BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — The cultural tradition of Boca Raton has reached its 20th anniversary milestone. The Festival of the Arts BOCA will take place at Mizner Park Amphitheater from February 27 to March 8, 2026 to celebrate its twentieth year of delivering exceptional performances and artistic events and thought-provoking discussions through its 2026 theme "Legends, Luminaries & the Unexpected."
Presented by The Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, the 2026 Festival promises an unforgettable blend of music, ideas, and inspiration — a reflection of how far the event has come since its debut in 2007.
“As we celebrate this milestone season, we’re honoring the legendary artists who’ve graced our stage—and making space for the next generation of greats,” said Joanna Marie Kaye, Executive Director of Festival of the Arts BOCA. “This season is a love letter to the power of the arts to surprise, inspire, and unite.”
A Star-Studded Opening Weekend
The Postmodern Jukebox group will return to the Festival on Friday February 27 to perform their signature style of turning contemporary songs into vintage jazz and swing and Motown music.
The Saturday screening of February 28 will show Jurassic Park to audiences through its state-of-the-art LED screen while a live orchestra performs the film's score in a unique symphonic experience.
Live Arts Global will present "From Swan Lake to the Stones: A Night of Ballet" on Sunday March 1st through a performance that unites traditional ballet with modern dance movements. The show will feature top dancers from around the world in a production that defies genre boundaries.
Authors, Ideas, and Insight
The Festival will present Authors & Ideas from March 2–5 by featuring leading experts in literature and history and science.
March 2: Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses “The Enduring Significance of the American Revolution: A Historical Perspective” in conversation with Dr. Robert Watson of Lynn University.
Walter Mosley who achieved fame through his innovative crime fiction work shares his professional experience and humanistic storytelling methods with audiences on March 3.
March 4: Esteemed bioethicist Arthur L. Caplan of NYU Grossman School of Medicine presents “In Defense of Science.”
March 5: Political scientist Dr. Danielle Gilbert explores negotiation under pressure with “A Very Particular Set of Skills: Life Lessons from Hostage Negotiation.”
Music That Moves
The last weekend of the event features performances that will deliver maximum excitement to all music enthusiasts.
On Friday, March 6, internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Conrad Tao — who first performed at the Festival at just 13 — returns to perform Rhapsody in Blue along with one of his own electrifying original works.
Time For Three will perform at the Grammy Awards on Saturday March 7th when they will combine their classical background with indie-folk elements to create a unique musical experience.
The Festival concludes on Sunday, March 8, with an exclusive Florida appearance by Broadway legend Patti LuPone. The season will end with a brilliant performance by LuPone who delivers powerful singing and captivating live energy.
The Heart of Boca’s Arts Scene
All performances will take place at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, located at 590 Plaza Real in Downtown Boca Raton, with select events also held at other venues throughout the year, including the Boca Raton Library, FAU’s Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, and the Schmidt Boca Raton Historical Museum.
The website www.festivalboca.org provides access to tickets and program information and festival updates.
or call 561-571-5270.
