VALENCIA, Calif., APR. 24, 2026 — From May 1 through 3, 2026, creative chaos consumes the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) campus for MAYhem, an immersive festival of visual and performing arts.
Over one whirlwind weekend, the public is invited to experience the electric energy of CalArts and meet the next generation of artists and performers defining the cultural landscape of the future. From bold live performances to vibrant studio showcases, this dynamic campus-wide celebration welcomes the community to experience the creative pulse of CalArts like never before—all for FREE!

MAYhem happenings include:

• 46th Annual World Music Festival
  Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 1-3
  Travel the globe through sound with an electrifying lineup of musicians bringing international rhythm, culture, and groove to the stage! The festival’s 2026 edition features music from Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, the Indigenous peoples of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and cross-cultural fusions from around the world. Performances will include student groups—African Music and Dance Ensemble, CalArts World Percussion Ensemble, Grupo Pagode CalArts, Balinese Gamelan, Indian Music Student Ensemble, and Persia Electric Ensemble—alongside professional musicians Burat Wangi, Coyote Makes a World, LA’s 33 Strings, and Plenazo Tribe (who performed with Bad Bunny at this year’s Super Bowl). 
  Friday and Saturday events will be held across various campus venues, while Sunday’s concert will take place off-campus at the Newhall Family Theatre in Newhall, California.
  Admission is FREE, though tickets are required for some performances. See the full schedule at RSVP on the CalArts website.

• 2026 CalArts MFA Open Studios
  Saturday, May 2, 2 to 6 p.m. 
  Meet the artistic vanguard at CalArts’ annual MFA Open Studios. Performances, conversations, and screenings will be organized throughout the day, as School of Art students open their studios for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their work and creative process. Free and open to the public, registrations requested here.

• Artisan Pop Up Market & Photo Booth
  Saturday, May 2, 2 to 6 p.m.
  Browse and shop unique, handmade creations from CalArts’ own students and alumni artists alongside local Santa Clarita Valley makers. Offerings will include original artwork, jewelry, prints, and more. Don’t forget to capture the magic of MAYhem at the event photo booth! Free and open to the public.

• From CalArts to The Lion King and Beyond: A Conversation with Rob Minkoff
  Saturday, May 2, 4 to 5 p.m.
  Join us for a conversation with director and CalArts alumnus Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little, The Haunted Mansion, The Forbidden Kingdom, Mr. Peabody & Sherman) as he reflects on his time at CalArts, his journey in animation and film, and the experiences that shaped his career. From co-directing The Lion King to his current projects, Minkoff will share insights into his creative process and how he has used—and continues to use—new technologies in his work. Admission is FREE and reservations can be made here.

And much much more! See the full line-up on the MAYhem website.
With the exception of Sunday’s concert at Newhall Family Theater, all MAYhem events will take place on the CalArts campus at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355. 

About California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts has set the pace for educating professional artists since 1970. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts champions creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions. As successive generations of faculty and alumni have helped shape the landscape of contemporary arts, the Institute first envisioned by Walt Disney encompasses a vibrant, eclectic community with global reach, inviting experimentation, independent inquiry, and active collaboration and exchange among artists, artistic disciplines, and cultural traditions.