46th Annual CalArts World Music and Dance Festival

Event Information

Date: May 1 - 3

Location: 

May 1 - 2: CalArts, 24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91605 

May 3: Newhall Family Theater, 24607 Walnut St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

• Registration/Seating

About World Music Festival

Travel the globe through sound with an electrifying lineup of musicians bringing international rhythm, culture, and groove to the stage! FREE admission, though tickets required for some performances. 

Click here for on-campus dining and coffee shop information.

Friday, May 1, 2026
7-7:45 pm	Preshow Performance	Roy O. Disney Theater (ROD) Foyer	Standing room only
8-10 pm	World Percussion & Persia Ensemble	Roy O. Disney Theater (ROD)	Limited seating, advance registration recommended

Saturday, May 2, 2026
1-5 pm	Salsa Band, Swara, Cuban Ensemble, Batucada	Wild Beast	Unlimited outdoor grass and ampitheater setting. Hats and sunscreen recommended.
5-5:45 pm	Performance and Workshop Quentin Jones (Djembe)	Main Gallery or Lund Foyer	Standing room only
6-7 pm	African Ensemble	Sharon Disney Lund Theater (Lund)	Limited seating, advance registration recommended
7:15-7:45 pm	Preshow Performance	Roy O. Disney Theater (ROD) Foyer	Standing Room Only
8-10 pm	Coyote Makes a World	Roy O. Disney Theater (ROD)	Limited seating, advance registration recommended

Sunday, May 3, 2026
8-10 pm	Balinese Gamelan *In partnership with Raising the Curtain Foundation	Newhall Family Theater	Off campus performance,  advance registration  recommended

Concert Venues

• Wild Beast

  This is an outdoor theater with a grassy lawn. Blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics are permitted. The seating in this venue gets sunny.

  

• Sharon Disney Lund Theater

  This is an indoor theater with stairs and limited ADA seating. The seating in the Lund Theater has first-come-first-served seating for ticket holders. No food or drinks other than bottled water is permitted.

  

• Roy O. Disney Concert Hall

  The ROD Theater is an indoor venue with first-come-first-served seating for ticket holders. No food or drinks other than bottled water is permitted.

  

• Newhall Family Theater

  The Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts is a 500-seat theater, operated to introduce the youth and surrounding community to theatre experiences that educate, nurture, and inspire.

  

CalArts MAYhem!

The World Music and Dance Festival takes place as part of CalArts MAYhem on May 1-3! Over one whirlwind weekend, enjoy a program encompassing, the Artisan Pop-Up Market, School of Theater productions, and much more.

Visit the MAYhem website for the full list of events.