11th International Festival-Competition of Show-programs

CHRISTMAS SURPRISE 2026

January 09-11

Competition day – January 10

Concert hall Spelet (ex ‘Studio 69’)

Latvia, Rīga, Brīvības iela 96a

PARTICIPATION RULES

Age categories for all competitions and nominations:

• up to 6 years
• 7–9 years
• 10–13 years
• 14–17 years
• 18+ years
• Mix

The age group of ensembles is determined by the average age of participants.

Duration of each competition performance — up to 4 minutes. Theaters – up to 10 minutes.

If the established time is exceeded, the organizers reserve the right to stop the soundtrack or deduct points for violation of the regulations.

All participants are requested to plan their performances carefully in accordance with the set time.

Dance accompaniment is allowed during performances.

Each participant or group may perform in several nominations.

1. Instrumental Music

Participants:

• soloists
• small groups (duet, trio, quartet, quintet)
• ensembles (up to 12 people)
• orchestras

Competition nominations:

• classical music
• folk music
• classical music in modern arrangement
• jazz
• contemporary music

Instruments:

• string instruments
• keyboard instruments
• plucked instruments
• wind instruments
• percussion instruments
• folk instruments
• bowed instruments

Program Requirements:
Ensemble of 4 to 12 people — accompanist is allowed.
Orchestra of 13 people or more — teachers may perform as part of the orchestra, but no more than 15% of the total number of participants.

Evaluation criteria:

• intonation accuracy and sound quality
• performance skills
• repertoire compliance with performer’s age and capabilities
• stage presence

2. Choral Art Competition

Participants: choirs of 10 or more people.

Competition nominations:

• pop vocals
• folk singing
• academic vocals
• Gospel

Program Requirement:
One or two contrasting pieces.

Live accompaniment, soundtracks, and use of amplification equipment (microphones and speakers) are allowed.

Evaluation criteria:

• intonation
• sound quality
• score compliance or interpretation quality (depending on nomination)
• overall impression of the performance

3. Vocal Competition

Participants: soloists, duets, trios, groups of 4 or more.

Nominations:

• world hit
• folk song
• original song
• jazz
• pop-rock
• academic vocals

Vocalists sing live with “-1” backing track or musical instrument (synthesizer or other), or a cappella.

Evaluation criteria:

• intonation accuracy and sound quality
• performance skills
• repertoire compliance with performer’s age and capabilities
• stage presence

4. Choreography Competition

Participants: soloists, duets, trios, groups of 4 or more.

Nominations:

• classical choreography
• dance show
• children’s dance (under 12)
• sports choreography
• contemporary choreography (jazz, modern, neoclassical, contemporary, neofolk, afro)
• pop choreography
• folk choreography
• stylized folk dance
• street dance (hip-hop, house, techno, disco, break dance, k-pop)

Evaluation criteria:

• plasticity
• movement synchronization
• artistry
• repertoire compliance with performer’s age and capabilities

5. Circus Art Competition

Participants: children’s and youth circus studios and institutions.

Nominations:

• acrobatics
• clownery
• gymnastics
• contortion
• equilibristics
• juggling
• object show
• illusion

Evaluation criteria:

• performance level
• artistry
• stage presence (plasticity, costume, execution culture)
• creative approach to repertoire selection, artistic program design (props)

6. Theater Competition

Nominations:

• musical theatre (musical, ballet, opera)
• drama theatre
• puppet theatre
• mime and plastic theatre
• street theatre
• parody theatre

Evaluation criteria:

• performance level
• artistry
• stage presence
• creative approach to repertoire
• artistic program design (props)

7. Fashion Theater Competition

Participants present original collections on any topic.
One or more collections may be submitted.

Evaluation criteria:

• idea
• composition integrity
• originality of direction
• figurative presentation of the collection’s theme
• entertainment value
• performance artistry
• plasticity
• choreography
• musical arrangement

8. Non-competitive Program

Participants: no age limit.
Nominations: any of the listed nominations.
When applying, indicate “non-competitive program” in the nomination field.

GENERAL PROGRAM

January 9 (Friday)
14:00 – Arrival of participants
18:00 – Dinner (optional)
19:00 – Welcome evening

January 10 (Saturday)
9:00 – Breakfast
10:00–21:00 – Competitions by nominations, awards ceremony

Lunch and dinner are optional

January 11 (Sunday)

9:00 – Breakfast
11:00–13:00 — Sightseeing bus and walking tour (Riga), walk through the Old Town (optional)

13:00 — Lunch (optional)

14:00 — Departure

The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program 7 days before the event starts.

JURY

The jury is formed separately for each nomination from specialists.

The jury for music competitions includes producers, teachers from specialized educational institutions, leaders of creative groups and organizations, cultural and art figures from different countries.

The jury for fine arts competitions includes professional artists and teachers from specialized educational institutions, heads of art studios.

The jury for theater and fashion theater competitions includes teachers from theater studios, modeling agencies, and actors.

Performances are evaluated on a 10-point scale.

A jury member does not evaluate a participant if they are the leader or teacher of that participant.

The decision of the jury is final and not subject to change.

AWARDS

Awards are given by genre and nomination within the appropriate age categories.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd places are awarded in each nomination and age group. Duplication of prize places is allowed (two 1st places, two 2nd, etc.).

Grand Prix – 10 points.

The Grand Prix is awarded to a participant or group regardless of nomination and age group, at the discretion of the jury. The Grand Prix may not be awarded if participants do not score the highest number of points.

• 1st place – 9 points
• 2nd place – 8 points
• 3rd place – 7 points
• 4th place – 6 points
• 5th place – 5 points
• 6th place – 4 points

Participants who are awarded 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place receive a trophy indicating their place.

Duets, trios, quartets, and groups of 5 or more participants receive one shared trophy per group.

If desired, additional trophies for each member of the group may be ordered upon prior request.

The cost of each additional trophy is €20.

If a participant is not present at the awards ceremony, the trophy can be sent by post upon written request.

The shipping fee is €10, and the request must be submitted no later than 3 days after the end of the competition.

Special awards:

Certificates of €50 and €100 from the organizing committee, as well as gifts from sponsors.

All participants receive commemorative medals and participation diplomas.

The best participants are awarded special prizes and commemorative gifts from the sponsors and organizers of the festival.

COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

To participate in the competition, it is necessary to submit:

• An application to participate by email to the organizing committee
• Musical accompaniment (for vocalists: “-1” backing track)
• Creative biography
• 1 photo (in JPG format, 300 DPI)
• Link to a video of the participant’s performance uploaded online
• Payment of the registration fee

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Technical requirements (microphones, stands, props) must be agreed with the organizers when submitting the application.

Up to 30% of performers may be from a younger or older age category within one act.

Submitting an application means agreement with these rules and confirmation of the accuracy of the provided information.

COPYRIGHT

By applying and participating in the competition, contestants agree to photo and video shooting, as well as audio recording of their performances on stage and other events of the competition, and transfer the arising copyrights to the competition organizer.

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

Expenses related to travel, accommodation, and medical insurance are borne by participants or the referring party.

For foreign participants, the organizing committee helps with visa support to Latvia.

If the participant voluntarily refuses to perform, no refunds are issued.

If payment is made after December 10, 2025, the registration fee increases by €10.

Applications are accepted until January 01, 2026.

REGISTRATION FEES FOR PARTICIPATION (per act per person):

Registration fee	If pay before 10.12		If pay after 10.12
	For 1 act	For 2nd act	For 1 act	For 2nd act
Soloist	€69	€60	€79	€65
Duet	€40	€30	€50	€40
Trio	€30	€25	€40	€35
Group (4+ people)	€25	€20	€35	€30
Group (10+ people)	€20	€15	€25	€20

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

Accommodation and meal services are provided to participants if needed, upon request to the Organizing Committee.

The leader of a group of 20 or more people is provided with 1 free bed in a double room.

ORGANIZERS

Impresa Production Center

in cooperation with the International Creative Association Intermedia and the International Cultural Charity Foundation Dzintara zvaigzne

Main projects since 1996:

“Morning Star – Jurmala” festival, reality show “Hello, Jurmala”, international festivals: Art-Turnir, Debut Premium, Baltic Lyre, Christmas Surprise, Amberstar, Talent Show, Baltic Voyage.

Since 2002: cooperation with production centers and festivals: “Eastern Bazaar” (Ukraine), Canzoni dal Mondo (Italy), and others.

📞 Phone: +371 27009998 (WhatsApp)
📧 Email: info@impresa.pro
🌐 Website: www.impresa.pro