Ballet-ex

CHRISTMAS IN DANCE 2026

December 12, 2026
Teatro Orione, Rome, Italy

Christmas in Dance 2026 is an international dance event created to provide dance schools, emerging dance groups and companies with the opportunity to experience the excitement of performing on stage and to present original choreographic works or pieces drawn from the established repertoire.

The event is intended as a valuable opportunity for meeting, artistic exchange and professional development, bringing together different dance communities and celebrating the arrival of the Christmas season through art, creativity and a shared passion for dance.

Participating schools, groups and companies may choose between two participation formats:

  • Competition Section – participants compete for the awards established by these Regulations;
  • Non-Competitive Showcase – participants perform as part of the event, with the focus on stage experience, artistic exchange and sharing their work with the audience.

COMPETITION REGULATIONS

ARTICLE 1 – ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

The Christmas in Dance 2026 Competition is open to:

  • Soloists;
  • Duets;
  • Trios;
  • Groups;

representing dance schools, associations and emerging dance companies.

Each school or group may freely choose whether to enter the Competition Section or participate in the Non-Competitive Showcase.

Awards

In the Competition Section, the following awards will be presented:

  • 1st Prize
  • 2nd Prize
  • 3rd Prize

Awards will be presented within each of the following age categories:

  • Baby
  • Junior
  • Senior

and for each eligible dance style or discipline included in these Regulations.

Judging Criteria

Performances will be assessed by the Jury according to the following criteria:

  • Technical ability and execution;
  • Choreographic originality and creativity;
  • Interpretation;
  • Musicality;
  • Stage presence;
  • Expressiveness and artistic quality.

The Jury’s assessment will take into consideration the overall quality of the performance and the ability of the dancers to communicate the choreographic concept effectively on stage.

ELIGIBLE DANCE STYLES

The Competition includes the following sections:

CLASSICAL / NEOCLASSICAL / REPERTOIRE

This section includes works based on classical and neoclassical dance technique, as well as variations and excerpts from the classical repertoire.

MODERN

This section includes the various styles and expressions of modern dance.

CONTEMPORARY

This section includes contemporary dance techniques, movement languages and choreographic research.

OTHER STYLES

This section includes, but is not limited to:

  • Urban Dance;
  • Character Dance;
  • Flamenco;
  • Dance Theatre;
  • Fusion;
  • Crossover and hybrid styles;
  • Other choreographic and dance languages.

The Artistic Direction reserves the right to determine the most appropriate category for a performance where the chosen style does not clearly correspond to one of the categories listed above.

ARTICLE 2 – AGE CATEGORIES

The Competition is open to dancers aged 5 and above, with no maximum age limit.

Participants are divided into the following three separate and independent age categories:

BABY

5–10 years

JUNIOR

11–14 years

SENIOR

15 years and above

Each age category will be conducted separately, with its own schedule, access arrangements, backstage organization and performance sessions.

Venue Clearance Between Categories

At the conclusion of each age category, and for organizational and safety reasons, all dancers, accompanying persons and members of the audience will be required to leave the theatre.

This measure is necessary to ensure the proper management of the venue and to allow participants in the following category to access the theatre in a safe, orderly and controlled manner.

Groups with Mixed Ages

For groups comprising dancers from different age ranges, the applicable age category will be determined according to the age of the majority of the group members.

A maximum of two dancers outside the applicable age range may be included in a group, provided that they are no more than two years above the maximum age limit of the selected category.

The Artistic Direction reserves the right to review individual cases where the age composition of a group requires clarification.

Should participants or schools have any doubts regarding the appropriate age category, the Artistic Direction will be available to provide clarification prior to registration.

ARTICLE 3 – ELIGIBLE DISCIPLINES

All dance styles and disciplines are eligible for participation, subject to the categories established in these Regulations.

Classical repertoire variations must be entered exclusively in the:

Classical / Neoclassical / Repertoire section.

The Artistic Direction reserves the right to review and approve specific requests concerning the classification of a performance where necessary.

ARTICLE 4 – DATE AND VENUE

The event will take place on a single day:

Saturday, 12 December 2026

The event is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.

For organizational, logistical or safety reasons, the Baby Category may be scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.

This adjustment may be made in order to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the event and to allow the competition to conclude at an appropriate time.

Any changes to the schedule, performance times, programme or organization of the age categories will be communicated by the Organizing Committee as soon as possible.

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the event schedule where required by organizational, logistical or safety considerations.

Art. 5 – Duration of Choreographies

The maximum duration of performances is established as follows:

  • Groups: maximum 3 minutes and 30 seconds;
  • Soloists: maximum 2 minutes;
  • Duets: maximum 2 minutes and 30 seconds;
  • Trios: maximum 3 minutes.

Compliance with the above time limits is mandatory in order to ensure the smooth running of the event.

If the musical track exceeds the permitted duration, it must be edited, shortened, or appropriately faded out.

If a school wishes to present more than four choreographies, it must notify the organizers in advance in order to allow for proper scheduling and management of the programme.

Art. 6 – Registration and Submission of Materials

In order to participate in the event “Natale in Danza 2026”, schools must submit, by:

23 November 2026

the completed registration form (click to open and complete) and all required documentation.

If the maximum number of participants is reached before the deadline, the organizers reserve the right to close registrations earlier than the date indicated above.

The registration form must be completed online using the form provided by the organizers.

The following materials must also be sent by email to:

concorso@balletex.com

  • a copy of the payment receipt, in the case of payment by bank transfer;
  • a complete list of participants, including:
    • first and last name;
    • address;
    • place and date of birth;
  • the musical file in MP3 format of the track used for the performance;
  • the number of tickets the school wishes to reserve.

Musical files must be named as follows:

School Name – Choreography Title – Participation Category

This naming convention is necessary to avoid errors when assigning the musical tracks during the event.

Authorizations concerning underage participants may be handed in directly on the day of the event.

Art. 7 – Stage Props and Scenic Elements

Stage props and scenic elements may be used only if they are:

  • easily transportable;
  • quick to set up and remove;
  • not an obstacle or danger to dancers, technicians, or organizational staff.

The use and management of stage props must be agreed upon with the organizers in advance.

Props must be placed and removed exclusively within the time limits indicated by the stage management team, so as not to delay the running of the event.

Art. 8 – Stage Rehearsals and Access to Dressing Rooms

No stage rehearsals will be scheduled.

Each school will receive a call time specifying the exact time of arrival at the theatre and must strictly follow the instructions provided by the organizers.

For safety, organizational, and backstage space-management reasons:

  • each school may access the dressing rooms with one accompanying adult for every 10 students per category;
  • authorized accompanying adults will be provided with an appropriate identification pass;
  • dressing rooms may be used exclusively for changing into and out of stage costumes;
  • remaining in the dressing rooms, backstage, or unauthorized areas after the performance will not be permitted.

Given that the competition is divided into the Baby, Junior, and Senior categories, the organizers may regulate access to the theatre and backstage areas according to the programme for the day.

At the end of each category, for safety reasons, the theatre areas must be cleared before participants in the following category are admitted.

The organizers reserve the right to modify these arrangements if required for safety or organizational reasons.

Art. 9 – Participation Fees

Participation in the event is subject to payment of the registration fee.

The applicable fees are:

  • Groups: €25.00 per dancer;
  • Groups of up to 5 people: €30.00 per dancer;
  • Soloists: €70.00;
  • Duets: €100.00.

If the same dancer participates in more than one performance, the following discounts apply:

  • Soloist also participating in a group: €60.00 instead of €70.00;
  • Duet whose members also participate in a group: €90.00 instead of €100.00;
  • Participants taking part in more than one group: first choreography €25.00, second choreography €20.00.

For groups presenting multiple choreographies, any special arrangements may be agreed directly with the organizers.

Art. 10 – Payment Methods

Participation fees may be paid:

  • directly at the box office on the day of the event;
  • by bank transfer.

Bank Details

IBAN:
IT97Q0103003202000002472167

Bank:
Monte dei Paschi di Siena

Account Holder:
Ballet-ex Società a responsabilità limitata

Payment Reference:
Quota di iscrizione Natale in danza

In the case of payment by bank transfer, the payment receipt must be sent by email together with the information required for issuing the invoice.

Art. 11 – Prizes and Awards

At the end of the event, the following awards will be presented:

  • 1st Prize
  • 2nd Prize
  • 3rd Prize

for each age category:

  • Baby
  • Junior
  • Senior

Additional awards will also be presented according to dance genre:

  • Classical / Neoclassical / Repertoire
  • Modern
  • Contemporary
  • Other Styles

At its discretion, the Jury may award additional special recognitions, including:

  • Best Costume;
  • Gesture Creation Award;
  • Best Group Work;
  • Best Choreographic Idea;
  • Best Stage Impact;
  • Best Ensemble.

Prizes may include:

  • trophies;
  • certificates;
  • dancewear;
  • scholarships;
  • special benefits or discounts for other events.

The awarding of scholarships or benefits relating to events organized by external parties does not entail any responsibility on the part of Ballet-ex for initiatives that are not directly managed by the organization.

The Jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Art. 12 – Video and Photography Services

During the event, video and photography services will be available by reservation.

Those interested should contact the following numbers before the event:

Video: Daniele Lattanzi – 338 884 8486

Photography: Massimo Danza – 347 646 0100

Art. 13 – Further Information

For further information about the event, please contact:

Luisa Signorelli
Tel. 339 476 7039
Email: info@balletex.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to perform more than one piece by the same choreographer?
Yes.

Do young children have to pay?
Under SIAE regulations, everyone occupying a seat is required to purchase a ticket.

Is the theatre car park available?
Unfortunately, it is only opened at 8:00 p.m., so it is unlikely to be available for use during the event.

Are the awards presented at the end of each category?
Yes.

Can dancers who have finished performing stay in the theatre after the awards ceremony?
No. They must leave the theatre once their awards ceremony has ended. If they wish to attend the following show, they must purchase a ticket in accordance with SIAE regulations.

How many accompanying adults may enter the dressing rooms with the dancers?
One accompanying adult for every 10 dancers for the Baby and Junior groups.

Are stage rehearsals scheduled?
No.

What types of prizes are awarded in addition to trophies?
Scholarships for events and dancewear.