The National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDA or Association) successfully staged the National Limbo Competition 2026 on Saturday 24 January 2026, formally reinstating the national event after an 18-year hiatus. The competition formed part of the Association’s 45th anniversary year. It was held in collaboration with the National Carnival Commission (NCC), with endorsement from the Ministry of Culture and Community Development (MCCD). The competition was also supported by The Tobago House of Assembly (THA), specifically The Multicultural Unit in the Division of Education, Research and Technology, and by students of the Dance in School Programme (from the Multicultural Unit).
The event celebrated limbo as both a competitive performance discipline and a cultural practice rooted in ritual, innovation, and intergenerational legacy, with strong representation from Trinidad and Tobago, including Tobago.
The 2026 winners were:
- 1st – North West Laventille Cultural Movement – Julia Edwards Challenge Trophy and $50,000
North West has successfully retained the National Limbo Champion title which they won in 2008. - 2nd – Tobago Burn – $20,000
- & a trophy
- 3rd – Twin Inc – $10,000 & a trophy
Special Prize Winners:
- King of Limbo – Shaquille Mitchell – Vernon Hope Challenge Trophy & $5,000
- Queen of Limbo – Quisha Christopher Davis – Nydia “Fire Queen” Byron Challenge Trophy & $5,000
- Most Creative Presentation – Soul Oasis Cultural Ambassadors (S.O.C.A.) – $5,000 & a trophy
- Most Original Human Barre – North West Laventille Cultural Movement – $2,000 & a trophy
- Best Costume – North West Laventille Cultural Movement – $5,000 & a trophy
Compete for a total prize pool of
TTD$100,000
2026 Rules & Regulations
Submission Hub
Submissions beyond these methods will not be considered, without prior permission granted.
Submission window closes Thursday 15 January, 2026 at 6 pm.
Individual Performance
Click the button below to register as an Individual
Entry fee: Individuals: $100 TTD
Note: Individuals may participate either independently or as the authorised representative of a group under the individual entry category.
Late Registration (if approved): Additional $100 TTD (applies to group & individual registration)
Programme Schedule
Prizes
Winners – National Limbo Competition 2026
Special Awards
King of Limbo: Shaquille Mitchell
Vernon Hope Challenge Trophy and TT$5,000
The Vernon Hope Challenge Trophy honours Vernon Hope, a respected cultural practitioner and limbo advocate whose contribution to the development, mentoring, and sustained visibility of limbo at the community and national levels helped shape competitive standards within the art form. He used to dance with Julia Edwards and learned from her. Vernon Hope is still with us and we wanted to honour him while he is alive.
Queen of Limbo: Quisha Christopher Davis
Nydia “Fire Queen” Byron Challenge Trophy and TT$5,000
The trophy is named in honour of Nydia Byron, an internationally recognised limbo dancer trained under Julia Edwards. Byron was known for advancing fire-based limbo performance and for her international appearances, including with the Universoul Circus. Her work bridged technical excellence, cultural storytelling, and global representation of Trinidad and Tobago’s dance heritage.
Best Costume: North West Laventille Cultural Movement
TTD $5,000
Most Creative Presentation: Soul Oasis Cultural Ambassadors (S.O.C.A.)
TT$5,000
Most Original Human Barre: North West Laventille Cultural Movement
TT$2,000
FAQs
Registration
a) Audition submissions will be accepted online via the registration form on the NDA’s website. The deadline for registration and submissions is Thursday 15 January, 2026 at 6 pm.
b) Each bender is required to successfully complete a minimum of four (4) barre passes.
d) Each performance is limited to two (2) accompanying dancers for purposes of switching barres, assisting with props, etc.
See rules for more information.
The Limbo Competition
a) The final round shall be held in the Carnival Village, Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday 24 January, 2026 at 7 pm.
b) Performances will be three (3) minutes to five (5) minutes in length.
c) Each performer is required to complete a minimum of four (4) successful barre passes. The use of fire is optional; however, if fire is incorporated, at least one (1) of the required barre passes must include fire.
d) Each performance is limited to 2 accompanying dancers for purposes of switching barres, assisting with props, etc.
See rules for more information.
Registration
a) Registration will be accepted online via the registration form on the NDA’s website. The deadline for registration and submissions is Thursday 15 January, 2026 at 6 pm.
b) Each group’s benders are required to successfully complete a minimum of five (5) barre passes.
c) Each performance must include a minimum of 6 dancers but must not exceed 20 dancers.
d) Performance must showcase at least one (1) human barre.
See rules for more information.
The Limbo Competition
The NDA’s National Limbo Competition shall be held in the Carnival Village, Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday 24 January, 2026 at 7 pm.
a) Performances will be five (5) minutes to eight (8) minutes in length.
b) Each group’s benders are required to successfully complete a minimum of five (5) barre passes.The use of fire is optional; however, if fire is incorporated, at least one (1) of the required barre passes must include fire.
c) Each performance must include a minimum of 6 dancers but must not exceed 20 dancers.
d) Performance must showcase at least one (1) human barre.
See rules for more information.
Rules Of Participation
Individual Limbo – This category is a solo category open to both male and female benders.
Group Limbo – This category is open to groups with a minimum of 6 dancers but not exceeding 20 dancers.
Late registration
Late registrations will not be accepted unless approved by the NDA Executive Committee due to extraordinary circumstances.
Age restrictions
There is no age limit or restriction for participation in the NDA’s National Limbo Competition.
Refund Policy
All registration fees are non-refundable.
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