Events & Festival

The 2026 National Vocal Arts Festival

A five-week celebration of Canada’s next generation of opera and music theatre artists.
In partnership with MacEwan University Department of Theatre.

May 24 – June 28, 2026 | Edmonton, Alberta

Get ready for five weeks of unforgettable music, storytelling, and performance!

Explore the Festival

In partnership with MacEwan University, Department of Theatre. This year, come experience the Vocal Arts Festival, featuring:

  • Così fan tutte, Mozart’s sparkling comedy reimagined in the Canadian Rockies, directed by Rob Herriot, conducted by Gordon Gerrard, at the Capitol Theatre, Fort Edmonton Park.
  • Brigadoon, a timeless tale of love beyond time, directed by Kim Mattice Wanat, at the Orange Hub Theatre
  • Speed Dating Tonight!, Michael Ching’s contemporary comic opera, directed by Benjamin Smith, at the Tucker Amphitheatre, Citadel Theatre
  • Downtown Pop-Up Performances across Edmonton’s Downtown core
  • Concerts at the Edmonton Public Library & Muttart Conservatory
  • Two Dinner Cabarets, An Acoustic Coffee House, Masterclasses, and much more!

This year’s festival brings together Canada’s most exciting emerging vocalists and musical theatre artists for a celebration of artistry, discovery, and live performance.

2026 Festival MainStage

June 18th – 21st, 2026
Mozart’s sparkling comedy about love and human nature unfolds against the breathtaking backdrop of the Canadian wilderness. Così fan tutte is reimagined at an elegant 1930s resort hotel on the edge of untamed landscape, performed at the historic Capitol Theatre, Fort Edmonton Park.
June 24 – June 28, 2026
When two travelers discover a village that appears only once every hundred years, love, tradition, and magic collide. One day. One love. One impossible choice.
June 11-13,2026
Michael Ching’s fast, funny, and unforgettable one act comic opera

Upcoming Events: See All The Festival Has To Offer!

Tuneful Tuesdays!

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
From sweeping romance to sparkling wit, this concert explores the music that defined a generation of Broadway storytelling. Featuring selections from beloved classics like My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, and Camelot, participants in NUOVA’s renowned five-week training intensive bring these iconic songs to vibrant life. Join us from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at the Muttart Theatre in the Stanley A. Milner Library, followed by a reception to meet the artists and celebrate the enduring magic of Lerner & Loewe.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Discover the brilliance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved opera through its most captivating arias and ensembles, brought to life by some of Canada’s leading emerging vocal artists. Featuring members of the cast from NUOVA’s bold Canadian reimagining, conceived and designed by Sheldon Johnson, this performance offers a unique preview into the Festival’s fresh take on this sparkling and provocative work.
May 26, 2026
Step inside the world of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for an evening of insight, storytelling, and extraordinary music. This distinguished event blends live performance with illuminating commentary, tracing the life, genius, and enduring influence of one of history’s greatest composers.

Friday Affairs!

Friday, June 5th, 2026
The Cocktail Cabaret blends smooth vocals, and a relaxed lounge atmosphere – perfect for easing into your summer night. Featuring Canada’s leading emerging vocal artists from the NUOVA Vocal Arts Festival, join us at Kaffa Coffee Roasters for an evening of music, connection, and cocktails.

Sensory Saturdays!

Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Among the Hydrangeas invites audiences into a serene, sensory world surrounded by lush blooms and shifting natural light. An afternoon of quiet splendour, where voices bloom among the flowers.
Saturday, May 30th & June 13, 2026
From 2:00–3:00 PM, experience a golden-age inspired musical gathering where voice and nature intertwine. Surrounded by cascading light and lush displays of golden hydrangeas, Canada’s leading emerging vocal artists from the NUOVA Vocal Arts Festival offer an acoustic performance of luminous clarity and warmth, revealing the beauty of song in its most unadorned form.

Soulful Sundays!

Sunday, June 14th, 2026
A gentle, joyful start to your Sunday – where good company, good music, and a shared table come together.
Sunday, May 31st, 2026
This intimate concert celebrates the beauty and immediacy of the human voice. Designed as a shared moment of connection and inspiration, this one-hour performance offers audiences a chance to experience world-class young artists up close in an inviting community setting.
Calendar

Plan a Date—No Need to Ad Lib

With our often intimate venues, tickets can disappear quickly. While you’re here, why not book your tickets and start looking forward to your next night out!

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Don't Miss a Thing!

Get the latest on upcoming shows, unique events, and special offers.

2023 Festival Lineup

Experience opera and musical theatre that explore the richness of artistic performance. The Melody Lingers On, Mansfield Park, Flight, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

Dinner Cabaret

Step into our city’s favourite restaurants for an evening of culture and cuisine. Top chef’s serve you several courses while talented emerging artists serenade you. Satiate your senses.

Music & Mimosas

Find out how brunch could become even better. Enjoy delicious food, bubbly drinks, and invigorating performances. The perfect recipe for a refreshing weekend experience.