Azerbaijan
Dance Festival
Open to the World Dance Festival
A Wind of Change, a Light of Ideas, a Fire of Desires… The Meeting Point for Every Dancer!
Open to the World
Dance Festival
Dance Festival
Future dates
information
Information for Participants of Azerbaijan Dance Festival
Date:
October 29 - November 2, 2026
Address:
Baku, JW Marriott Absheron
Pro Am
information
AzDF Prize Money
information
Full Event Program
information
Additional Services & Packages
information
To be announced soon
Entires open from 15th July 2026
30 October - 1 November 2026
29 October - 31 October 2027
26 October - 29 October 2028
25 October -28 October 2029
Book your dance vacation and experience Azerbaijan with us
29 October - 31 October 2027
26 October - 29 October 2028
25 October -28 October 2029
Book your dance vacation and experience Azerbaijan with us
About the festival
Azerbaijan Dance Festival 2026
Feel the Rhythm. Live the Culture.
Join us in Baku for a breathtaking celebration of dance from around the world. The Azerbaijan Dance Festival 2026 brings together global styles, top performers, and passionate dancers for a week of competitions, workshops, gala shows, and cultural exchange.
From traditional Azerbaijani rhythms to international beats — experience the power of movement in the heart of the Caucasus.
One stage. All the world.
Welcome to the rhythm of the future.
Feel the Rhythm. Live the Culture.
Join us in Baku for a breathtaking celebration of dance from around the world. The Azerbaijan Dance Festival 2026 brings together global styles, top performers, and passionate dancers for a week of competitions, workshops, gala shows, and cultural exchange.
From traditional Azerbaijani rhythms to international beats — experience the power of movement in the heart of the Caucasus.
One stage. All the world.
Welcome to the rhythm of the future.
Schedule
Judges
Results
Regulations
JUDGES
Azerbaijan Dance Festival
Alexandra Perzhy
Andrej Škufca
Andrey Moseichuk
Anna Oksengoit
Artem Kozyro
Augusto Schiavo
Cristian Grozea
Domen Krapez
Anastasia Rybalko
Dusan Dragovic
Eka Archai
Eldar Dzhafarov
Elizaveta Tolmacheva
Evgeny Smagin
Fabio Selmi
Gaitano Sentina
Hannes Emrich
Igor Kim
Iliya Makovskiy
Jack Beal
Markus Hilton
Maxim Kondratiev
Mirko Gozzoli
Natalie Weakfield
Olga Foraponova
Rita Short
Robin Short
Stefano De Filippo
Taliat Tarsinov
Veronica Boltvina
Yang Ciao
The International Judging Panel may be updated and expanded as additional adjudicators confirm their participation. Please follow our latest announcements.
Andrej Škufca
Andrey Moseichuk
Anna Oksengoit
Artem Kozyro
Augusto Schiavo
Cristian Grozea
Domen Krapez
Anastasia Rybalko
Dusan Dragovic
Eka Archai
Eldar Dzhafarov
Elizaveta Tolmacheva
Evgeny Smagin
Fabio Selmi
Gaitano Sentina
Hannes Emrich
Igor Kim
Iliya Makovskiy
Jack Beal
Markus Hilton
Maxim Kondratiev
Mirko Gozzoli
Natalie Weakfield
Olga Foraponova
Rita Short
Robin Short
Stefano De Filippo
Taliat Tarsinov
Veronica Boltvina
Yang Ciao
The International Judging Panel may be updated and expanded as additional adjudicators confirm their participation. Please follow our latest announcements.
Azerbaijan International Dance Congress
29 October 2026 (Thursday)
08:30–13:00/ 13.30-18.00 — Private Lessons
18:00–18:30 — Alexandra Perzhu
18:30–19:00 — Natalie Wakefield
19:00–19:30 — Olga Foraponova
19:30–20:00 — Taliat Tarsinov
20:15–21:00 — Guided Practice (Ballroom & Smooth)
21:15–22:00 — Guided Practice (Latin)
30 October 2026 (Friday )
08:30–13:00 — Private Lessons upon availability
Lectures Schedule
08:00–08:30 — Dusan Dragovic
08:30–09:00 — Domen Krapez
09:00–09:30 — Mirko Gozzoli
09:45–10:15 — Gartano Sentina
10:15–10:45 — Andrej Škufca
10:45–11:15 — Hannes Emrich
11:15–11:45 — Evgeny Smagin
11:45–12:15 — Stefano De Filippo
12:30–13:00 —Augusto Schiavo
13:00–13:30 —Marcus Hilton
13:30–14:00 —Robin Short
08:30–13:00/ 13.30-18.00 — Private Lessons
18:00–18:30 — Alexandra Perzhu
18:30–19:00 — Natalie Wakefield
19:00–19:30 — Olga Foraponova
19:30–20:00 — Taliat Tarsinov
20:15–21:00 — Guided Practice (Ballroom & Smooth)
21:15–22:00 — Guided Practice (Latin)
30 October 2026 (Friday )
08:30–13:00 — Private Lessons upon availability
Lectures Schedule
08:00–08:30 — Dusan Dragovic
08:30–09:00 — Domen Krapez
09:00–09:30 — Mirko Gozzoli
09:45–10:15 — Gartano Sentina
10:15–10:45 — Andrej Škufca
10:45–11:15 — Hannes Emrich
11:15–11:45 — Evgeny Smagin
11:45–12:15 — Stefano De Filippo
12:30–13:00 —Augusto Schiavo
13:00–13:30 —Marcus Hilton
13:30–14:00 —Robin Short
REGISTRATION
Azerbaijan Dance Festival
Pro Am
Azerbaijan Dance Festival
Date: November 1
Event: Open to the World Pro-Am
• Single Dance
• Multi-Dance
• Scholarship
• Super Trophy
• World Cup Pro-Am Series Event (double-point event) All ages · All levels
Dance Nominations
Ballroom · Latin · Smooth · Rhythm · Argentine Tango · Caribbean Mix
Levels
Bronze Closed · Silver Closed · Gold Closed
Bronze Open · Silver Open · Gold Open · Gold Star Open
Age Categories
Single Dance Events:
A1 (17–25) · A2 (26–35) · B1 (36–43) · B2 (44–50) · C1 (51–58) · C2 (59+)
Multi-Dance & Scholarship Events:
A (16–35) · B (36–50) · C (51+)
Registration Fees
(Admission tickets are included in the entry fee)
Category Fee (USD) Registration Period: Sept 20 – Oct 20, 2026
Open to the World Pro-Am – Single Dance $45
3-Multi-Dance Events $120
4-Multi-Dance Events $165
5-Multi-Dance Events $210
Scholarship Events $290
Super Trophy Events $330
World Cup Pro-Am Dance Series (double-point event) $350
Event: Open to the World Pro-Am
• Single Dance
• Multi-Dance
• Scholarship
• Super Trophy
• World Cup Pro-Am Series Event (double-point event) All ages · All levels
Dance Nominations
Ballroom · Latin · Smooth · Rhythm · Argentine Tango · Caribbean Mix
Levels
Bronze Closed · Silver Closed · Gold Closed
Bronze Open · Silver Open · Gold Open · Gold Star Open
Age Categories
Single Dance Events:
A1 (17–25) · A2 (26–35) · B1 (36–43) · B2 (44–50) · C1 (51–58) · C2 (59+)
Multi-Dance & Scholarship Events:
A (16–35) · B (36–50) · C (51+)
Registration Fees
(Admission tickets are included in the entry fee)
Category Fee (USD) Registration Period: Sept 20 – Oct 20, 2026
Open to the World Pro-Am – Single Dance $45
3-Multi-Dance Events $120
4-Multi-Dance Events $165
5-Multi-Dance Events $210
Scholarship Events $290
Super Trophy Events $330
World Cup Pro-Am Dance Series (double-point event) $350
AzDF Prize Money
Azerbaijan Dance Festival
Open to the World Professional Ballroom Championship
Place Prize
1st $1,500
2nd $1,100
3rd $900
4th $600
5th $500
6th $400
Total: $5,000
Open to the World Professional Latin Championship
Place Prize
1st $1,500
2nd $1,100
3rd $900
4th $600
5th $500
6th $400
Total: $5,000
Open to the World Amateur Over-16 Ballroom
Place Prize
1st $1,000
2nd $700
3rd $600
4th $500
5th $400
6th $300
Total: $3,500
Open to the World Amateur Over-16 Latin
Place Prize
1st $1,000
2nd $700
3rd $600
4th $500
5th $400
6th $300
Total: $3,500
SRDS Super Trophy Smooth
Place Prize
1st $1,000
2nd $700
3rd $600
4th $500
5th $400
6th $300
Total: $3,500
Additional Services & Packages
Azerbaijan Dance Festival
Individual Services
Service Price (USD per person)
AzDF Dance Congress Attendance (Oct 29–30) $120
Admission Ticket – Oct 31 $40
Admission Ticket – Nov 1 $40
Gala Show “Night of the Dancing Diamonds” – Oct 30
VIP Table Seat $500
Platinum Table Seat (second-row tables) $350
First-Row Seat $150
Amphitheater Seat $70
Gala Evening – Oct 31
VIP Table Seat $350
Platinum Table Seat (second-row tables) $250
First-Row Seat $120
Amphitheater Seat $50
Gala Evening – Nov 1
VIP Table Seat $350
Platinum Table Seat (second-row tables) $250
First-Row Seat $120
Amphitheater Seat $50
Afterparty – Nov 1 $150
Packages
Silver Package – $1,600 (per person)
• Official hotel: 3 nights (Check-in Oct 30 / Check-out Nov 2)
• Admission tickets & Platinum Table seats for Gala Evenings (Oct 30-31, Nov 1)
• Afterparty (Nov 1)
Gold Package – $1,900 (per person)
• Official hotel: 3 nights (Check-in Oct 30 / Check-out Nov 2)
• Lunches on Oct 31, Nov 1
• Exclusive City Guide Tour (Oct 31)
• Admission tickets & Platinum Table seats for Gala Evenings (Oct 30-31, Nov 1)
• Afterparty (Nov 1)
VIP Package – $2,900 (per person)
• Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
• Official hotel: 5 nights (Check-in Oct 28 / Check-out Nov 2)
• AzDF Dance Congress attendance (Oct 29–30)
• Lunches on Oct 29–30–31 and Nov 1
• Exclusive City Guide Tour (Oct 31)
• Admission tickets & VIP Table seats for Gala Evenings (Oct 30-31, Nov 1)
• Afterparty (Nov 1)
VIP Package – $5,000 (for two persons / $2,500 each)
• All benefits of the single VIP Package for two people.
Service Price (USD per person)
AzDF Dance Congress Attendance (Oct 29–30) $120
Admission Ticket – Oct 31 $40
Admission Ticket – Nov 1 $40
Gala Show “Night of the Dancing Diamonds” – Oct 30
VIP Table Seat $500
Platinum Table Seat (second-row tables) $350
First-Row Seat $150
Amphitheater Seat $70
Gala Evening – Oct 31
VIP Table Seat $350
Platinum Table Seat (second-row tables) $250
First-Row Seat $120
Amphitheater Seat $50
Gala Evening – Nov 1
VIP Table Seat $350
Platinum Table Seat (second-row tables) $250
First-Row Seat $120
Amphitheater Seat $50
Afterparty – Nov 1 $150
Packages
Silver Package – $1,600 (per person)
• Official hotel: 3 nights (Check-in Oct 30 / Check-out Nov 2)
• Admission tickets & Platinum Table seats for Gala Evenings (Oct 30-31, Nov 1)
• Afterparty (Nov 1)
Gold Package – $1,900 (per person)
• Official hotel: 3 nights (Check-in Oct 30 / Check-out Nov 2)
• Lunches on Oct 31, Nov 1
• Exclusive City Guide Tour (Oct 31)
• Admission tickets & Platinum Table seats for Gala Evenings (Oct 30-31, Nov 1)
• Afterparty (Nov 1)
VIP Package – $2,900 (per person)
• Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
• Official hotel: 5 nights (Check-in Oct 28 / Check-out Nov 2)
• AzDF Dance Congress attendance (Oct 29–30)
• Lunches on Oct 29–30–31 and Nov 1
• Exclusive City Guide Tour (Oct 31)
• Admission tickets & VIP Table seats for Gala Evenings (Oct 30-31, Nov 1)
• Afterparty (Nov 1)
VIP Package – $5,000 (for two persons / $2,500 each)
• All benefits of the single VIP Package for two people.
Full Event Program
Azerbaijan Dance Festival
29-30 October
International Dance Camp
30th October anniversary
Gala show “Night of the dancing Diamonds “
SRDS Super Trophy Ranking Event
31st October
WADF Artistic Smooth Championship
SRDS Super Trophy Ranking event for solo dancers in all age categories
Open to the World events in Latin, Ballroom, Smooth divisions for solos and couples under the following age categories:
Juveniles (under 8)
Juveniles (under 10)
Juveniles (under 12)
Juniors (under 14)
Juniors (under 16)
Youth (under 19)
Youth (under 21)
Adults (16+)
Professionals
Seniors
1st November
Open to the world Pro Am events in
Ballroom , Latin, Smooth, Rhythm , Argentine Tango, Caribbean Mix
AzDC Argentine Tango, AzDC Salsa , AzDC Bachata championships
World Cup Pro Am series
Afterparty “My Azerbaijan”
International Dance Camp
30th October anniversary
Gala show “Night of the dancing Diamonds “
SRDS Super Trophy Ranking Event
31st October
WADF Artistic Smooth Championship
SRDS Super Trophy Ranking event for solo dancers in all age categories
Open to the World events in Latin, Ballroom, Smooth divisions for solos and couples under the following age categories:
Juveniles (under 8)
Juveniles (under 10)
Juveniles (under 12)
Juniors (under 14)
Juniors (under 16)
Youth (under 19)
Youth (under 21)
Adults (16+)
Professionals
Seniors
1st November
Open to the world Pro Am events in
Ballroom , Latin, Smooth, Rhythm , Argentine Tango, Caribbean Mix
AzDC Argentine Tango, AzDC Salsa , AzDC Bachata championships
World Cup Pro Am series
Afterparty “My Azerbaijan”
International Dance Congress
International Dance Congress
On October 29-30, an intensive day of private lessons will be available with top international instructors in International Ballroom, International Latin, and International Smooth
On October 30, join inspiring masterclasses led by world-renowned professionals to elevate your dance skills.
On October 29-30, an intensive day of private lessons will be available with top international instructors in International Ballroom, International Latin, and International Smooth
On October 30, join inspiring masterclasses led by world-renowned professionals to elevate your dance skills.
Organizers and partners
On behalf of the Azerbaijan Dance Council and myself personally, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the World Dance Council — and especially to its President, Mr. Donnie Burns — for the trust and strong belief in our organization. We are deeply honored by the decision to grant Azerbaijan the right to host one of the most prestigious WDC World titles and WDC AL titles.
Since becoming a member of the WDC family in 2011 and achieving full membership in 2018, Azerbaijan has worked tirelessly to elevate the presence of top-tier dance events in the Caucasus region. Hosting this World & European Championships marks a significant milestone in our journey — one that began with the successful launch of WDC-recognized events in 2019. And first time this year the WDC AL world events.
Tonight’s celebration is made even more special as we honor the anniversary of our National Artist and President of the Azerbaijan Dance Council, Tarana Muradova — a visionary leader whose dedication and passion have shaped the foundation of our success.
Since becoming a member of the WDC family in 2011 and achieving full membership in 2018, Azerbaijan has worked tirelessly to elevate the presence of top-tier dance events in the Caucasus region. Hosting this World & European Championships marks a significant milestone in our journey — one that began with the successful launch of WDC-recognized events in 2019. And first time this year the WDC AL world events.
Tonight’s celebration is made even more special as we honor the anniversary of our National Artist and President of the Azerbaijan Dance Council, Tarana Muradova — a visionary leader whose dedication and passion have shaped the foundation of our success.
National Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Vice-rector of the Baku Academy of Choreography, President of Azerbaijan Dance Council
Tarana Muradova
Tarana Muradova
Dear Participants,
On behalf of SRDS and myself personally, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Azerbaijan Dance Festival — a celebration of movement, culture, and unity through the universal language of dance.
This festival brings together passionate artists from across the globe to share their talent, energy, and love for the art we all hold so dear. It is a unique space where tradition meets innovation, and where each dancer contributes to an unforgettable atmosphere of inspiration and excellence.
Azerbaijan, with its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, offers the perfect stage for such a remarkable gathering. I am confident that this experience will leave each of you with beautiful memories, new friendships, and renewed motivation to grow and shine.
Wishing you all an exciting, fulfilling, and joyful festival. Let the rhythm lead you forward!
On behalf of SRDS and myself personally, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Azerbaijan Dance Festival — a celebration of movement, culture, and unity through the universal language of dance.
This festival brings together passionate artists from across the globe to share their talent, energy, and love for the art we all hold so dear. It is a unique space where tradition meets innovation, and where each dancer contributes to an unforgettable atmosphere of inspiration and excellence.
Azerbaijan, with its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, offers the perfect stage for such a remarkable gathering. I am confident that this experience will leave each of you with beautiful memories, new friendships, and renewed motivation to grow and shine.
Wishing you all an exciting, fulfilling, and joyful festival. Let the rhythm lead you forward!
Warm regards,
Olga Krasnyanskaya
President of SRDS
Olga Krasnyanskaya
President of SRDS
Dear Friends,
We are truly happy to welcome you to the Azerbaijan Dance Festival.
Dance has been at the heart of our lives for many years, and through this festival, we would like to share our experience, passion, and love for dance with each of you.
We hope that every participant feels our personal care and enjoys not only the dancing, but also the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of our sunny country.
May this festival bring you new inspiration, unforgettable emotions, and beautiful memories.
We are truly happy to welcome you to the Azerbaijan Dance Festival.
Dance has been at the heart of our lives for many years, and through this festival, we would like to share our experience, passion, and love for dance with each of you.
We hope that every participant feels our personal care and enjoys not only the dancing, but also the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of our sunny country.
May this festival bring you new inspiration, unforgettable emotions, and beautiful memories.
With lova,
Eldar Dzhafarov & Anna Sazhina
Honoured Masters of Sport of Azerbaijan
Six-time World Champions
Founders of the Azerbaijan Dance Council
Eldar Dzhafarov & Anna Sazhina
Honoured Masters of Sport of Azerbaijan
Six-time World Champions
Founders of the Azerbaijan Dance Council
General Partners
Information Partners
Official Sponsor
Official hotels & Venues
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