Date: November 15, 2026

Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Hôtel DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal

Categories:

• Professional
• Amateur
• Pro-Am
• Mixed-Gender
• Solo
• Team
• Open

Participation: Competitors of all nationalities are welcome.
Minimum Age: 18 years old at the time of the competition.
Fees: Non-refundable and non-transferable.

Steps to Register and Obtain the Competitor Pass

Step 1: Register for the Competition

1. Register Online: Follow this link to register: Montreal Heels Festival Dance Competition Registration
2. Choose Categories: Select the categories you wish to compete in.
3. Pay Registration Fees: Pay the registration fees for each chosen category.
4. Submit Registration: Complete and submit your registration form.

• Early Bird: Until September 5
• Regular Price: Until October 15
• Last Chance: Until November 14

Step 2: Purchase the Competitor Pass

1. Obtain Promo Code: Email your proof of registration to montrealheelsfestival@gmail.com. The promo code will be sent to the email address you used to send the proof.
2. Purchase Competitor Pass: Use the promo code to buy the Competitor Pass on Eventbrite. 

Competitor Pass Price Timeline:

• Until October 1: $229 + fees
• Until October 15: $234 + fees
• Until November 1: $239 + fees
• Door Price: $249 + fees

Important Notes:

• Mandatory Pass: All registered competitors must purchase a Competitor Pass.
• Access: The Competitor Pass grants access to all Montreal Heels Festival activities throughout the weekend.
• Separate Transactions: Registering for the competition and purchasing the Competitor Pass are two separate transactions.

Music Upload:

• Upload: Use the upload button on the “Music Upload Link” tab.
• Format: Recommended format is mp3.
• File Naming: Use the format [PerformerName_Category_SongName.mp3].

Additional Details:

• Media Release: By participating, you authorize unrestricted use of media (photos/videos) for commercial purposes.
• Liability: The festival is not responsible for accidents during preparation or performances.
• Restrictions: No nudity or content that may be considered sensitive or offensive
• Compliance: Non-compliance may result in penalties or disqualification.
• Regulation Changes: Regulations are subject to change; participants must accept festival and judges’ decisions.
• Withdrawal Policy: No reimbursement for withdrawn categories after payment.
• Lost Items: The festival is not responsible for lost, stolen, or forgotten items.
• Eliminatory Stage: Elimination rounds may be introduced if necessary.
• Rehearsal: No run-throughs or dress rehearsals on the performance stage.
• Score Announcement: Scores will be available on the website after the event.
• VIP Seating: Upgrades available.

Join us at the 5th Montreal Heels Festival from November 13th to 15th, 2026, for an incredible showcase of talent and passion in the world of Heels dance!

• Non-Refundable Fees: Entry fees for the competition are non-refundable.

• Participant Pass Requirement: All participants must acquire a Performers/Competitors Pass.

• Division Entries: Should any division receive fewer than 3 entries, MHF retains the right to cancel or merge divisions. If a division is canceled, the entry fee will be reimbursed. If divisions are combined, the entry fee will be applied to the merged division.

• Heels Dance Emphasis: As this is the Heels Dance Competition, we encourage participants to embrace the essence of this unique style in their performances.

• Attire and Costumes:Competitors are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. We highly emphasize tastefulness in costume choices. Nudity is strictly prohibited. Costumes will be evaluated as part of the Presentation category.

• Prop Usage:Props are allowed, with the exception of dangerous items. Props must be set up and removed from the stage within a total of two minutes. Competitors must ensure the stage is clean and clear after the routine. For safety reasons, props cannot exceed a height of 6 feet. Confetti and feathers are not permitted. Kindly inform us about any prop usage.

Routine Duration:

• • Solo Showcases: 1 minute 15 seconds to 2 minutes 15 seconds

  • Amateur Showcases:2 minutes 30 seconds or less

  • Pro-Am Showcases:2 minutes 30 seconds or less

  • Team Showcases (Mixed Gender, Same Gender):1 minute 45 seconds to 3 minutes 30 seconds

Music: You can integrate a maximum of 3 songs into your routine.

Judicial Authority:The head judge’s decisions will be considered final in all disputes.

By registering, participants release Montreal Heels Festival and judges from all responsibilities. Additionally, participants acknowledge that their scores will be publicly disclosed. Participants also grant the rights to use their submissions for public and promotional purposes, without limitation.

• CATEGORIES. A grouping based on factors such as the dancer’s skill level, partnership type, groupings or age. It organizes competitors to ensure fair and structured participation by matching individuals or groups with similar experience or characteristics, making the competition more balanced and meaningful.

  • Pro-Am Ladies: A category where a professional dancer (Pro) partners with a female amateur dancer (Am). The amateur competes with the professional, focusing on skill development and performance quality. The Pro is not judged.
  • Pro-Am Men: A category where a professional dancer (Pro) partners with a male amateur dancer (Am). The amateur competes with the professional, focusing on skill development and performance quality. The Pro is not judged
  • Amateur: Amateurs have not competed at the professional level or taken on professional roles in Pro-Am competitions. An amateur dancer is not compensated for teaching or performing.
  • Professional: Once a dancer enters the Professional category, they are no longer eligible to compete as an amateur.  A Professional dancer receives compensation for teaching, performing or choreographing.

  DANCE STYLES

  • Heels Dance: a performance style danced in heels, blending ballet, jazz, hip hop, commercial dance, burlesque, and sensual movement, with emphasis on confidence, musicality, lines, and stage presence. Heels required for all dancers in this category.
  • Open Division: Open to all levels, dance genres, and styles unless otherwise specified. Heels not required.

  DUET: A category in which the routine is performed by two dancers. It highlights the dancers’ skills, connection, and stage presence.

  MIXED-GENDER. Refers to a category or division where dancers of different sexes or gender identities compete together as partners or in groups.

   

  SOLO. An individual performance category where a single dancer performs without a partner. It highlights the dancer’s skills, creativity, and stage presence.

  TEAMS: A group category where four or more dancers perform together. Teams may include synchronized choreography, formations, and creative elements to showcase group dynamics and stage presence. 

   

  TRIO: A category in which the routine is performed by three dancers.  It highlights the dancers’ skills, connection, and stage presence.

AMATEURS

Amateur Heels Solo Male       

Amateur Open Female Same-Gender

Amateur Open Male Same-Gender    

Amateur Open Mixed-Gender            

Amateur Heels Female Same-Gender

Amateur Heels Male Same-Gender    

Amateur Heels Mixed-Gender

Amateur Heels Solo Female   

Amateur Open Solo Female    

Amateur Open Solo Male

PROFESSIONAL

Professional Heels Female Same-Gender       

Professional Heels Male Same-Gender          

Professional Heels Mixed-Gender      

Professional Heels Solo Female          

Professional Heels Solo Male             

Professional Open Female Same-Gender       

Professional Open Male Same-Gender          

Professional Open Mixed-Gender      

TEAMS    

Heels Amateur Team Mixed-Gender              

Heels Pro-Am Ladies Team                 

Heels Pro-Am Men’s Team     

Heels Pro-Am Team Mixed-Gender    

Heels Professional Ladies Team          

Heels Professional Men’s Team          

Heels Professional Team Mixed-Gender         

Open Amateur Ladies Team               

Open Amateur Men’s Team                

Open Amateur Team Mixed-Gender              

Open Pro-Am Ladies Team                 

Open Pro-Am Men’s Team                  

Open Professional Ladies Team                      

Open Professional Men’s Team                      

Open Professional Team Mixed-Gender         

Open Pro-Am Team Mixed-Gender

PRO-AM FEMALE

Heels Pro-Am Female

Heels Pro-Am Female Same-Gender

Open Pro-Am Female 

Open Pro-Am Female Same-Gender

PRO-AM MALE

Heels Pro-Am Male

Heels Pro-Am Male Same-Gender      

Open Pro-Am Male

Open Pro-Am Male Same-Gender

TECHNIQUE (30 points)

Heels Technique & Control

• Balance, posture, alignment, and weight placement in heels
• Clean execution (walks, transitions, floorwork where applicable)
• Precision, stability, and control of movement
• Safe technique and consistency throughout

Musicality (30 points)

• Timing, rhythm accuracy, and musical phrasing
• Use of accents/hits, tempo changes, and dynamic contrast

CHOREOGRAPHY (20 points)

Composition & Creativity

• Clear structure
• Variety of movement vocabulary, levels, textures, and dynamics
• Creative transitions and strong choreography choices
• Heels-specific vocabulary used intentionally

Stage Use & Formations

• Effective use of space, pathways, and directions
• Formations and pattern changes add visual impact (duo/group)
• Smooth, purposeful transitions

PERFORMANCE (20 points)

Stage Presence & Confidence

• Projection, charisma, confidence, and command of the stage
• Strong performance quality from start to finish

Expression & Interpretation

• Emotional connection, storytelling, and theme clarity
• Facial expressions and body expression support the choreography

Connection with the Audience

Teamwork (Duo/Group only)

• Unity, synchronization, spacing, and group chemistry

Noteworthy Detail

In the “Open” divisions, all dance styles are welcome. Example, hip-hop, contemporary, Latin, jazz, or a fusion of styles. This category encourages freedom of expression and individuality, allowing dancers to perform in the style and footwear of their choice. While competitors are not required to wear heels, the same judging criteria is used in other divisions: technique, musicality, performance, creativity, and overall impact.

( Deadline to upload is October 24th )

The file will be handed directly to DJ for your dance competition showcase.

Suggested file type should be mp3 format. Please identify your file as follows:
[PerformerName – SongName.mp3]

<<UPLOAD HERE>>