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Program

Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest

A festival that brings young dancers together for three days of master classes and a chance to perform. It runs in Philadelphia and in the Lehigh Valley.

  • Paid
  • Kids OK

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What they do

Dance companies apply through an online form and pay a $50 company fee, then submit up to two pieces for review. Each company performs one piece of up to 4.5 minutes, and each dancer takes four to six master classes. Scholarship audition classes are held at each festival.

Who it is for

Who can join
Open to anyone
Who is there
Teens, Kids

When and where

Two festivals each spring: a Philadelphia weekend at Drexel University and a Lehigh Valley weekend at Muhlenberg College. Each has an optional Friday class, Saturday master classes from 9 am to 6 pm, and Sunday classes and performances.

Days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Times
Daytime, Evening
Season
Spring

Drexel University (Philadelphia festival)

Muhlenberg College (Lehigh Valley festival)

Meets outside the city and serves Philadelphia.

Your first visit

Feeling unsure the first time is normal. Most groups are glad when someone new walks in.

First step: Ask your dance company's director to submit the online company application and the $50 fee by November 1, 2026. Dancers then join through their company..

Check with the group before you show up. You need to sign up first.

What to expect

A festival weekend is mostly master classes taught by guest teachers, with Saturday classes running from 9 am to 6 pm. Each company gets a short tech rehearsal on stage with the lighting designer before its one piece. The dancer fee covers the classes, the performance, a custom T-shirt, and photos and video of the show.

Tips for your first visit

  • Companies submit up to two pieces for review in January, and each performing company is guaranteed one piece once the festival selects it.
  • Credit card payments carry a 3 percent processing fee; checks are the other option.
  • Dancer registration forms and the participation fee are due by February 12, 2027.
  • Email philayouthdancefest@gmail.com to ask about the waitlist for dancers who are not performing.

Newcomer welcome

Takes some effort for newcomers (2 out of 5). Why we say this: Dancers perform only through a company that applies and pays fees, and the FAQ says non-performing dancers are wait listed at the Philadelphia festival, so there is no open walk-in path..

Cost and commitment

Cost
Paid. Fees are set per festival: a $50 company application fee, $115 per performing dancer, $65 for a class-only dancer at the Lehigh Valley festival, or $200 for a dancer who attends both festivals.
How often
One time event

Access and languages

Wheelchair access
We do not know yet. Ask the group before you go.
Languages spoken
We do not know yet which languages are spoken.

Requirements

  • Children can take part with a parent.

How to reach them

We copy contact details as the group or a public source published them. Each one shows where it came from.

Sources and last check

Checked by our research team on October 8, 2026. This was a closer look, including what a first visit is like.

Last seen active
February 2026 (See the evidence)
Last checked by our team
October 8, 2026
Status
Active
Our confidence in this listing
High

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