Bansko ’26
Morning Star · Bansko
WHEN2–6 December 2026
WHERENikola Vaptsarov Community Centre, main hall
APPLICATION DEADLINE15 November 2026
Your story.
Our stage.
Five days, one stage and countless stories. The 47th Morning Star International Arts Festival brings dance, music and theatre together in the heart of Pirin.
The winter edition in Bansko brings dance, music and theatre together. Soloists and groups present their work on a shared stage, in competition sections organised by discipline, age and performance format. It is an opportunity for teachers and group leaders to turn months of preparation into a shared experience.
Submit one application for your group and add each performance separately, with its category, age group, participant count and music. The system reads the audio duration when you upload the file. Include the full stage duration if your entrance or exit needs extra time. The competition programme appears here after applications have been processed.
This edition takes place from 2 to 6 December 2026 in the main hall of the Nikola Vaptsarov Community Centre. Read the rules, participation fees and accommodation conditions before applying.
02YOUR PARTICIPATIONFind your place on stage.
Disciplines
Age groups
Up to 7 years · 7–9 years · 10–11 years · 12–14 years · 15–17 years · 18–24 years · Over 25 years · Mixed ages / productions
Performance formats
Solo · Duet / trio · Small group (4–8) · Formation (over 8) · Production (over 20) · Ensemble · Choir
One application brings together every performance by your group. Choose a discipline and age group for each act, add the music and check its duration. The organisers will review applications and publish the programme here.
Discover Bansko.
Bansko lies at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, with stone houses, historic streets and mountain views. Its old town preserves the character of the Bulgarian National Revival. Allow time to explore between rehearsals, and prepare for winter conditions in December.
Plan your journey
Arrive in Bansko with enough time for registration and costume preparation. Your exact performance time will appear in the competition programme. If you need accommodation through the organisers, enter the number of guests and nights in your application; the team will confirm availability and price.
Taking part.
Who can participate?
Individual performers, community centres, schools, studios, clubs, academies and creative groups. Each competition performance is entered through the online application.
Categories and formats
Categories follow the age groups and formats listed below. Mixed ages are permitted up to 50%, with younger participants moving into the next age category. The organiser confirms the applicable category.
Music and duration
Upload the final music file for each performance by 15 November. State the full stage duration. Theatre productions may last up to 40 minutes and recitals up to 5 minutes. The organiser confirms specific limits for other disciplines.
Festival schedule
2–3 December: theatre and music. 4–5 December: dance. 6 December from 10:00: the Grand Prix Nomination competition and awards. The detailed competition programme is published after applications are processed.
Judging
Judging is closed. The competition programme and score sheets show the start number and performance title. Organisers may adjust the programme when necessary.
Additional fee conditions
Standard fees apply to participants staying through the organisers. Without accommodation through the organisers: solo / duet / trio — EUR 80 per person; small group / formation — EUR 60 per person. An additional solo / duet / trio entry in another style costs EUR 10 per performance. Accompanying guests pay a EUR 10 charitable contribution. The team confirms the conditions applicable to your application.
Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged through the festival team. Hotels in Bansko offer participant rates. Indicate the places you need in the application; the team will confirm availability and price.
Age groups
Performance formats
Fees & accommodation.
Fees are in euros. The applicable amount depends on the discipline, format and accommodation arrangements. Contact the team for the total for your group.
Stay for the whole experience.
Accommodation is arranged through the festival team. Hotels in Bansko offer participant rates. Indicate the places you need in the application; the team will confirm availability and price.
Contact the organisers2 December 2026
Version 3cirk diusulei
Pop and popular singing · Up to 7 years · Solo
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Pop and popular singing · Up to 7 years · Solo
кнм
Pop and popular singing · 18–24 years · Solo
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Folk singing · Up to 7 years · Solo
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Folk singing · 7–9 years · Duet / trio
ббнккк
Folk singing · 15–17 years · Duet / trio
кика
Folk singing · 15–17 years · Choir
кик
Instrumental performance · 10–11 years · Solo
поооооопппп
Instrumental performance · 12–14 years · Solo
хоооооо
Instrumental performance · 15–17 years · Solo
лзнднд снсдн
Theatre · 12–14 years · Production (over 20)
ленднд днд нссн
Theatre · 15–17 years · Production (over 20)
хгггг
Theatre · 18–24 years · Solo
бъъъ
Bulgarian folk dance · Up to 7 years · Solo
лдкднд
Bulgarian folk dance · 7–9 years · Duet / trio
ккк
Bulgarian folk dance · Over 25 years · Ensemble
тъът
Classical ballet — neoclassical · 10–11 years · Formation (over 8)
нннооооо
Classical ballet — neoclassical · 15–17 years · Small group (4–8)
тууууууу
Classical ballet — neoclassical · 18–24 years · Solo
шьлзчд
Character dance — ethnic show · Up to 7 years · Solo
миииииии
Character dance — ethnic show · 18–24 years · Small group (4–8)
бх
Character dance — ethnic show · Over 25 years · Small group (4–8)
тут
Dance sport and social dance · Up to 7 years · Duet / trio
лфлд
Dance sport and social dance · 15–17 years · Duet / trio
тииииии
Dance sport and social dance · Over 25 years · Duet / trio
бууууут
Majorette teams · 7–9 years · Formation (over 8)
ньнднднз
Majorette teams · 10–11 years · Small group (4–8)
шЛнсн сн
Majorette teams · 15–17 years · Production (over 20)
тъъъу
Dance show · Up to 7 years · Solo
мйсйсйс
Dance show · Up to 7 years · Solo
опооооо
Dance show · 10–11 years · Formation (over 8)
квнснс д
Dance show · 12–14 years · Solo
ъиуу
Contemporary · 10–11 years · Solo
нз знмз
Contemporary · 10–11 years · Formation (over 8)
кииииии
Contemporary · 12–14 years · Small group (4–8)
цььььдса
Open · 12–14 years · Solo
ххбжбжжж
Open · 15–17 years · Solo
г
Open · 15–17 years · Solo
ббб
Hip-hop / Street dance · 12–14 years · Small group (4–8)
нииииикак
Hip-hop / Street dance · 15–17 years · Production (over 20)
жжжж
Hip-hop / Street dance · Mixed ages / productions · Production (over 20)
нннннмммм
MTV Commercial · Up to 7 years · Solo
soundcheck
хййнм
MTV Commercial · 7–9 years · Formation (over 8)
ламбо
MTV Commercial · 18–24 years · Formation (over 8)
тиритиит
Acro dance · 12–14 years · Solo
мзмз знмм
Acro dance · 15–17 years · Ensemble
бйййййй
Acro dance · Mixed ages / productions · Production (over 20)