March 30 – April 12, 2026
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
One of Central Florida’s favorite cultural traditions celebrates ten years!
UCF Celebrates the Arts is an immersive and dynamic cultural extravaganza that fuses creativity, innovation and community engagement. This annual festival showcases the artistic prowess of UCF’s faculty and students and invites the broader community to enjoy performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences. With a focus on accessibility, partnership and diverse offerings, UCF Celebrates the Arts is a unique opportunity for the community to experience the creative side of UCF’s innovative spirit.
Fantastic possibilities lie ahead at UCF Celebrates the Arts 2026!
Scheduled Events
Full schedule coming soon.
View program notes within each individual event.
-
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 12:00 p.m. • Steinmetz Hall
National Young Composers Challenge 2026
The top young composers in the country converge in Orlando to hear their winning compositions performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Christopher Wilkins. The National Young Composers Challenge Composium is part concert, part masterclass, part competition, and guaranteed to be thrilling from start to finish.
-
March 31 – April 1, 2026 • Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
Knight to Shine 2026
The spotlight is on the graduating musical theatre students as they take the stage for an evening of cabaret-style performances. Enjoy songs from contemporary musical theatre, popular music and even a few surprises!
-
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 7:30 p.m. • Steinmetz Hall
Dancing Beyond the Stars
This high-energy dance showcase features original choreography from students, alumni, faculty and guest artists — highlighting the creative legacy of UCF’s dance minor program.
-
Saturday, April 4, 2026, 1:00 p.m. • Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
UCF Opera: A Double Bill of Fun
UCF Opera presents A Double Bill of Fun—two charming chamber operas performed in English, each brimming with theatrical flair, vocal brilliance and clever storytelling. Join us as UCF Opera performs Mozart’s The Impresario followed by John Duke’s Captain Lovelock.
-
Monday, April 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m. • Steinmetz Hall
UCF Percussion Ensemble feat. the Sympatico Percussion Group
Experience an electrifying evening as the UCF Percussion Ensemble and special guests the Sympatico Percussion Group fill the hall with the full power and artistry of percussion music.
-
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. • DeVos Family Room
Pen Pals: Theatre for the Very Young
When best friends Squiggle and Square move away from each other, they must find creative ways to keep communicating! Told through clowning, puppetry and music, Pen Pals is a 30-minute interactive play designed for 5 to 10-year-olds.
-
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 11:00 a.m. • Steinmetz Hall
Exceptional Knights
The UCF Concert Band's “A Day at the Parks” concert offers an inclusive, sensory-friendly experience for all, including the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and neurodivergent communities.
-
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 7:30 p.m. • DeVos Family Room
Music and the Brain, featuring the Pegasus String Quartet
Music and the Brain is an immersive event that brings together live chamber music by the Pegasus String Quartet and insights from leading scientists. As part of UCF’s Music and the Brain Research Study, audience members will have the option to participate in a non-invasive clinical trial. Guests are welcome to attend the performance without participating in the study.
-
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 7:00 p.m. • Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
Zodiac, for percussion sextet A collaboration between the UCF New Music Ensemble and the UCF Composition Studio
Experience Zodiac, a stunning new evening-length work by the UCF Composition Studio, performed by the UCF New Music Ensemble. Inspired by Steve Reich's minimalist masterpiece Music for 18 Musicians, this ambitious piece unfolds in a dramatic arc, featuring 12 movements that represent the zodiac signs. Scored for a unique percussion sextet (two vibraphones, two marimbas, and two drum sets), Zodiac is a rhythmic and captivating journey through time and sound. Witness the birth of a new musical masterpiece!
-
April 9 – April 12, 2026 • Walt Disney Theater
Legally Blonde
Join Elle Woods, sorority sister turned Harvard Law student, on a musical journey to defy expectations. Presented as part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2026 at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
-
Friday, April 10, 2026, 7:00 p.m. • Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
Orlando Shakes: What the Constitution Means to Me
Follow playwright Heidi Schreck’s journey through the complexities of American democracy, gender equality, and the evolving interpretation of the United States Constitution! Originally produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF,What the Constitution Means to Me will be performed at UCF Celebrates the Arts for the first time.
-
Sunday, April 12, 2026, 3:00 p.m. • DeVos Family Room
The Human-in-the-Loop (HITL): An AI Adventure
Join UCF students and faculty for an interactive performance exploring the cross-sections of human experience and artificial intelligence.
Show Your Support
UCF Celebrates the Arts is committed to keeping all performances and exhibits free or low cost for the community. And with your help, we can do so every year.
About the Festival
UCF Celebrates the Arts is an annual event that serves as a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. By bringing together artists and the Central Florida community, we aim to inspire a collective celebration of the arts.