Hafla in arabic means a party or get together. Outside of Arab speaking countries, many bellydance teachers will sponsor a Hafla for their students and the dance community. They can be small gatherings or more elaborate events with recorded or live music. Dancers of all levels perform solo and group performances, as well as vendors selling their wares.
The MBD Academy Proudly Presents the 7th Annual Holiday Hafla!
The Academy is delighted to announce this year’s 7th Annual Holiday Hafla, a festive celebration of dance, community, and culture. What began in 2017 as a small gathering of students and local instructors has blossomed into one of Florida’s most anticipated haflas, drawing dancers and audiences from across the state.
From the very beginning, our mission has been to create a space where dancers of all levels—beginners, seasoned students, and professional instructors alike—could come together to share the joy of movement. By offering a large stage to showcase talent, the word quickly spread, and the Holiday Hafla has grown into a cherished tradition that unites the dance community each year.
Today, the event is a vibrant cultural celebration where performers not only share their artistry but also build lasting friendships, network with fellow dancers, and inspire one another. One of the most magical parts of the Holiday Hafla is its atmosphere: dancing under a canopy of cascading Christmas lights, beside a glittering 40-foot tree, surrounded by the support of friends, family, and community members. It’s a night filled with joy, artistry, and holiday spirit.
We are deeply grateful to the City of West Melbourne and the West Melbourne Recreation Department, whose sponsorship makes this event possible year after year. Their ongoing support has allowed the Holiday Hafla to return once again to the beautiful West Melbourne Community Park Amphitheater—a venue that perfectly captures the festive, welcoming spirit of the season.
As we prepare for this year’s event, we celebrate not only how far we’ve come but also the exciting new memories yet to be made. Every year brings new faces, new performances, and new connections, and we cannot wait to share this magical evening with you.
✨ Important Details ✨
Free Admission! The Holiday Hafla is completely free for both dancers and audience members.
No Tickets Required. Just come and enjoy!
Bring a Lawn Chair. Seating is open on the lawn of the amphitheater, so bring your own chair or blanket for comfort.
Bake Sale Fundraiser. Don’t forget to bring a little cash to enjoy delicious homemade treats—proceeds support our dance community.
Join us for an unforgettable night of dance, music, lights, and holiday cheer as we celebrate the art of belly dance and the joy of community at the 7th Annual Holiday Hafla!
✨ Interested in Performing? ✨
Thank you for your interest in performing at this year’s Holiday Hafla! To sign up, visit this google drive link and fill out a performance information form. This is a very popular event so dont delay in signing up. A waitlist will be created once we hit our capacity.
2025 Performer Updates:
This is one of our most popular shows, and to ensure that as many dancers as possible have the opportunity to participate, we ask that everyone picks a song within the allotted times defined below.
Registration Form & Photo – Fill out the registration form below and email a high-resolution photo to info@melbournebellydancingspacecoast.com.
Performer Flier – The MBDSC Team will create a performer flier and send it back to you as a profile picture. To help spread the word and build excitement, please share this flier on Facebook by making it your profile photo.
Music Submission – Email your mp3 file to info@melbournebellydancingspacecoast.com no later than November 15, 2025.
Performance Time Limits
Solos/Duets: 2–4 minutes
Troupes: 3–6 minutes
Please respect these time limits so we can ensure everyone gets their moment to shine.
The final lineup will be posted by November 28, 2025.
Thank you for celebrating the holiday season with us—it will be a night filled with shimmies, sparkle, laughter, and community joy.
If you have any questions, feel free to email or call us anytime.
With holiday cheer and shimmies in light,
The Melbourne Belly Dancing Space Coast Team
The Stage:
The stage measures 80 ft long by 40 ft wide. We have placed four 8×10 ft rugs for you to dance on. The stage surface is concrete with a light texture, so barefoot dancers will need to stay on the rugs.
The backdrop features a black velvet curtain, usually flanked by fairy lights but this year we are revamping the backdrop. It will most likely incorporate red and black velvet material.
Colored stage lights line the edges, and a 40-ft Christmas tree stands beside the stage for a spectacular effect!
We are adding two additional large color spotlights to illuminate the entire stage, along with more white fairy lights along the back edge and steps—doubling the lights shown in the photo.
Dressing Room:
Please arrive dressed or partially dressed if possible. A small tent will be available for changing, along with a nearby bathroom. Behind the stage, there’s a private area where dancers can store personal items, quickly throw on a belt, or grab a small prop. We’ll also have one or two trifold screens set up for single-person changes. The back-stage area spans 10 ft x 80 ft. Note: There is no formal dressing room.
Seating:
A few chairs will be available, but we recommend bringing your own chair or blanket, especially for little ones. The amphitheater field is large and well-lit, giving kids plenty of space to run around.
Cash:
Please bring cash if you plan to purchase from food vendors, henna artists, or the Christmas cookie/sweets table.
