International Festival of Dance and Songs
International Folk Dance and Music Festival “St. Kiril & St. Metodij”
Ohrid, Macedonia
22 May - 25 May
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 Solferino, Hotel Holiday M, etc.
- 139 Euro per person for 3 half-boards (2 meals per day) in 3* hotel
Advanced hotel categories like Hotel Pela, Hotel Mirage and Spa, Hotel Aqualina, Hotel Belvedere etc.
- 169 Euro per person for 3 half-boards (2 meals per day) in 4* hotel
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 35-55 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 bedded rooms, supplement for a double room is 7€/person/day, supplement for single room is +70% of the amount),
- Half-board hotel accommodation
- Tourist guides for sightseeing of the town
- Souvenir and gift for each group
- Professional stage, sound and light equipment during the festival events
- Certificate for attendance
- For 23 dancers 1 person free of charge
Participation Fee does not include:
- Transport
- Optional Programs
- Insurance
- 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 arrival in Hotel will be given detailed program of the festival and each group will have guide during festival.
Dates
- 22/05/2026 - 25/05/2026
Pricing
22/05 - 25/05
- 4 days (3 nights) = 139 € per person
Itinerary
General rules for participation:
- In the festival can participate every 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 number of the participants are limited (only 3 groups from each country).
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 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 22nd of April 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, departure and during the festival events
DRAFT FESTIVAL PROGRAM:
22 May 2026
- 14.00 Arriving in Ohrid, hotel accommodation at the selected category
- 15.00 Free time for individual activities
- 19.00 – 20.00 Diner in hotel
- 21.00 Meeting with leaders of the groups
23 May 2026
- 08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
- 10.00 – 15.00 Ohrid sightseeing with organized local tour guides - visiting cultural monuments (Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo church …)
- 17.00 – 18.00 Diner in hotel
- 19.00 Ensemble parade and Official festival evening
24 May 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
- 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..
25 May 2026
- 08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
- 11.00 Departure