FRESH is our annual festival of youth dance in Yorkshire. Youth dance groups from across Yorkshire come together for the day to take part in dance workshops before performing live on a professional stage.  FRESH 2026 will take place on Saturday, 18 April 2026 in  Leeds including a performance at Leeds Playhouse.

FRESH is the regional platform for One Dance UK’s U.Dance National Festival. One dance group will be selected at FRESH to perform at The U.Dance National Festival 2026 in Summer 2026.

Applications for FRESH 2026 are NOW OPEN!

Download FRESH Application Form

Read our FAQs

Who can apply for FRESH 2026?

FRESH 2026 is open to everyone! This includes schools, community-based youth dance groups, individuals and youth companies aged 11-19 (or aged 11-25 for dancers with additional needs or a disability) based in Yorkshire. 

FRESH is open to all dance styles from street dance to Kathak to commercial. We welcome applications from soloists, duets, trios and groups of up to 20 dancers.

We encourage applications from young choreographers, work-in-progress pieces, newly established groups and groups who have not taken part in FRESH previously.  

We warmly welcome applications from youth dance groups working with young disabled dancers (up to the age of 25). FRESH and U.Dance aim to be inclusive and accessible. Please talk to us if you have any questions or concerns about access for your group. 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for dance pieces and screendances made by and with young people showcasing:

• excellence in performance
• original, excellent and engaging choreography
• dancers taking clear ownership of the choreography, which is appropriate for their age and experience

See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

I’ve never applied before and I’d like some advice

If you’re new to FRESH and would like to apply join us for a briefing session on 27 Oct at 12.00noon. This briefing will be led by Ione Barton, Youth & Community Producer. Ione convenes the selection panel for FRESH and produces the event. There will be chance to hear more about the criteria and ask questions.

Book onto Briefing Session | 27 Oct 2025

How to apply

Either complete the Word Application Form or complete the online form below (note you cannot save your answers) by 12.00 noon on Monday 15 December 2025. You MUST include either your chaperone licence or your application for a chaperone licence. Then:

1. Send film footage of your piece to Yorkshire Dance by 5.00pm on Friday 30 January 2026 or
2. Perform at the youth dance showcase in Hull, Scunthorpe or Barnsley or at the Everybody Dance Festival in York. (We will send you information about these showcases in response to your application. If your group is not selected to perform at a local showcase due to capacity we ask that you send film footage of your piece).

Please send your completed application form and film footage (if applicable) to HarrietRiley@yorkshiredance.com

We will inform all groups of the outcome of their application by 13 February 2026.

Get in touch to discuss your application or if you need additional support to complete the paperwork. Please email HarrietRiley@yorkshiredance.com or call us on 0113 243 8765.