The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) expands access to the arts with a new season of free and Pay What You Can community events. The 2026-27 Arsht Impact season features more than a dozen community engagement activities throughout the year, including Dia de Muertos and gospel celebrations; a hip-hop performance by Miami breakdance pioneers; a tribute to Haitian dance and music during Haitian Heritage Month, wellness-focused arts experiences and all-ages events across Miami-Dade County.
A part of the Arsht from its inception, Arsht Impact education and community programs offer free access to more than 42,000 people each season, 80,000 students each year and have connected with well over one million community members since the Arsht opened in 2006.
The following events are free and open to the public:
October 18, February 21 plus four more dates to be announced
Free admission
The Arsht brings free performances by local musicians, dancers and other artists to public venues throughout Miami-Dade County.
JOURNEY TO DIA DE MUERTOS FEATURING CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY
An Arsht for Miami presentation
November 1, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Knight Concert Hall
Pay What You Can: Free; $10 suggested
The event begins on Thomson Plaza with a Día de Muertos-inspired gathering featuring live music, calavera-making (sugar skulls), hands-on art activities and performances. The journey continues inside Knight Concert Hall with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, whose vibrant production follows a small town in Mexico as residents joyfully welcome the spirits of departed loved ones. Through dance, storytelling and cultural traditions, audiences will discover the beauty, history and meaning behind Dia de Muertos.
SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS: A SOUTH FLORIDA GOSPEL CELEBRATION
An Arsht for Miami presentation
December 12, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Knight Concert Hall
Pay What You Can: Free; $10 suggested
Celebrate the Christmas holiday with an unforgettable evening of gospel music, holiday joy and inspirational performances by Pastor Marc Cooper, Gospel Fest Miami artistic advisor, together with some of South Florida’s favorite gospel voices to the stage. This special concert brings the spirit of Christmas to life through powerful songs of faith, hope and celebration.
GOSPEL FEST MIAMI: ARSHT GOSPEL CHOIR INVITATIONAL
February 7, 2027 at 6 p.m.
Knight Concert Hall
Pay What You Can: Free, $10 suggested
Back for its third year, the Arsht Gospel Choir Invitational welcomes choirs and ensembles from all backgrounds to compete for a cash grand prize and the opportunity to perform at Gospel Fest Miami. The invitational will showcase choirs from three categories: church, community and collegiate. Choirs will perform at the Knight Concert Hall, highlighting their vocal skills with originality, creativity and showmanship for a panel of judges and a live audience. Applications will open September 14, 2026.
February 20, 2027 at 12 p.m.
Ziff Ballet Opera House
Free or Pay What You Can
In celebration of Black History Month, the Arsht’s 8th annual Heritage Fest invites the community to a free, all-ages day honoring the rich traditions, creativity and contributions of pan-African artists. Guests can come for part of the festivities or stay for the full celebration, enjoying food vendors, live performances, family-friendly activities and dancing. Designed to spotlight, celebrate and amplify pan-African artists in our community, Heritage Fest will begin with free family fun in the afternoon and culminate with an evening concert on Thomson Plaza.
THE GROUND ZERO EXPERIENCE: MIAMI AND HIP-HOP CULTURE
An Arsht for Miami presentation
April 17, 2027 at 7 p.m.
Knight Concert Hall
Experience the energy, creativity and cultural impact of hip-hop featuring Ground Zero Crew, Miami’s first and most renowned world champion breakdancing crew. The evening will begin with a pre-show activation on Thomson Plaza, inviting guests to connect with the sights, sounds and spirit of hip-hop before the performance. Established in 1996, Ground Zero Crew transformed the local breaking scene and earned international recognition for representing Miami on the global stage. Joined by other Miami hip-hop artists, this electrifying production will showcase the core elements of hip-hop through breaking, music, DJing, emceeing and artistic expression.
10 performances throughout the season
Free with performance ticket purchase
Arsht Plus is offered free to ticket holders at select Broadway in Miami, classical music and dance performances, inviting audiences to arrive early for themed interactive experiences that extend the performance beyond the stage. Beginning one hour before curtain, these experiences are designed to deepen audiences’ connection to the art, artists and ideas behind the performance and have included dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, live music and family activities. To learn more about which performances include Arsht Plus, visit here.
Pay What You Can
Select Arsht Impact performances this season are offered as Pay What You Can. Tickets are free, and guests are invited to give the suggested ticket price to help sustain live arts experiences in Miami. Guests who give the listed minimum receive priority seating in prime locations. As a nonprofit organization, the Adrienne Arsht Center invests every dollar directly into Arsht Impact education and community outreach programs that annually serve more than 100,000 people of all ages.
*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information.
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