General Timeline
This information is subject to change; we will highlight any changed dates and deadlines so refer to our website for the most up to date schedule. For a more concise list of key deadlines, navigate to our role-specific timelines through the links below.
Deadlines for Chorus Leadership >
Deadlines for Individual Delegates >
Date
Step(s)
Sept. 2026
Festival Informational Webinar Series starts (see preliminary schedule of topics here)
Oct. 1, 2026
Registration rates for Festival 2028 finalized
Additional information about deadlines and requirements shared
Additional information about deadlines and requirements shared
Jan. 1, 2027
Coffee Concert applications OPEN
Before Mar. 2027
*Suggested* Designate your chorus's GALA Liaison(s) who will be GALA’s primary contact for all Festival information & beyond
Mar. 1, 2027
Coffee Concert applications CLOSE
Before Apr. 1, 2027
*Suggested* Calculate your Chorus costs for the Festival and raise funds
May 1, 2027
Chorus & Ensemble Registration OPENS
Song List and Copyright Confirmation OPEN
Production Diagrams available
Coffee Concert decisions shared
Song List and Copyright Confirmation OPEN
Production Diagrams available
Coffee Concert decisions shared
July 1, 2027
Chorus & Ensemble Priority Registration CLOSES (1st ## groups to register have guaranteed spots; exact ## tbd)
Delegate Registration OPENS
Delegate Registration OPENS
Sept. 1, 2027
Requests for Minneapolis instrumentalists OPEN
Oct. 1, 2027
Chorus Performance Schedule announced (with approximate rehearsal times)
Festival Chorus Signups OPEN
Blockbuster Concert signups OPEN
Workshop RFPs OPEN
Festival Chorus Signups OPEN
Blockbuster Concert signups OPEN
Workshop RFPs OPEN
Oct. 31, 2027
Early Delegate Registration CLOSES
Last day to purchase early registration credits (non-refundable; can transfer independently)
Last day to purchase early registration credits (non-refundable; can transfer independently)
Nov. 1, 2027
Housing Questionnaire for liaisons / group block requests OPENS
Dec. 1, 2027
Housing Questionnaire for liaisons / group block requests CLOSES
Blockbuster Concert signups CLOSE
Instrumentalist requests DUE (requests after this date will be filled according to musician availability)
Requests for optional rehearsal space DUE (request early for a better chance of getting your first choice rehearsal time)
Deadline for GUARANTEED Festival Chorus signups (choruses with extra room will accept later sign-ups)
Workshop RFPs CLOSE
Optional chorus banner purchase DUE
Blockbuster Concert signups CLOSE
Instrumentalist requests DUE (requests after this date will be filled according to musician availability)
Requests for optional rehearsal space DUE (request early for a better chance of getting your first choice rehearsal time)
Deadline for GUARANTEED Festival Chorus signups (choruses with extra room will accept later sign-ups)
Workshop RFPs CLOSE
Optional chorus banner purchase DUE
Jan. 2, 2028
Custom Booking Link for Large Room Blocks OPENS
Jan. 15, 2028
Custom Booking Link for Large Room Blocks CLOSES
General Housing Reservations OPEN
Blockbuster Concert decisions announced
Assignments are confirmed for instrumentalists AND communicated
General Housing Reservations OPEN
Blockbuster Concert decisions announced
Assignments are confirmed for instrumentalists AND communicated
Feb. 15, 2028
Payment for instrumentalists DUE
Blockbuster Concert song list and copyright confirmation DUE
Blockbuster Concert song list and copyright confirmation DUE
Mar. 31, 2028
Hotel Cancellations DUE
Apr. 1, 2028
Song list and copyright confirmation DUE
ASL Interpreter list available
PDF scores to Instrumentalists DUE
ASL Interpreter list available
PDF scores to Instrumentalists DUE
May 1, 2028
1-minute chorus video introduction DUE (default template will be used for anyone who doesn't submit)
June 1, 2028
General Housing Reservations CLOSE
July 12, 2028
Festival performances begin
Arrive early for rehearsals and opening ceremonies/concert throughout the day
Arrive early for rehearsals and opening ceremonies/concert throughout the day
July 16, 2028
Festival 2028 Minneapolis closes
Deadlines for Chorus Leadership
Date
Step(s)
Jan. 1, 2027
Coffee Concert applications OPEN
Before Mar. 2027
*Suggested* Designate your chorus's GALA Liaison(s) who will be GALA’s primary contact for all Festival information & beyond
Mar. 1, 2027
Coffee Concert applications CLOSE
Before Apr. 1, 2027
*Suggested* Calculate your Chorus costs for the Festival and raise funds
May 1, 2027
Chorus & Ensemble Registration OPENS
Song List and Copyright Confirmation OPEN
Production Diagrams available
Coffee Concert decisions shared
Song List and Copyright Confirmation OPEN
Production Diagrams available
Coffee Concert decisions shared
July 1, 2027
Chorus & Ensemble Priority Registration CLOSES (1st ## groups to register have guaranteed spots; exact ## tbd)
Sept. 1, 2027
Requests for Minneapolis instrumentalists OPEN
Oct. 1, 2027
Blockbuster Concert signups OPEN
Workshop RFPs OPEN
Workshop RFPs OPEN
Oct. 31, 2027
Last day to purchase early registration credits (non-refundable; can transfer independently)
Nov. 1, 2027
Housing Questionnaire for liaisons / group block requests OPENS
Dec. 1, 2027
Housing Questionnaire for liaisons / group block requests CLOSES
Blockbuster Concert signups CLOSE
Instrumentalist requests DUE (requests after this date will be filled according to musician availability)
Requests for optional rehearsal space DUE (request early for a better chance of getting your first choice rehearsal time)
Workshop RFPs CLOSE
Optional chorus banner purchase DUE
Blockbuster Concert signups CLOSE
Instrumentalist requests DUE (requests after this date will be filled according to musician availability)
Requests for optional rehearsal space DUE (request early for a better chance of getting your first choice rehearsal time)
Workshop RFPs CLOSE
Optional chorus banner purchase DUE
Jan. 2, 2028
Custom Booking Link for Large Room Blocks OPENS
Jan. 15, 2028
Custom Booking Link for Large Room Blocks CLOSES
General Housing Reservations OPEN
Blockbuster Concert decisions announced
Assignments are confirmed for instrumentalists AND communicated
General Housing Reservations OPEN
Blockbuster Concert decisions announced
Assignments are confirmed for instrumentalists AND communicated
Feb. 15, 2028
Payment for instrumentalists DUE
Blockbuster Concert song list and copyright confirmation DUE
Blockbuster Concert song list and copyright confirmation DUE
Mar. 31, 2028
Hotel Cancellations DUE
Apr. 1, 2028
Song list and copyright confirmation DUE
ASL Interpreter list available
PDF scores to Instrumentalists DUE
ASL Interpreter list available
PDF scores to Instrumentalists DUE
May 1, 2028
1-minute chorus video introduction DUE (default template will be used for anyone who doesn't submit)
June 1, 2028
General Housing Reservations CLOSE
July 12, 2028
Festival performances begin
Arrive early for rehearsals and opening ceremonies/concert throughout the day
Arrive early for rehearsals and opening ceremonies/concert throughout the day
July 16, 2028
Festival 2028 Minneapolis closes
Deadlines for Individual Delegates
Date
Step(s)
July 1, 2027
Delegate Registration OPENS
Oct. 1, 2027
Festival Chorus Signups OPEN
Workshop RFPs OPEN
Workshop RFPs OPEN
Oct. 31, 2027
Early Delegate Registration CLOSES
Last day to purchase early registration credits (non-refundable; can transfer independently)
Last day to purchase early registration credits (non-refundable; can transfer independently)
Dec. 1, 2027
Deadline for GUARANTEED Festival Chorus signups (choruses with extra room will accept later sign-ups)
Workshop RFPs CLOSE
Workshop RFPs CLOSE
Jan. 2, 2028
Custom Booking Link for Large Room Blocks OPENS
Jan. 15, 2028
Custom Booking Link for Large Room Blocks CLOSES
General Housing Reservations OPEN
General Housing Reservations OPEN
Mar. 31, 2028
Hotel Cancellations DUE
June 1, 2028
General Housing Reservations CLOSE
July 12, 2028
Festival performances begin
Arrive early for rehearsals and opening ceremonies/concert throughout the day
Arrive early for rehearsals and opening ceremonies/concert throughout the day
July 16, 2028
Festival 2028 Minneapolis closes
Festival Informational Webinar Series
Date
Topic
Sept. 2026
Kick-off to Festival!
Dates, locations, standard questions, estimated costs, introduction of festival choruses, etc.
Dates, locations, standard questions, estimated costs, introduction of festival choruses, etc.
Oct. 2026
Immigration/Traveling
Oct. 2026
Festival Fundraising
Nov. 2026
Liaison Training
Jan. 2027
Artistic Directors' Essentials
Key dates, instrumentalists, licensing, Coffee and Blockbuster Concerts
Key dates, instrumentalists, licensing, Coffee and Blockbuster Concerts
Feb. 2027
Hotels & Housing
Mar. 2027
Intro to Festival
For people who have never attended GALA Festival and are hoping to get more information before deciding to register
For people who have never attended GALA Festival and are hoping to get more information before deciding to register
Apr. 2027
Minneapolis, Safety & Accessibility
