The 2026 Music & Dance Festival (MDF) will take place February 13 through February 16, 2026, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, bringing together youth and young adults from across the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey for a weekend centered on music, dance, worship, and fellowship.
MDF is a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey, held under the leadership of Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey. Now in its second year, the festival continues to grow as a regional gathering for parish dance troupes, liturgical choirs, families, and community members.
A weekend of music, dance, and worship
The festival begins on Friday, February 13, with arrivals, registration, and opening ceremonies, followed by a Friday night meet-and-greet. Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, participating groups will take part in dance competitions, liturgical choir presentations, rehearsals, and shared meals.
Highlights of the weekend include:
- Dance and choir competitions on Saturday and Sunday
- Saturday night dinner and glendi, bringing participants together in a celebratory setting
- A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning
- A Sunday night awards banquet and celebration, recognizing group performances and participation
The festival concludes on Monday, February 16, with departures.
Participation and judging
Dance troupes and liturgical choirs will perform traditional Greek dances and Orthodox hymns, with groups placed in categories based on age and experience. Performances are evaluated according to established festival guidelines, with awards presented for dance, choral performance, costumes, and folk expression. Choir groups participate within defined age levels and receive performance critiques alongside placement awards.
Location and registration
MDF 2026 will be held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, located at 201 N 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Registration is available through full participant packages as well as individual ticket options for meals and events, including the glendi and awards banquet. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
For full event details, including the complete schedule, registration options, pricing, participation guidelines, and judging criteria, visitors are encouraged to consult the official festival page:
https://web.cvent.com/event/ce5c7597-769d-490f-bb2b-dc276a2b35f6/summary
Questions may be directed to the MDF Committee at yourmdf@gmail.com.
Featured image: A Greek dance group performs during a Music & Dance Festival event. (Courtesy of MDF)
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