San Francisco International Arts Festival 2026 Highlights

San Francisco International Arts Festival(SFIAF) announces the full schedule for the 2026 festival program and opens its box office to offer Early Bird ticket sales for its April 29–May 10 run, unveiling a globally scaled, Mission District–anchored program that brings more than 50 ensembles from the U.S. and eight countries to 14 venues, with California, West Coast, and world premieres across circus, contemporary dance, and experimental theater.

Opening night on Wednesday April 29, will feature the California debut of the wonderful Cirque Kikasse from Quebec City, Canada with an uproarious truck show titled SANTÉ!  Cirque Kikasse has performed all over the United States and Canada during the last three years, but their festival debut marks the first time they will have performed in the Golden State.

The first week of the festival will also include Dublin, Ireland-based contemporary choreographer Mufutau Yusuf with the California Premiere of an evening length modern dance duet titled Impasse and the world premiere of Clouds from a Crumbling Giant by San Francisco’s inkBoat.

Another major highlight of the 2026 program will be the West Coast Premiere of Yukio Mishima’s KINKAKUJI(Temple of the Golden Pavilion)adapted from the novel for the stage by Leon Ingulsrud and Major Curda withstage design by Chiharu Shiota.

KINKAKUJI will be presented in collaboration with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the U.S./Japan Cultural Trade Network and Theatre of Yugen. The play complements a major exhibition, Two Home Countries featuring the work of Chiharu Shiota on display at the Asian Art Museum’s 200 Larkin Street location from April 3 – July 27.

SFIAF welcomes back Duane Forrest from Toronto with last year’s festival hit Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World following the show’s extended run off-Broadway in New York.

Ivory Coast choreographer Kôdrô Aoussou Evry will travel from her base in Germany to collaborate on Ici N’Est Pas La Paroisse (This Is Not The Parish) with Byb Chanel Bibene of Oakland based Kiandanda Dance Theater. Argentinian composer and bandoneon player Ramiro Boero will resume his collaboration with pianist Sumi Leefollowing his debut at the Mondavi Center in Davis, CA. Melissa Cruz Flamenco will initiate our first concert at a new venue, the Mission Masonic Lodge on Bartlett Street.

Highlights of week two include the San Francisco premiere of Rio Journal by Belville Productions, the much anticipated festival debuts of Orquesta Típica Tarareando and Veronica Margaretwho will celebrate her first festival appearance with the release of a new album, titled The Ghost of Veronica Margaret and Company.

Colombian Marimba Master, Eryen Korath Ortiz continues her residency with Neblinas del Pacifico and the last day of the festival will include a special performance by Conspiracy of Venus to celebrate Mothers Day on May 10.

Festival Director, Andrew Wood said of the 2026 program, “It has taken a couple of years, but we finally feel at home again in the Mission. With 50 local companies featured, and augmented by top national and international artists such as Cirque Kikasse, Mufutau Yusuf, Kôdrô Aoussou Evry, Eryen Korath Ortiz, Ramiro Boero, Leon Ingulsrud, Major Curda and Chiharu Shiota travelling to San Francisco to share their work with our audience, the picture is positive and we are looking forward to a bright future for the festival and the City of San Francisco.”

What:San Francisco International Arts Festival
Where: Multiple venues in the Mission District
Dates: April 29 – May 10, 2026.
Tickets: FREE – $60. Five Show Passes: $100
Box Office and Information:https://www.sfiaf.org or 415-399-9554

Main image: Cirque Kikasse