Frequently Asked Questions
We are officially less than one year from hosting all of you wonderful Latvians and friends of Latvians at the Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Grand Rapids in 2026.
Of course, we are starting to receive many questions about the program, tickets, and hotel rooms. This page will currently serve as the most up-to-date information for the festival. We will also send emails, and share posts on Instagram and Facebook, when, for example, the hotel room blocks go live. More information will be published as it is ready! Thank you for your patience.
We need your help!
Amongst our biggest announcements: we have released signups for all of our volunteer opportunities. We have many positions to fill, and your help makes the Festival possible! No large event is possible without volunteers. According to current estimates, we will need more than 200. Any time that you can lend is tremendously appreciated. All signups will be followed up with detailed instructions about the role.
Several volunteer shifts for the Kopkoris and Tautas deju lieluzvedums are exceptionally long (not all, but a few). Select shifts will be rewarded with complimentary tickets to the Kopkoris concert—this is spelled out in the updated SignUpGenius under the task description.
For events held at DeVos Hall and Van Andel Arena, backstage assistants are being sought, and these helpers will not have the opportunity to watch the performance/concert.
Pop-Up Stage “Mirklis” Application
Perform, surprise, inspire – our stage awaits you!
We’re looking for performers—dancers, singers, musicians, and poets— to create something real and unforgettable for our pop-up stage. Mirklis (A Moment in Time). Share your moment on our pop-up stage and let your performance shine!
No big lights, no long rehearsals. Just you, your art, and one perfect moment.
Your moment. Your stage. Mirklis.
Dates: July 2–4
Short performances (30 minutes)
For more information or questions, please contact Iveta at iveta@dziesmusvetki.us
Art Exhibit Application
Artists! The application for the XVI Latvian Song and Dance Celebration Art exhibition from July 1-5, 2026 in Grand Rapids, Michigan is open.
We invite artists to exhibit their recent work in various media - painting, graphics, photographic arts, textile arts, sculpture, and other contemporary art forms.
Exhibit details:
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Application deadline is May 1, 2026.
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Artists can submit 2 artworks created in the past three years.
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Artwork must be delivered on July 1, 2026 starting at 1:00pm at the main Song Festival hotel the Amway Plaza Grand Hotel.
The exhibit opening is July 2, 2026 at the Amway Plaza Grand Hotel starting at 12:30. Jury will present monetary awards to artists at the opening.
Questions about the exhibit, please contact: makslasizstade2026@gmail.com
Participation of Organizations
The XVI Latvian song and Dance Festival from July 1-5, 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI is approaching! We invite Latvian organizations to host gatherings for members and supporters, as well as offering information about your organizations to festival guests.
Please complete the survey so that we can reserve the appropriate space or room for your organization’s needs.
There is a $250 fee for an organization to rent a room or to set up an information stand during the Song Festival. Information table fee includes 6 or 8 foot table, tablecloth, table skirt and 2 chairs. Note: Fee is waived for Silver, Gold, Amber and Presenting sponsors.
Please submit by May 1, 2026.
Hotel Rooms
As we have filled our room black at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, we have been working hard behind the scenes to arrange more rooming options at several hotels in the immediate area at several price points.
They will be available starting on August 25th at 12 PM ET, 9 AM PT, 7 PM in Latvia, for two weeks.
To help us visualize the locations of our hotels and event venues, our friends at ExperienceGR have helped us put together this interactive map. Take a look!
All prices are festival rates, and they are available 7/1-7/6 unless noted otherwise:
JW Marriott - $229/night
Embassy Suites - $159/night. Breakfast is included.
AC Hotel, Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown - $139/night
Hyatt Place - $139/night. Rooms are available 7/2-7/6. Breakfast is included.
JW Marriott
AC Hotel
Dance
Registration for the Grand Folk Dance Concert and New Choreography Showcase is now closed.
The rehearsal for the New Choreography Showcase will be on Friday, July 3, 2026 before the show. The rehearsal for the Grand Folk Dance Concert will be on Sunday, July 5, 2026 in the morning.
Program
