WOW FESTIVAL Returns To La Jolla Playhouse In 2026

The annual immersive arts festival will transform the UC San Diego campus for four days in April.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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La Jolla Playhouse's annual WOW Festival will return April 23–26, 2026, transforming the UC San Diego campus into a four-day celebration of immersive, interactive and site-specific art. Presented in partnership with UC San Diego, the festival will showcase more than 20 new shows and art experiences from local, national and international artists.

Why it matters

The WOW Festival is a highly anticipated annual event that brings innovative, genre-defying performances and participatory art experiences to the San Diego community. As a free and open festival, it provides accessible opportunities for audiences of all ages to engage with cutting-edge contemporary art.

The details

Billed as 'theatre without walls,' the WOW Festival invites audiences to explore performances that take place outdoors and in unexpected campus locations throughout La Jolla. The festival is known for its programming that blends theatre, dance, music, installation art and participatory experiences that encourage audiences to move through and engage directly with each work.

  • The 2026 WOW Festival will take place April 23-26, 2026.

The players

La Jolla Playhouse

A renowned regional theatre that produces innovative and adventurous works, and presents the annual WOW Festival in partnership with UC San Diego.

UC San Diego

The public research university that hosts the WOW Festival on its campus, providing venues and public spaces for the immersive art experiences.

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What’s next

Additional details about the 2026 WOW Festival lineup and programming will be announced at a later date.

The takeaway

The WOW Festival continues to be a highlight of San Diego's arts and culture scene, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with boundary-pushing, multidisciplinary performances and installations in an accessible, community-driven setting.