Compete at the Montreal Bachata Festival

November 13–15, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal

Showcase your talent. Challenge yourself. Take the stage.

NEXT PRICE INCREASE: AUGUST 1

Register before August 1 to secure the current competition rates.

REGISTER HERE
IMPORTANT — Competitor Pass Required Every dancer registered in any competition must also purchase a Competitor Pass. Competitor Passes are offered to registered competitors at a preferential festival rate and provide access to the festival according to the inclusions of that pass.
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Three Competitions to choose from

Showcase Competition

Prepared choreography + your own music

You rehearse a routine and perform individually on the competition floor. 

Solo and Couple routines from 1:30–2:30 and Teams from 1:30–3:00.

Heats Competition

Improvised dancing + DJ-selected music

Multiple couples dance simultaneously. No prepared choreography is required.

Improvised dancing + randomly assigned partners

You enter individually as a Lead or Follow.

How Registration Works

Follow these steps to register for the competition at the Montreal Bachata Festival
Choose a Competition
Create an account
Registration form
Purchase pass
Upload music

Register before prices go up

Register early to secure your current competition fees and preferential Competitor Pass rate.
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COMPETITION CATEGORIES

  • Amateur
  • Pro-Am Ladies
  • Pro-Am Men
  • Professional
  • Teams
  • 17 & Under
  • Pro-Am Ladies
  • Pro-Am Men
  • Amateur
    etc.
  • Lead Beginner
  • Lead Intermediate
  • Lead Advanced
  • Follow Beginner
  • Follow Intermediate
  • Follow Advanced

* Before You Register

✓ Competition registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
✓ Every competitor must hold a valid Competitor Pass.
✓ Competitors may compete at their own level and one level higher.
✓ Showcase competitors must submit their music by the required deadline.
✓ Competitors must check in at the scheduled time. Late arrival may result in disqualification.
✓ Divisions with fewer than three registrations may be combined or cancelled.

COMPETITION RULES

General Rules

These rules apply to all Montreal Bachata Festival competition participants unless a specific competition format states otherwise.

Competitor Pass Required: Every registered competitor must also purchase a valid Competitor Pass. Competition registration and the Competitor Pass are two separate purchases.
  1. Registration fees: Competition registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, except when the Montreal Bachata Festival cancels a division.
  2. Minimum entries: If fewer than three competitors or entries are registered in a division, MBF reserves the right to combine or cancel the division. If cancelled, the applicable competition registration fee will be refunded. If combined, the registration will be transferred to the combined division.
  3. Competition level: Competitors may enter their own level and one level higher where applicable.
  4. Dance style: The performance must remain recognizable as the dance style entered. Competitors are expected to maintain the appropriate rhythm, timing and characteristics of that dance throughout their performance.
  5. Music: Music must correspond to the dance category entered. Rules regarding competitor-selected music apply specifically to Showcase divisions.
  6. Props: Props are not permitted unless explicitly approved by the Competition Director. An item that forms part of the costume and remains attached throughout the routine is not considered a prop.
  7. Sportsmanship: Competitors are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully toward judges, organizers, volunteers and other competitors.
  8. Competition decisions: The Head Judge has final authority regarding judging-related questions, rule interpretation and competition-floor disputes.
  9. Schedule: Competitors are responsible for knowing their scheduled competition and check-in times. Late arrival may result in disqualification without refund.
  10. Liability: By registering, competitors acknowledge the risks associated with dance competition participation and agree to the event’s participation terms and conditions.
A Showcase is a prepared choreographed performance presented by a Solo dancer, Couple or Team to music selected by the competitor.

Choreography & Dance Content

  • The choreography must primarily consist of recognizable movements and characteristics of the dance style entered.
  • Competitors must maintain appropriate timing and musical interpretation throughout the routine.
  • Dips, drops, lifts, tricks, flares and shines are permitted but together should not represent more than approximately 30% of the routine.
  • Tricks, dips, drops and flares must be successfully executed to receive credit from the judges.
  • Verbal expressions such as extended singing or speaking during the performance are discouraged.

Routine Length

Solo 1:30 – 2:30 minutes
Couple 1:30 – 2:30 minutes
Team 1:30 – 3:00 minutes

Stage Time

Showcase competitors have a maximum of 20 seconds to set up before their routine and 20 seconds to exit after the performance.

Costumes

Showcase competitors are expected to wear appropriate performance attire. Costuming forms part of the overall presentation and may be considered by the judges when evaluating showmanship and presentation. Jeans and everyday streetwear are generally not recommended for Showcase performances.

Music

  • Competitors perform to music of their choice.
  • A routine may contain a maximum of three songs.
  • Music must correspond to the dance style entered.
  • Music must be submitted before the published deadline.
Remember: Showcase music submission is a separate step from competition registration.

Heats are improvised partner-dance competitions. Several couples share the competition floor and dance simultaneously to music selected by the DJ.

No choreography is required. Heats are designed to evaluate social dancing, lead-and-follow ability, timing, musicality, connection and technique.

Competition Format

  • Music is selected by the competition DJ.
  • Each round generally lasts approximately 1 to 1.5 minutes.
  • There are no choreographed entrances or exits.
  • The tempo may be adjusted according to the level of the division.

Lead & Follow

The partnership should demonstrate clear communication between Lead and Follow while maintaining the rhythm and characteristics of the dance entered.

Shines

Shines and side-by-side movements are permitted but should not exceed approximately 20% of the dance.

Lifts, Tricks & Drops

  • Dips, lifts, aerials, tricks and drops are not permitted.
  • A supported movement in which a dancer has both feet off the floor may result in a deduction.
  • A movement in which a dancer is lifted above their partner’s shoulder level may result in disqualification.

Attire

Formal competition costumes are not required for Heats. Clean, comfortable dancewear is permitted, including jeans, leggings, tops, T-shirts and appropriate dance or athletic footwear.

Callbacks

  • 12 or fewer entries: a callback round may not be required.
  • 13–20 entries: approximately 6–10 couples may be recalled.
  • More than 20 entries: one or more callback rounds may be used.

Callback structure may be modified by the Head Judge or Competition Director based on the number of entries and available competition time.

Jack & Jill is an improvisational Bachata competition where dancers enter individually rather than with a fixed partner.
No partner required. Register as either a Lead or Follow and meet your competition partners on the floor.

Competition Format

  • Competitors register individually as a Lead or Follow.
  • Partners are randomly assigned during competition rounds.
  • Competition style: Bachata only.
  • No prepared choreography is required.
  • Dancers must adapt to different partners throughout the competition.
  • Elimination and/or callback rounds may be used until finalists are determined.

What Judges Are Looking For

  • Improvisation
  • Connection
  • Lead-and-follow ability
  • Musicality
  • Adaptability
  • Artistry and overall dance quality

Levels

Beginner Less than 1 year of dance experience
Intermediate 1 year or more of dance experience
Advanced Advanced dancers and teachers / approximately 5+ years

Teachers should register in the Advanced division regardless of years of teaching experience.

Dress Code

Casual attire is permitted. A dance costume is not required.
  • Jeans, leggings, T-shirts and casual dancewear are permitted.
  • Dance shoes are recommended.
  • Sneakers are permitted.
  • Attire must remain appropriate for a public competition environment.
Competitor Pass: Every Jack & Jill participant must also purchase the mandatory Competitor Pass.
Level Rule: Competitors may generally compete in their current level and one level higher. Competitors may not enter a division below their appropriate ability level.

Beginner / Newcomer

Designed for dancers who are new to the dance style or competition environment.
  • Focus on fundamentals, connection, timing and basic technique.
  • Single turns and basic travelling patterns are permitted.
  • Double or multiple turns are not expected.
  • Generally appropriate for dancers with less than one year of experience.

Novice

For dancers who understand the fundamental elements of the style and have begun developing greater control and consistency.
  • Strong basic technique is expected.
  • Single and 1½ turns may be used.
  • Multiple rotations and advanced technical material should be limited.

Pre-Intermediate

Designed for advanced beginners and developing intermediate dancers.
  • Greater rhythmic variety is permitted.
  • Single and consecutive 1½ turns are permitted.
  • Multiple rotations are not permitted.
  • Generally appropriate for dancers with approximately one year or more of training.

Intermediate

For dancers with a solid command of fundamentals who are beginning to execute more complex patterns and technical material.
  • Free spins and double turns are permitted.
  • Syncopations, shines, styling and body movement may be incorporated.
  • Multiple turns beyond doubles are generally not permitted.
  • Typically appropriate for dancers with approximately 1–2 years or more of experience.

Pre-Advanced

For high-level intermediate dancers who demonstrate strong technique, timing, connection and musical interpretation and are progressing toward advanced competitive ability.

Advanced

For experienced competitors with strong technical ability, musical interpretation, timing, partnering skills and command of advanced material.
  • Multiple turns and advanced travelling movements may be used where permitted by the competition format.
  • Strong styling and musicality are expected.
  • Competitors should demonstrate complete control of intermediate material before entering this level.

Team Levels

Intermediate Team: Intended for teams whose routine and average dancer level are considered intermediate. As a general guideline, the routine has been performed or competed for six months or less. Advanced Team: Intended for teams whose routine and average dancer level demonstrate advanced competitive ability. As a general guideline, the routine has been performed or competed for more than six months.

Jack & Jill Levels

  • Beginner: less than 1 year.
  • Intermediate: 1 year or more.
  • Advanced: advanced dancers, teachers and generally dancers with substantial experience.

Age Divisions

Age eligibility is determined by the competitor’s age on the day of the competition.
  • 17 & Under
  • 18 & Over / Open Adult
  • Over 40
  • Over 50
  • Over 60, where offered

Amateur

A dancer who has not entered professional-level competition. Amateur dancers may teach, perform and receive compensation without automatically being considered Professional for MBF competition purposes.

Professional

A dancer who competes in the Professional division. Once a dancer has entered MBF as a Professional, they may not subsequently compete as an Amateur, although they may participate as the professional partner in Pro-Am divisions.

Pro-Am

A partnership consisting of one Professional dancer and one Amateur dancer. Pro-Am Ladies: Professional Lead partnered with an Amateur female competitor. Pro-Am Men: Professional Follow partnered with an Amateur male competitor.

Solo

An individual competition entry performed without a partner.

Couple

A partnership of two dancers performing together using lead-and-follow, choreography or both, depending on the competition format.

Team

A group of three or more dancers competing together.
  • Small Team: 8 dancers or fewer.
  • Large Team: 9 dancers or more.

Pro-Am Team

A team containing both Professional and Amateur dancers. At least one dancer must be Professional and at least one dancer must be Amateur.

Showcase

A prepared choreographed performance by a Solo, Couple or Team using competitor-selected music.

Heat / Just Dance

An improvised partner competition in which multiple couples dance simultaneously to music selected by the competition DJ.

Jack & Jill

An individual-entry competition in which Leads and Follows are randomly paired and judged on improvised Bachata dancing.

Shines

Footwork and styling performed without a partner connection. Shines may be choreographed or improvised depending on the competition format.

Open Division

A division open to multiple ages, levels, partnership configurations or styles unless limitations are specifically stated in the division title.

Age Divisions

Over 40 / Over 50 / Over 60: All competitors who determine the age eligibility of the entry must meet the stated minimum age on the day of competition. 17 & Under: Competitors must be 17 years of age or younger on the day of competition.

Same-Gender Partnership

A partnership division in which dancers of the same gender may compete together.
Competition Categories: The complete list of available Showcase and Heat categories appears in the separate Competition Categories section above.

Showcase Judging

Showcase competitors perform a prepared routine to music of their choice. Judges evaluate the performance using the following criteria:
20% Timing Accuracy and consistency of timing appropriate to the dance style.
15% Musicality Interpretation of musical phrasing, accents, dynamics and rhythm.
15% Technique Balance, alignment, body control, movement quality and dance-specific technique.
15% Difficulty Complexity of patterns, turns, footwork and permitted technical elements.
15% Partnership & Connection Lead-and-follow communication, synchronization and partnership quality.
10% Choreography Creativity, structure, floorcraft, phrasing and originality.
10% Presentation & Showmanship Stage presence, costume, charisma, audience engagement and sportsmanship.

Heat Judging

Heats focus primarily on social dance ability rather than choreography. Judges consider:
  • Timing and consistent rhythm
  • Lead-and-follow ability
  • Connection
  • Dance-specific technique
  • Musicality
  • Quality of movement
  • Floorcraft
  • Appropriate difficulty for the entered level

Jack & Jill Judging

Jack & Jill competitors are evaluated individually while dancing with randomly assigned partners. Judges consider:
  • Improvisation
  • Connection
  • Lead-and-follow ability
  • Musicality
  • Adaptability to different partners
  • Technique
  • Artistry and overall dance quality

Salsa Timing

The recognized Salsa timing is 1-2-3 / 5-6-7. Competitors may dance On1 or On2 where permitted by the division but must maintain consistent timing throughout their performance.
Showcase Music Upload Deadline: October 24, 2026
Showcase competitors must submit their final competition music before the deadline.

Music Requirements

  • Recommended format: MP3.
  • A Showcase routine may contain a maximum of three songs.
  • If multiple songs are used, please prepare one final edited competition file before uploading.
  • The music must correspond to the dance style entered.

File Name

Please name the file using the following format:
Performer Name – Song Title.mp3
Where possible, also include your competition category or division in the upload information. Upload Showcase Music

Music upload applies to Showcase competitors. Heat and Jack & Jill music is selected by the competition DJ.

All competitors must check in during the official competition check-in period. Late arrival may result in disqualification without refund.

Check-In

Competitors must confirm their presence with the competition team and verify their registration, divisions and competition number before competing.

Competition Numbers

Only one competition number is required for a Couple entry.
  • In Pro-Am divisions, the Amateur competitor should wear the competition number.
  • In Amateur and other partnership divisions, the Competition Team will identify which partner should wear the number at check-in.
  • The number must remain clearly visible to the judges.

Showcase Order

Performance order may be determined or adjusted by the Competition Director. Competitors must be ready when their division is called.

Floor Access

Showcase: competitors have up to 20 seconds to enter and prepare and up to 20 seconds to leave the competition floor. Heats: competitors should enter the floor promptly when called. Choreographed entrances and exits are not permitted. Jack & Jill: competitors must report promptly when their Lead or Follow division is called and follow partner-rotation instructions from the competition team.

Questions & Disputes

Any competition-floor question or dispute should be directed to the Competition Director or Head Judge. The Head Judge’s decision regarding judging and rule interpretation is final.

Awards

Competitors who place in applicable divisions must remain available for the scheduled awards presentation.
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Competition Registration

Complete your competition registration below. Your Montreal Bachata Festival page will remain open in the background.