Date: November 15, 2026

Time: Doors 7:30pm – Show 8:30pm

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal – Grand Salon

Categories

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

Minimum Age: 18 years old at the time of the competition.

Fees: All competition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Steps to Register and Obtain the Competitor Pass

Step 1: Register for the Competition

1. Register Online: Follow the registration link for the Montreal Heels Festival Dance Competition.
2. Choose Your Categories: Select the categories in which you wish to compete.
3. Pay Registration Fees: Pay the applicable registration fee for each selected category.
4. Submit Your Registration: Complete and submit your competition registration.

Registration Deadlines

• Early Bird: Until September 5, 2026
• Regular Price: Until October 15, 2026
• Last Chance: Until November 14, 2026

Step 2: Purchase the Competitor Pass

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

Important Notes

• Mandatory Pass: All registered competitors must purchase a Competitor Pass.
• Access: The Competitor Pass grants access to Montreal Heels Festival activities throughout the weekend, except Bootcamps.
• Separate Transactions: Competition registration and the purchase of the Competitor Pass are two separate transactions.

Music Upload

• Upload: Use the upload button located under the “Music Upload Link” tab.
• Format: MP3 is the recommended file format.
• File Naming: Please name your file using the following format: PerformerName_Category_SongName.mp3

Additional Details

• Media Release: By participating in the competition, participants authorize the festival to use photos and videos captured during the event for promotional and commercial purposes.
• Liability: The festival is not responsible for accidents or injuries occurring during preparation, rehearsals, or performances.
• Restrictions: Nudity and content that may reasonably be considered offensive, inappropriate, or excessively sensitive are not permitted.
• Compliance: Failure to comply with competition rules may result in penalties or disqualification.
• Regulation Changes: Competition regulations are subject to change. Participants agree to respect the decisions of the festival organizers and judges.
• Withdrawal Policy: No refunds will be issued for categories withdrawn after payment has been made.
• Lost Items: The festival is not responsible for lost, stolen, or forgotten personal belongings.
• Elimination Rounds: Elimination rounds may be introduced if required based on the number of registrations.
• Rehearsals: Run-throughs and dress rehearsals on the competition stage are not permitted.
• Scores: Competition scores will be made available on the website after the event.
• VIP Seating: VIP seating upgrades are available.

Join us at the 5th Montreal Heels Festival, November 13–15, 2026, for an unforgettable weekend celebrating talent, artistry, confidence, and passion in the world of Heels dance!

Competition Rules & Requirements

• Non-Refundable Fees:
  Competition entry fees are non-refundable, except when a division is cancelled by the Montreal Heels Festival.
• Competitor Pass Requirement:
  All registered competitors must purchase a Competitor Pass.
• Division Entries:
  If a division receives fewer than three entries, the Montreal Heels Festival reserves the right to cancel the division or combine it with another appropriate division. If a division is cancelled, the entry fee will be refunded. If divisions are combined, the entry fee will be applied to the merged division.
• Heels Dance Emphasis:
  As this is a Heels dance competition, competitors are encouraged to embrace the technique, style, confidence, musicality, and performance qualities associated with Heels dance.
• Attire and Costumes:
  Competitors are encouraged to wear costumes or coordinated performance outfits. Costumes should be tasteful and appropriate for the event. Nudity is strictly prohibited. Costume and overall appearance may be considered as part of the presentation score.
• Props:
  Props are permitted, except for dangerous or hazardous items. The total time required to set up and remove props must not exceed two minutes. Competitors are responsible for leaving the stage clean and clear following their performance. For safety reasons, props may not exceed six feet in height. Confetti and feathers are not permitted. Please notify the festival in advance if your routine includes props.

Routine Duration

• Solo Showcases:
  1 minute 15 seconds to 2 minutes 15 seconds
• Pro-Am Showcases:
  2 minutes 30 seconds or less
• Team Showcases – Mixed Gender or Same Gender:
  1 minute 45 seconds to 3 minutes 30 seconds

Music

A maximum of three songs may be incorporated into one competition routine.

Judging Authority

The Head Judge’s decision is final in all matters relating to scoring, judging, penalties, and competition disputes.

Participant Agreement

By registering for the competition, participants acknowledge and accept the Montreal Heels Festival competition rules and agree to abide by the decisions of the festival organizers and judges.

Participants acknowledge that competition scores and results may be made publicly available following the event.

By participating, competitors authorize the Montreal Heels Festival to photograph, film, record, reproduce, publish, and use images and video captured during the event for promotional, marketing, social media, and other festival-related purposes.

Categories

A grouping based on factors such as a dancer’s skill level, partnership type, group size, or age. Categories organize competitors to ensure fair and structured participation by matching individuals or groups with similar experience or characteristics.

• Pro-Am Ladies:
  A category in which a professional dancer (Pro) partners with a female amateur dancer (Am). The amateur competitor is judged on her dancing, skill development, and performance quality. The professional partner is not judged.
• Pro-Am Men:
  A category in which a professional dancer (Pro) partners with a male amateur dancer (Am). The amateur competitor is judged on his dancing, skill development, and performance quality. The professional partner is not judged.
• Amateur:
  An amateur dancer has not competed at the professional level or participated as the professional partner in a Pro-Am competition. An amateur dancer does not receive compensation for teaching or performing.
• Professional:
  A professional dancer receives compensation for teaching, performing, or choreographing. Once a dancer competes in the Professional category, they are no longer eligible to compete as an Amateur.
• Solo:
  A category in which one dancer performs individually without a partner. The routine highlights the dancer’s technique, creativity, musicality, performance quality, and stage presence.
• Duet:
  A category in which the routine is performed by two dancers. The performance highlights the dancers’ individual skills, connection, synchronization, musicality, and stage presence.
• Trio:
  A category in which the routine is performed by three dancers. The performance highlights the dancers’ individual skills, connection, synchronization, formations, and stage presence.
• Mixed-Gender:
  A category or division in which dancers of different sexes or gender identities perform together as partners or as part of a group.
• Teams:
  A group category in which four or more dancers perform together. Team routines may incorporate synchronized choreography, formations, transitions, and creative elements that showcase group dynamics and stage presence.

Dance Styles

• Heels Dance:
  A performance style danced in heels that may incorporate elements of ballet, jazz, hip hop, commercial dance, burlesque, and sensual movement. Emphasis is placed on technique, confidence, musicality, lines, movement quality, and stage presence. Heels are required for all dancers competing in this category.
• Open Division:
  Open to all levels, dance genres, and styles unless otherwise specified. Heels are not required.