Lensic Performing Arts 2026–27 Season Preview

Get ready to be dazzled as the Lensic Performing Arts Center unveils its thrilling lineup for the 2026–27 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.

Lensic Presents 2026–27 Performance Schedule

Here’s the 2026-2027 lineup featuring an array of captivating performances, insightful lectures, comedic acts, and more that will evoke laughter, tears, and wonder this season at the Lensic.

SILKROAD UP CLOSE: KINAN AZMEH, MAEVE GILCHRIST, & KAORU WATANABE

October 22, 7:30 p.m.
The Lensic hosts Silkroad Up Close, featuring a newly formed chamber trio from the world-renowned Silkroad musical collective. Originally founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and currently guided by Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the organization promotes radical cultural collaboration by bridging distinct global traditions. This intimate performance brings together three internationally acclaimed, genre-bending instrumentalists: Syrian clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh, Scottish harper Maeve Gilchrist, and American practitioner of the Japanese taiko drum and shinobue flute Kaoru Watanabe. The program highlights their individual improvisational styles and compositional voices, creating an organic cross-cultural dialogue through stylistic intersection and dramatic contrast.

THEE SINSEERS

October 24, 7:30 p.m.
East Los Angeles soul and R&B collective Thee Sinseers make their debut on the Lensic stage, joined by California indie-soul band The Charities. Fronted by singer-songwriter and producer Joey Quiñones, the group delivers a modern interpretation of the classic “lowrider soul” aesthetic, blending mid-century rhythm and blues with contemporary Chicano romance. The performance highlights material from their Colemine Records release, Love Stories, showcasing an expanded ensemble sound rich with earthy instrumentation, vintage horn arrangements, stand-up bass, and warm, sixties-adjacent guitar tones. The music explores the emotional complexities of romantic and familial relationships, delivering an evocative live performance.

National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope

October 25, 7 p.m.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center presents a National Theatre Live screening of Martin Crimp’s sharp, modern adaptation of Molière’s classic dark comedy The Misanthrope. Directed by Indhu Rubasingham and filmed live on stage in London, the production stars award-winning actor Sandra Oh as Alice, a brilliant novelist who refuses to conform to the superficialities and white lies of contemporary society. As her brutal honesty alienates colleagues, friends, and elite circles, she faces escalating consequences for speaking her mind in a culture that demands compromise. Captured in high-definition, the screening offers Santa Fe audiences a front-row view of this compelling exploration of truth, integrity, and social hypocrisy.

JULIAN LAGE QUARTET

October 26, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy-nominated virtuoso guitarist Julian Lage, recognized by The New Yorker as being in the “highest category of improvising musicians,” returns to the Lensic stage. The performance highlights his 2026 Blue Note release, Scenes from Above, introducing a powerhouse jazz quartet composed of long-term artistic collaborators who have rarely recorded together in this configuration. Lage is joined by legendary avant-jazz keyboardist John Medeski (of Medeski Martin & Wood), steadfast bassist Jorge Roeder, and dynamic downtown drummer Kenny Wollesen. Produced by Joe Henry, the new material relies on a conversational, real-time dynamic, blending meticulous technical jazz, classic soul-jazz textures, and fluid, open improvisation.

Next Generation Native Film Showcase

October 27, 7 p.m.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center presents the annual Next Generation Native Film Showcase, celebrating the creative visions of emerging and first-time Indigenous filmmakers from across New Mexico and beyond. Hosted in downtown Santa Fe, the juried event highlights a diverse program of short films, spanning narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental genres, followed by an insightful Q&A panel featuring the participating creators. Designed to amplify rising Indigenous storytellers, the showcase offers filmmakers a prominent platform to share their perspectives with a broader audience while fostering creative community connections. Admission is free and open to the public, with general admission tickets required for entry.

Ghost Light Groove

October 30, 8 p.m.–1 a.m.
Get ready for the return of Ghost Light Groove, Santa Fe’s late-night Halloween dance party at The Lensic. Hosted by beatboxer and MC Ashley “Saywut!?” Moyer, the 21-and-over event features dynamic dance sets from DJs BadCat, Luz Skylarker, and Galaxy alongside local fare from Henry & the Fish and full bar service. Attendees can step beyond the velvet ropes directly onto the theater’s stage to dance where the spirits linger and compete in an annual costume contest awarding cash prizes and gift certificates. Early bird admission includes a complimentary beverage, with premium ticket options providing private lounge access, light bites, and dedicated bar service.

THE SURGE: AN ODE TO SINÉAD O’CONNOR

November 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Lensic co-presents the regional premiere of The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor, a new contemporary dance work honoring the music and uncompromising legacy of the late Irish singer-songwriter. Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh, the production features an ensemble of ten veteran female dance artists whose careers span decades. Together, the cast embodies over five hundred years of collective movement experience, reframing aging as a position of artistic privilege and wisdom. Set to O’Connor’s raw, iconic catalog, the performance is a fierce and tender exploration of vocal protest, personal grief, and systemic resistance.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

November 7, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Award–winning Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela return to the Lensic Performing Arts Center on their OurHome world tour. Known for their electrifying fusion of classical guitar, rock, heavy metal rhythms, and cinematic acoustic arrangements, Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero bring their latest self-produced material, inspired by Japanese culture and themes of inner peace, to the Santa Fe stage. Combining Rodrigo’s lightning-fast lead melodies with Gabriela’s signature percussive rhythm techniques, the master instrumental duo delivers a high-energy performance spanning their two-decade career. Special VIP Meet & Greet packages are available alongside standard reserved seating.

Werner Herzog’s Encounters with the Natural World

November 8, 2026, 6 p.m. 
Legendary filmmaker and author Werner Herzog visits the Lensic Performing Arts Center for an evening exploring humanity’s wondrous, surreal, and complex relationship with nature. Celebrated for iconic films like Fitzcarraldo and documentaries including Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World, and Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Herzog reflects on his storied career and his latest project, Ghost Elephants, following a South African biologist tracking descendants of the largest recorded elephant. The evening delves into the mysteries of the natural world through Herzog’s signature lens of philosophical curiosity and dark humor. Signed bookplates will be available in the lobby, and VIP tickets offer admission to an exclusive post-event reception and private book signing.

Lyle Lovett

November 9 & 10, 7:30 p.m.
Four-time Grammy Award–winning singer, songwriter, and storyteller Lyle Lovett takes the stage for a two-night engagement at the Lensic Performing Arts Center. Across a career spanning 14 studio albums, the Texas icon has broadened the scope of American roots music by seamlessly blending elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues. Known for his witty lyrics, masterful storytelling, and genre-defying arrangements, Lovett brings his compelling live performance and extensive catalog to Santa Fe for two intimate, sold-out evenings. SOLD OUT.

THE BUENA VISTA ORCHESTRA

November 11, 7:30 p.m.
The Buena Vista Orchestra brings the definitive heritage of Cuban son, danzón, and jazz to the Lensic stage. Directed by virtuoso Cuban violinist Rolando Morejón Reyes, the repertory ensemble features an elite lineup of veteran musicians from the ranks of the original Buena Vista Social Club performances, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, and the touring bands of Celia Cruz and Omara Portuondo. The concert highlights traditional acoustic arrangements, showcasing legendary trumpeter Antonio Perigo, pianist Helder Rojas, and Latin Grammy-nominated percussionist Pepe Espinosa. This performance serves as a direct continuation of the historic, multi-million-selling global musical project that brought traditional Havana nightlife culture to worldwide acclaim.

PHILIP GLASS ENSEMBLE: POWAQQATSI LIVE

November 12, 7:30 p.m.
The Philip Glass Ensemble performs the definitive live orchestration to director Godfrey Reggio’s landmark cinematic masterpiece, Powaqqatsi, projected onto the big screen. Released five years after Koyaanisqatsi, this second installment of the non-narrative Qatsi Trilogy focuses on the human scale, global traditions, and the spiritual cost of industrialization in the Southern Hemisphere. Founded in 1968 as a laboratory for Glass’s groundbreaking minimal compositions, the ensemble employs its signature blend of woodwinds, keyboards, and vocals to navigate the intricate rhythm and emotional scope of the score. The special multimedia presentation is mounted in collaboration with local contemporary art institution SITE Santa Fe.

SWAN LAKE: SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS

November 17, 7 p.m.
Tchaikovsky’s iconic masterpiece is reimagined for the Lensic stage in Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights, a landmark new production blending timeless tradition with bold contemporary design. This innovative performance transforms the classical ballet into an immersive visual experience, using vivid light design, illuminated costumes, and a global cast of world-class dancers. Each act unfolds like a living art installation, merging light, movement, and music to breathe new emotional power into the legendary tale of magic and romance.

PechaKucha Night Santa Fe Vol. 31: POTLUCK

November 18, 6 p.m.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center and Creative Santa Fe co-present PechaKucha Night Santa Fe Vol. 31: POTLUCK, bringing together local creatives, thinkers, and changemakers for a fast-paced evening of unexpected stories and community ideas. Utilizing the signature PechaKucha format, where presenters show 20 slides for exactly 20 seconds each, the event offers an eclectic array of perspectives reflecting the shared creativity and humanity of northern New Mexico. Like a traditional potluck gathering, the program features a diverse mix of community speakers sharing the passion, projects, and purpose driving their work. Proceeds support Creative Santa Fe, The Lensic, and the global PechaKucha initiative.

MIREYA RAMOS AND THE POOR CHOICES

November 20, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning vocalist and violinist Mireya Ramos joins forces with the genre-defying ensemble The Poor Choices for a performance celebrating the musical traditions of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. As the founder of the acclaimed all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache, Ramos brings her signature “ranchera soul” sensibilities to a collaboration that blends traditional Mexican ranchera and son jarocho with American bluegrass, jazz, and country music. The concert frames the border region as a fluid, creative space, utilizing classical violin, acoustic instrumentation, and bilingual storytelling to explore cross-cultural connections and regional heritage.

The Met: Live in HD: Samson et Dalila

December 5, 10 a.m.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center presents a live high-definition satellite broadcast of Camille Saint-Saëns’s grand opera Samson et Dalila, transmitted directly from the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York. Conductor Giacomo Sagripanti leads a massive orchestra, chorus, and star ensemble starring mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina as the seductive Dalila and tenor Clay Hilley as the mighty Biblical hero Samson. Renowned for its lush orchestral score and iconic showpieces, including the seductive aria Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix and the climactic Bacchanale, the Met’s larger-than-life production brings one of opera’s most dramatic legendary tales to Santa Fe moviegoers.

AOIFE O’DONOVAN & CHRIS THILE: “WASSAIL! A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION”

December 7, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning acoustic masters Aoife O’Donovan and Chris Thile team up for a special seasonal performance titled Wassail! A Holiday Celebration. The evening showcases their distinctive vocal harmonies and acoustic virtuosity across a program of newly written, unreleased original holiday material alongside fresh arrangements of traditional winter classics. Thile, a MacArthur Fellow and central force behind acoustic ensembles Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, pairs his intricate mandolin work with the expressive vocals and guitar styles of O’Donovan, co-founder of folk standouts I’m With Her and Crooked Still.

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX: THE FUTURE IS VINTAGE TOUR

December 9, 7:30 p.m.
Global musical phenomenon Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox brings The Future is Vintage Tour to the Lensic stage. Renowned for their time-twisting arrangements, the multi-talented collective reimagines modern chart-toppers, 70s rock classics, 80s Britpop staples, and recognizable themes through the lens of traditional jazz, swing, ragtime, and mid-century soul. What began as a viral apartment recording project by pianist Scott Bradlee has grown into a premier touring ensemble featuring a rotating cast of elite vocalists, instrumentalists, and tap dancers. The new 2026 production serves as a high-energy, meticulously costumed celebration of live, authentically human musicianship, and audience members are encouraged to attend in their favorite vintage attire.

FATHER JOHN MISTY (SOLO)

JUDY COLLINS: “SWEET JUDY BLUE EYES” FAREWELL TOUR

December 22, 7:30 p.m.
Folk music icon and social activist Judy Collins takes the Lensic stage as part of her “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes” Farewell Tour. Marking her final major retrospective concert tour, this performance spans a legendary six-decade career and an extensive 55-album body of work. Known for her sublime, luminescent vocals and deeply personal storytelling, Collins defined a generation of American folk music with definitive interpretations of traditional material alongside seminal compositions by her peers. This evening presentation provides a final opportunity to experience her enduring catalog, acoustic arrangements, and narrative history in an intimate theater setting.

JOE ILLICK AND THE NEW YEAR’S EVE ORCHESTRA

December 31, 1:00 p.m. (Open Rehearsal) & 5:00 p.m. (Concert)
Conductor and music director Joe Illick and The New Year’s Eve Orchestra return for the 19th annual installment of Santa Fe’s definitive year-end classical music tradition. The 2026 gala performance features a headline appearance by Grammy Award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich, performing Paganini’s intricate and technically demanding Violin Concerto No. 4. The orchestral program also showcases vocal chemistry, pairing dramatic soprano Jennifer Rowley with baritone Raymond Diaz for a selection of celebrated operatic duets and romantic arias. Under the direction of Illick, the Music Director Emeritus of Fort Worth Opera, the ensemble delivers a sophisticated afternoon performance designed to ring in the new year with artistic vitality.

Ballet Hispánico: Mujeres

January 24, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrated as the nation’s foremost Latino dance organization and a major cultural institution for more than fifty years, Ballet Hispánico brings its acclaimed production MUJERES: Women in Motion to Santa Fe. The evening showcases works by three dynamic choreographers, using contemporary dance to examine identity, conscience, and cultural inheritance through distinct, evocative perspectives. Through athletic movement and rhythmic storytelling, the performance highlights the complexity and resilience of the modern Hispanic experience. In addition to the evening performance, the company will present an educational outreach matinee for Santa Fe Public Schools students as part of the venue’s ongoing community arts programming.

Third Coast Percussion: Ripples in the Water

January 27, 2027, 7:30 p.m. 
Grammy Award-winning percussion quartet and composer collective Third Coast Percussion brings Ripples in the Water to Santa Fe, honoring composer Philip Glass on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Renowned for redefining classical music and expanding the sonic possibilities of percussion, the Chicago-based ensemble performs a rich program centered on Glass’s harmonic vocabulary, featuring traditional mallet instruments alongside unexpected percussion tools. Highlights include the historic 2018 piece Glass composed specifically for TCP, his first-ever work written for a percussion ensemble, along with evocative interpretations of works influenced by his minimalist legacy. In addition to the evening concert, the ensemble will host a free educational matinee for Santa Fe Public Schools students as part of the venue’s COMPASS youth arts outreach initiative.

Audra McDonald

January 29, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Broadway icon Audra McDonald brings an intimate evening of vocal mastery to Santa Fe, accompanied live by her touring band. Renowned as one of theater’s most decorated luminaries, with a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammys, an Emmy, and a National Medal of Arts to her credit, McDonald showcases her luminous soprano voice and expressive narrative artistry across a wide-ranging repertoire. The performance features an evocative mix of classic Broadway show tunes, selections from the Great American Songbook, and contemporary standards.

ZOLTAN KASZAS

January 30, 7:30 p.m.
Hungarian-born, award-winning stand-up comedian Zoltan Kaszas brings his sharp, observational wit to the Lensic stage as part of his Road Warrior Tour. Dubbed a “breakout star” by The Atlantic, Kaszas skyrocketed to viral fame with his hilarious riff on why cats are better than dogs, a clip that amassed over 68 million views and was hailed by The Guardian as one of the funniest things on the internet. With multiple acclaimed specials across Dry Bar and YouTube, including Modern Male and his latest, London Fog, Kaszas has built a loyal national following by transforming everyday, relatable experiences into masterfully crafted, laugh-out-loud stories.

LUCIUS

January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy-nominated indie-pop duo Lucius, fronted by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, brings their signature, otherworldly vocal blend to the Lensic stage. Renowned for their uncanny, mirrored kinship, the two songwriters deliver a captivating harmonic sound so perfectly attuned that their voices move as a single instrument. The performance highlights their celebrated 2025 self-titled release, an album praised by Rolling Stone as the best of their career and lauded by The New Yorker as the pinnacle of their vibrant enterprise. Grounded in rare emotional precision and hard-won vulnerability, their new music dives deep into the quiet complexities of motherhood, relationships, and shared life.

Peking Acrobats

February 3, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Rooted in centuries of folk tradition and disciplined physical training, the world-renowned Peking Acrobats bring their high-energy showcase of ancient Chinese artistry and modern theatrical production to Santa Fe. The performance highlights an array of daring, gravity-defying athletic feats, including precision tumbling, contortion, foot juggling, precarious chair balancing, and their signature Bicycle Pagoda. Enhanced by vibrant traditional costumes, dynamic choreography, and contemporary stagecraft, the family-friendly production transforms the stage into a lively, carnival-like celebration of balance, flexibility, and timeless spectacle.

CHRIS FLEMING

February 5, 7:30 p.m.
Emmy-nominated comedian, actor, and writer Chris Fleming brings his highly physical and wonderfully eccentric performance style to the Lensic stage. Recognized by Variety as one of the “Top 10 Comics to Watch” and celebrated by The New York Times for his unmatched theatrical range, Fleming has solidified his status as one of today’s most distinctive live performers. The show follows the massive success of his HBO stand-up special Live at the Palace and his recent Comedy Performance of the Year win at the 2026 Just for Laughs Festival. Known for his acclaimed national tours like Showpig and Boba Everyday, Fleming delivers a masterclass in avant-garde comedy, blending razor-sharp wit with surreal, high-energy storytelling.

Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra

February 9, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning trombonist and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis brings the spirit of New Orleans to Santa Fe alongside his celebrated Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Hailing from the Crescent City’s famed musical family, Marsalis founded the ensemble to preserve foundational jazz traditions, showcasing riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisation, and traditional polyphonic brass arrangements. The high-energy performance delivers an authentic Mardi Gras celebration in the historic downtown theater, pairing big-band swing and soulful grooves with infectious rhythms designed to get the audience clapping, moving, and dancing in their seats.

SOLAS

February 11, 7:30 p.m.
Groundbreaking Celtic powerhouse Solas arrives at the Lensic to celebrate three decades of redefining contemporary Irish-American music. Hailed by The Boston Globe as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced,” the band famously weaves traditional Irish tunes with folk, bluegrass, and Americana. Led by founding visionaries Séamus Egan and Winifred Horan, this special 30th-anniversary tour reunites them with original accordionist John Williams alongside acclaimed modern masters Nuala Kennedy and Alan Murray. Expect a spellbinding, high-intensity performance packed with driving rhythms, soaring melodies, and the evocative storytelling that has made them a global cornerstone of the genre.

Malpaso Dance Company

February 18, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrated globally for its fluid technique and collaborative creative spirit, Havana-based Malpaso Dance Company brings an evening of contemporary Cuban choreography and international repertoire to Santa Fe. Led by artistic director Osnel Delgado, executive director Fernando Sáez, and co-founder Daile Carrazana, the eleven-member touring ensemble operates as an Associate Company of Joyce Theater Productions, regularly commissioning cutting-edge works from premier international choreographers while cultivating emerging Cuban voices. The performance highlights the troupe’s expressive athleticism, organic musicality, and dynamic fusion of modern dance with rich Afro-Cuban traditions.

International Guitar Night

February 24, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
The world’s premier touring acoustic guitar festival, International Guitar Night, arrives in downtown Santa Fe featuring four global virtuosos sharing the stage for an evening of dynamic solos, duets, and collaborative quartets. The 2027 touring roster highlights Grammy-winning Hawaiian slack key master Jim “Kimo” West, acclaimed French classical guitarist Roxane Elfasci, powerhouse Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Minnie Marks, and inventive Italian fingerstyle technician Luca Stricagnoli. Spanning traditional fingerpicking, classical masterworks, fiery blues-rock grooves, and percussive fretboard arrangements, the performance showcases the remarkable versatility and sonic possibilities of the acoustic guitar through an engaging cross-cultural musical dialogue.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

March 1, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Led by nine-time Grammy winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient Wynton Marsalis, the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra arrives in Santa Fe for a landmark performance marking Marsalis’s final season as Managing and Artistic Director. Composed of 15 of today’s finest soloists and ensemble musicians, the resident big band showcases an expansive repertoire that bridges foundational jazz masterpieces, innovative contemporary compositions, and original masterworks. Celebrating nearly four decades of advancing America’s classical music on global stages, this historic evening delivers a tour de force of precision ensemble playing, dynamic improvisation, and the legacy of big-band jazz.

Palaver Strings

March 4, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy-nominated chamber collective Palaver Strings joins forces with acclaimed South African jazz vocalist Vuyo Sotashe and Grammy-nominated pianist Chris Pattishall to present Incwadi. Celebrating the musical heritage of South Africa, the collaborative program weaves together traditional folk songs sung in Zulu, Sepedi, and Xhosa, choral compositions by Michael Moreane and Bheki Mseleku, and original pieces by Sotashe, all newly arranged for strings, piano, and voice by Pattishall. Blending the expressive intimacy of chamber music with American jazz idioms and South African folk traditions, the performance creates a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue centered on connection, memory, and musical exploration.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

March 7, 2027, 3:00 p.m.
Acclaimed UK children’s theatre company Tutti Frutti brings an imaginative stage adaptation of The Boy Who Cried Wolf to Santa Fe, offering a heartwarming theatrical experience tailored for young audiences and families. Written by celebrated playwright Mike Kenny and inspired by Aesop’s classic fable, the production unfolds in a whimsical village of knitters where needles click, festive sweaters tell tales, and a bored young shepherd struggles with the monotony of watching his flock. A talented ensemble of actor-musicians plays live instruments and sings while bringing to life an array of endearing characters, comical sheep, and a lurking wolf. In addition to this pay-what-you-wish family matinee, the company will present a free educational performance for Santa Fe Public Schools students as part of the Lensic’s COMPASS youth arts program.

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

March 9, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrated as Mexico’s most iconic folkloric dance institution for more than seven decades, Ballet Folklórico de México brings the visionary legacy of founder and choreographer Amalia Hernández to downtown Santa Fe. Grounded in extensive anthropological field research into regional traditions, traditional costumes, and indigenous rhythms from across Mexico’s diverse states, the internationally acclaimed company transforms traditional folklore into a dynamic theatrical spectacle. Featuring intricate choreography, live musical accompaniment, and dazzling traditional regalia, the performance offers a vibrant, visually stunning journey through centuries of Mexican cultural history and heritage.

The Hot Sardines

March 19, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Brooklyn’s beloved vintage jazz revivalists The Hot Sardines bring their raucous, brassy brand of early American swing and French chanson to Santa Fe. Rising from speakeasy-style underground roots to sold-out engagements at Carnegie Hall, the ensemble infuses classic jazz standards from the 1920s through the 1940s with sharp humor, stride piano, soaring brass, and theatrical rhythm. Performing hot on the heels of their latest studio release, Good News, the collective delivers a high-energy, foot-stomping evening of historic showmanship, vintage glamour, and irresistible groove.

Durand Jones & The Indications: Cruisin’ To The Park Tour

March 23, 2027, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrated retro-soul outfit Durand Jones & The Indications bring their Cruisin’ To The Park Tour to the Lensic Performing Arts Center, in support of their latest album, Flowers. Formed at Indiana University in 2012, the group has earned a dedicated global following by pairing gritty Southern soul and funk grooves with lush harmonies that resonate deeply with vintage lowrider culture. General public tickets go on sale Friday, October 23, with pre-sale access open to Lensic members and a premium VIP Pre-Show Acoustic Experience.

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. Buy tickets early; many of these incredible performances sell out fast!

FAQ: Tickets, Attendance, and Performance Details

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.

How do I Buy tickets for the Lensic season?

You can purchase tickets online at the official website, by calling 505-988-1234, or in person at the Community Box Office located at 211 W. San Francisco St. The box office is open Monday through Friday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Saturdays (12 p.m. – 4 p.m.), and on Sundays from noon until showtime. For all evening performances, the box office remains open until the show begins. We recommend booking in advance, as high-profile acts usually sell out.

What is the age policy for performances like Tig Notaro or Doodle POP?

The Lensic offers programming for all ages, but policies vary by specific show type. Family-oriented performances are open to all ages and designed specifically for children. However, certain acts, such as certain comedy acts, are designated as 18+ events due to mature content. Always check the specific event listing before purchasing tickets for minors.

What should I expect from the “Lensic Presents” series?

The “Lensic Presents” series is a curated selection of world-class touring artists across genres including jazz, classical, modern dance, and global music. Unlike community-hosted events, these are hand-selected by the Lensic to provide Santa Fe with international-caliber performances.

Is the Lensic Performing Arts Center accessible for patrons with disabilities?

Yes, as a nonprofit dedicated to high-quality arts experiences for all, the Lensic provides several accessibility services. The theater features ADA-compliant seating and elevator access to the balcony levels. Infrared assistive listening devices are available free of charge at the house manager’s desk for all performances. For patrons requiring specific seating for mobility devices, it is best to call the box office directly at 505-988-1234 to ensure the most suitable placement.

What are the best parking options near the Lensic in downtown Santa Fe?

The Lensic is located at 211 W. San Francisco St., just one block from the Santa Fe Plaza. While the venue does not have a private lot, there are several public options within a 5-minute walk:

• Sandoval Garage: Located at 216 W. San Francisco St., directly across from the theater.

• Santa Fe Community Convention Center Garage: Entrance on Federal Place.

• On-Street Parking: Metered parking is available throughout downtown, though it fills up quickly during weekend evening shows.

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.

Watch Lensic Live Performances in Santa Fe Today

The latest season at the Lensic offers an opportunity to see global icons in an intimate, 821-seat historic setting. From the jazz-fusion of Matteo Mancuso to the legendary storytelling of Patty Griffin, these performances are designed to inspire and captivate. Visit the Lensic Performing Arts Center online today to view the full interactive calendar and secure your seats for the season.

Learn more at the Lensic website.