Get ready to be dazzled as the Lensic Performing Arts Center unveils its thrilling lineup for the 2026 season!
This beloved venue, a staple of Santa Fe’s arts scene, promises a fantastic selection of performances that will captivate audiences all year long. From live music and dance to theater, family shows, and comedy acts, this season features an impressive roster of talent.
Highlights include performances by the legendary Assad Brothers, the iconic Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the acclaimed Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer. Check out the schedule below to discover who will be taking the stage!
About the Lensic Performing Arts Center
The Lensic Performing Arts Center, located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a historic venue that serves as a cultural landmark for the community.
Built in 1931 as a vaudeville stage and movie palace, the Lensic underwent significant renovations and reopened in 2001 as a nonprofit, community-supported organization dedicated to high-quality arts experiences for all.
Home to nearly 200 events each year, the Lensic provides a stage for Santa Fe’s performance groups while also welcoming touring artists from around the country and beyond. The venue’s programming includes its original Lensic Presents series, showcasing world-class artists across various genres.
Additionally, the Lensic is committed to arts education, reaching over 15,000 students annually through its life-enriching programs.
The 2025 Season Closes with Flair
Lucius
Wednesday, November 12, 7:30 p.m.
Indie band Lucius, created by lead vocalists and songwriters Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, is celebrated for its rich harmonies and distinctive pop-noir musical style.
Stanley Clarke
Thursday, November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Four-time Grammy-winning bass legend Stanley Clarke brings his revolutionary sound to the stage. Known for his pioneering work in jazz fusion, particularly with the group Return to Forever, he is celebrated for his unique mastery of both the acoustic and electric bass.
Circles: Honoring Indigenous Santa Fe
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
This powerful collaboration, presented by Little Globe and the Santa Fe Indigenous Center, is a vibrant multi-arts performance dedicated to Indigenous culture, presence, and resilience in Santa Fe. The ensemble blends traditional and contemporary artistry through song, dance, and spoken word to honor the stories and traditions that have long shaped the region.
DakhaBrakha
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
DakhaBrakha,, the unique quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine, creates a sound they call “ethno chaos,” built upon Ukrainian polyphony. The quartet’s deeply layered music weaves together complex rhythms and melodies from diverse global cultures, including India, Arabia, Africa, and Australia, incorporating influences from jazz, punk, and rap for a truly distinctive performance.
The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah
Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the season with Grammy-winning klezmer innovators, The Klezmatics. Since 1986, this New York-based group has revolutionized Yiddish music, blending traditional Eastern European Jewish sounds with global influences, including Latin, jazz, Balkan, and Middle Eastern rhythms, to create ecstatic, socially conscious music that addresses contemporary themes like human rights.
Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas Caravan
Friday, December 19, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
The Squirrel Nut Zippers return with their festive Christmas Caravan tour, bringing a joyous and raucous performance. Inspired by 1920s jazz, klezmer, and old-time music, bandleader Jimbo Mathus delivers a unique atmosphere that blends heartwarming holiday ballads with boisterous dance tunes reminiscent of a backroom speakeasy.
Joe Illick & The New Year’s Eve Orchestra
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the return of conductor Joe Illick and his esteemed orchestra and choral singers. The annual concert will feature Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and a performance of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto with renowned soloist Augustin Hadelich.
Lensic Presents 2026 Performance Schedule
Drumroll, please! Here’s the unveiling of the 2026 lineup featuring an array of captivating performances, insightful lectures, comedic acts, and more that promise to evoke laughter, tears, and wonder this season at the Lensic.
Storm Large
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Musician, actor, and author Storm Large brings her electrifying presence to the stage. Known for her unique blend of rock, jazz, and cabaret, she gained national attention as a finalist on Rock Star: Supernova. With powerful vocals and subversive style, she delivers fierce and compelling interpretations of popular songs, along with original material.
The Ten Tenors
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The celebrated Australian vocal ensemble The Ten Tenors returns to the stage for an evening of powerful ten-part harmonies and captivating choreography. Known for their clever and irreverent style, they deliver show-stopping interpretations that span genres, ranging from operatic arias and soulful ballads to classic rock and pop hits.
The Okee Dokee Brothers
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 3 p.m.
Bring the whole family to see the Grammy-winning folk and roots music duo The Okee Dokee Brothers. Childhood friends Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander channel their love for the outdoors and adventure into wildly popular albums, inspiring countless families to get outside, be creative, and sing along to their harmonious, plaid-shirted fun.
Trekking Mexico
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 3 p.m.
This colorful and educational multimedia show takes the audience on a joyful, cultural journey through Mexico’s diverse historic and geographic regions. Featuring the multi-cultural ensemble Mexico Beyond Mariachi, the performance highlights folkloric music and dance, transporting viewers from the drumming of Tenochtitlan to the sweet sounds of Veracruz’s Jaranas.
The Assad Brothers
Friday, March 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
On their 60th Anniversary Farewell Tour, Brazilian-born brothers Sérgio and Odair Assad showcase the exceptional artistry that has set a new standard for guitar performance. Known for their uncanny ensemble-playing, their program is a compelling blend of folk, jazz, and Latin music, alongside masterful transcriptions of Baroque keyboard literature and adaptations of classical works.
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The American Ballet Theatre Studio Company carries on a rich tradition of artistic excellence, showcasing a repertoire that seamlessly blends timeless classics with groundbreaking contemporary works. The company’s vision is defined by collaborations with world-class dancers and renowned choreographers, integrating both traditional masterpieces and pioneering modern pieces.
The Bad Plus, Chris Potter, and Craig Taborn
Friday, March 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The contemporary jazz ensemble The Bad Plus teams up with acclaimed artists Chris Potter and Craig Taborn to revisit the formative repertoire of Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. This project goes beyond a tribute, capturing the original group’s raw, exploratory spirit with a fearless commitment to musical dialogue, emotional depth, and boundary-pushing improvisation.
Lúnasa
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the St. Patrick’s season with the return of Irish music superstars Lúnasa. Formed in 1997 by members of influential Irish groups, this ensemble is celebrated as an “Irish music dream team.” Known for their joyous Celtic tunes, they deliver complex arrangements and a unique sound that has reshaped the boundaries of traditional music.
Pink Martini
Monday, March 23, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The eclectic, Portland-based band Pink Martini brings its risk-taking, acoustic-oriented sound to the stage. Featuring a dozen musicians, the group performs songs in 25 languages, blending a sophisticated mix of jazz, world music, cabaret, and lounge, with influences ranging from Cole Porter and Duke Ellington to Latin greats like Tito Puente.
Doodle POP
Sunday, March 29, 2026, 3 p.m.
This charming and clever piece of theater follows a mischievous duo who creates an imaginative world entirely through doodling. Great for all ages, Doodle Pop features a playful sea adventure with a tiny turtle, brought to life using live sound effects, stunning interactive animation, and theatrical imagination.
Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Two of the world’s most acclaimed bassists, Christian McBride (nine-time Grammy winner) and Edgar Meyer (MacArthur Award recipient), team up for a dynamic duo performance. This extraordinary collaboration sees McBride’s background in jazz and R&B fusion meld seamlessly with Meyer’s expertise in bluegrass and classical music, showcasing new compositions and timeless American standards in an unforgettable spotlight on the bass.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The globally acclaimed Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), led by Artistic Director Richard Tognetti, celebrates 50 years of invention and disruption with their explosive, high-octane performances. Known for redefining orchestral music, their program features a captivating blend of celebrated classics and new works, including pieces by Handel, Purcell, John Luther Adams, and Vaughan Williams.
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Returning by popular demand, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain brings four decades of musical virtuosity and off-beat humor to the stage. Formed in 1985 as an antidote to conventional music, this institution performs a white-knuckle dash through every musical genre, from ABBA to ZZ Top, Tchaikovsky to Nirvana, using only a menagerie of voices and astonishing orchestrations of the ukulele.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The globally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem captivates audiences with a thrilling and dynamic repertoire. Embodying founder Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet is for everyone, the company performs a powerful blend of treasured classics, neoclassical masterpieces (including works by George Balanchine), and cutting-edge contemporary pieces, championing the power of the arts to inspire and empower.
Lensic Ticket Information
Ready to snag tickets for an exciting season at the Lensic? Swing by the box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or drop in on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. For evening shows, the box office remains open until showtime. On Sundays, it is open from noon right up until the show begins.
Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 505-988-1234, or in person at the Community Box Office at 211 W. San Francisco St., Santa Fe. Be sure to get your tickets soon — many of these incredible performances are sure to sell out fast!
Lensic Performing Arts Center: General FAQs
Where is the Lensic Performing Arts Center located?
The Lensic Performing Arts Center is located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico near the Santa Fe Plaza, at 211 W. San Francisco St.
What is the history of the Lensic Performing Arts Center?
The venue was originally built in 1931 as a vaudeville stage and movie palace. It underwent significant renovations and reopened in 2001 as a nonprofit, community-supported organization.
Is the Lensic a nonprofit organization?
Yes. The Lensic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-supported organization, dedicated to high-quality arts experiences for all.
What kind of performances does the Lensic host?
The Lensic hosts a fantastic selection of performances, including live music, dance, theater, family shows, and comedy acts. The venue presents nearly 200 events each year, featuring touring artists and local Santa Fe performance groups.
What is the “Lensic Presents” series?
The Lensic Presents series showcases world-class touring artists across a wide variety of genres.
Watch Lensic Live Performances in Santa Fe Today
The Lensic is an integral part of the Santa Fe arts scene, offering a lineup that celebrates creativity and community. Come see a show today!
This article was posted by Jess
