LIVE MUSIC IN SANTA CRUZ
Cabrillo Festival 2026: Legendary Performances, Free Rehearsals and a Season of Dreamers
For 64 seasons, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music has brought composers, musicians, guest artists, and audiences together in Santa Cruz to experience bold new orchestral music.
The 2026 season, We the Dreamers, runs from July 26 through August 9 and invites audiences to explore imagination, identity, freedom, resilience, and the evolving meaning of community through contemporary orchestral music.
Main venue: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Season theme: We the Dreamers
What Is the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music?
The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music is an annual two-week celebration of new orchestral music in Santa Cruz, California. Unlike traditional classical-music festivals centered mainly on historic works, Cabrillo focuses on music by living composers.
The Festival brings together a world-class orchestra, composers, conductors, soloists, educators, and guest artists from around the world. Many composers attend in person, giving musicians and audiences a rare opportunity to experience new works with the people who created them.
Cabrillo is recognized as one of America’s longest-standing festivals devoted specifically to contemporary orchestral music. Its programming combines major concerts with free rehearsals, discussions, youth programs, workshops, community partnerships, and educational events.
More Than Six Decades of New Music in Santa Cruz
The Festival’s story began in the early 1960s, when composer and musician Robert Hughes arrived in Aptos to study with influential composer Lou Harrison. Hughes became involved with concerts and theater presented at the Sticky Wicket coffeehouse, where performances took place beside the original two-lane Highway 1.
After Cabrillo College opened its Aptos campus, educators, musicians, and members of the local arts community helped expand those early concerts into what became the Cabrillo Music Festival.
Today, the Festival remains a significant part of Santa Cruz County’s cultural identity while bringing internationally recognized composers, musicians, conductors, and soloists to the region.
WHAT IS NEW IN 2026?
Introducing the 2026 Season: We the Dreamers
The 2026 season is framed by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through new orchestral works, the Festival asks a central question:
Who is the “we” of America—and who are “we” still becoming?
The season approaches that question through musical perspectives on history, citizenship, cultural identity, resistance, technology, freedom, belonging, and collective possibility.
Another important 2026 milestone is Music Director Cristian Măcelaru’s 10th year conducting the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra. The Festival is preparing for a full celebration of his tenth anniversary in 2027.
2026 Cabrillo Festival Mainstage Performances
The mainstage season brings together world premieres, major contemporary works, acclaimed guest artists, and music addressing some of the most urgent questions of the present moment.
FRIDAY, JULY 31 · 8:00 PM
On Freedom
The opening concert examines the distance between national ideals and lived experience through works by Vivian Fung, Pedro Emanuel Pereira, and Philip Glass.
The program includes the world premieres of Fung’s America the Beautiful? and Pereira’s Clarinet Concerto, followed by the West Coast premiere of Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15, Lincoln.
Baritone Zachary James and clarinetist Carlos Ferreira join the Festival Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 · 7:00 PM
Defiant Dreams
This program centers voices of resistance and cultural continuity, exploring the idea of dreaming as an act of defiance.
The concert features music by Leilehua Lanzilotti, James Lee III, and Sarah Hennies, including the world premiere of Hennies’ Festival Creative Lab commission, The Grain House.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 · 7:00 PM
Control
Control examines power, technology, agency, and the forces shaping contemporary life.
The program includes the world premiere of Clarice Assad’s Kontrol, featuring violinist Philippe Quint, alongside works by Jackson A. Waters, Hannah Ishizaki, and Dan Dediu.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 · 7:00 PM
Hope as Our Banner
The Festival’s grand finale looks toward resilience, belonging, movement, and collective possibility.
The program features music by Eunike Tanzil, Lisa Bielawa, Elena Kats-Chernin, and Sean Shepherd, with violinist Tessa Lark joining the Festival Orchestra.
Tickets Are on Sale Now
Tickets may be ordered online, by telephone, or through the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Box Office.
- Online: Order through Cabrillo Festival’s official ticket page
- Box office: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street
- Telephone: 831-420-5260, extension 5
- Box-office hours: Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
FREE AND OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
Experience the Festival Through Free Open Rehearsals
Cabrillo’s open rehearsals are one of the Festival’s most valued traditions. For nearly two weeks, visitors can watch new music take shape as the conductor, orchestra, composers, soloists, and guest artists work together.
Unlike a finished concert, an open rehearsal reveals the creative process. Audiences may hear the conductor refine pacing, composers respond to the orchestra, musicians work through difficult passages, and a new piece develop toward its first public performance.
The rehearsals are free to attend in person. Many rehearsals are also scheduled to be livestreamed, although particular works may not be available online because of music-licensing restrictions.
2026 Open Rehearsal Dates
- Sunday, July 26
- Monday, July 27
- Tuesday, July 28
- Wednesday, July 29
- Thursday, July 30
- Wednesday, August 5
- Thursday, August 6
- Friday, August 7
Rehearsal times, programs, and streaming availability are subject to change. Review the official schedule before attending.
Free Concerts, Talks and Community Programs
The Cabrillo Festival offers several ways to participate without purchasing a mainstage concert ticket.
Meet the Composers
Join Music Director Cristian Măcelaru and participating composers for a free panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session. The event is scheduled for August 1 and will also be livestreamed.
Free Family Concert
The August 2 Family Concert introduces young audiences to the orchestra through music, storytelling, and a hands-on Tour of the Orchestra.
Youth Ensemble Concert
On August 8, musicians ages 16–24 will present a free concert of original works programmed, produced, performed, and introduced by members of the Festival’s Youth Ensemble.
Pre-Rehearsal Talks
Free talks explore the historical, technological, cultural, and artistic ideas behind selected works before the orchestra rehearses them.
HELP FILL THE CIVIC
Image courtesy of: Cabrillo Fest
How to Help Spread the Word About the Festival
A festival comes alive when people are in the room. Cabrillo is asking longtime supporters, music lovers, families, educators, local businesses, and curious newcomers to help introduce more people to the experience.
Sample Message to Share
“The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music is returning to Santa Cruz with new orchestral music, world premieres, free rehearsals, community events, and major performances. I’m planning to attend and would love for you to join me. Explore the season at cabrillomusic.org.”
Don't forget your swag!
Grab your swag here: bonfire.com/store/cabrillo-festival-of-contemporary-music/
LIVE STREAMING AND EVENT PRODUCTION
Mindwarp Entertainment Productions Is Supporting the 2026 Livestream
Mindwarp Entertainment Productions is pleased to provide livestreaming support for the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
The livestream helps extend selected Festival experiences beyond the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, allowing remote viewers to connect with rehearsals, conversations, and Festival programming from outside the region.
Streaming availability may vary by program because of performance and music-licensing requirements.
Stay tuned to Mindwarp and Cabrillo Festival channels for livestream schedules, access information, and behind-the-scenes production updates.
Plan Your Cabrillo Festival Visit
The full calendar includes concerts, open rehearsals, panel discussions, workshops, community partnerships, youth programs, and free public events.
Festival Location
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium307 Church Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Additional partner programs may take place at other locations throughout Santa Cruz County. Check each event listing for the correct venue, arrival time, ticketing requirements, and accessibility information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music?
It is an annual Santa Cruz music festival dedicated to contemporary orchestral music by living composers. The Festival presents concerts, premieres, open rehearsals, discussions, workshops, and free community programs.
When is the Cabrillo Festival in 2026?
The 2026 season runs from July 26 through August 9 in Santa Cruz, California.
What is the theme of the 2026 Festival?
The 2026 season is titled We the Dreamers. Its programs explore freedom, civic identity, resilience, cultural continuity, power, technology, and collective possibility.
Are Cabrillo Festival rehearsals free?
Yes. The open rehearsals are free to attend in person. Selected rehearsals may also be livestreamed, subject to program and licensing restrictions.
Is there a free concert for families?
Yes. The free Family Concert is scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
Where can tickets be purchased?
Tickets can be purchased through Cabrillo Festival’s official ticket page or through the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Box Office.
Will Festival events be livestreamed?
Selected Festival programming and open rehearsals are expected to be available online. Availability may vary because some music cannot be streamed under applicable licensing restrictions.
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