hotel
- 21.00 Welcome reception with the leaders of the groups
29 June 2026
- 08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
- 10.00 – 13.00 Ohrid sightseeing with organized local tour guides - visiting cultural monuments (Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo church …)
- 17.30 – 18.30 Diner in hotel
- 19.00 Ensemble parade and Official festival evening at the square on a stage
30 June 2026
- 08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
- 11.00 – 17.00 Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake, Visiting Museum on water and visit most famous tourist resort St.Naum (optional 15euro per person)
- 18.00 – 19.00 Diner in hotel
- 19.30 Second festival evening (Optional)
01 July 2026
- 08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
- 10.00 – 14.00 Visiting Struga city with organized guide and the Kalista monastery complex which is situated near to Struga city.
- 19.00 – 20.30 Diner in hotel
- 21.00 Closing ceremony of the festival – certificates and presents for ensembles by organizer, exchange presents between leaders of ensembles and final party with all participants
02 July 2026
- 08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
- 11.00 Departure