Shanghai Ballet: The Butterfly Lovers
Presented by Clark Center for the Performing Arts — Arroyo Grande
Tuesday, 10/20/2026

Shanghai Ballet returns to North America after more than five years with The Butterfly Lovers, a full-length ballet based on one of China’s most treasured love stories. Often called the Chinese Romeo and Juliet, the legend tells of two young lovers whose devotion transcends social barriers and ultimately transforms them into butterflies.

Chamber Music & Wine with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Presented by LA Philharmonic — Los Angeles
Tuesday, 10/20/2026

Experience big performances on a more intimate scale when musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform chamber music in small ensembles. Come early and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine before the performance, starting at 6:30pm.

McCallum Cabaret
Presented by McCallum Theatre — Palm Desert
Tuesday, 10/20/2026

Chris Ruggiero

Debussy & Stravinsky with Elim Chan
Presented by LA Philharmonic — Los Angeles
10/22/2026 - 10/25/2026  Next performance: Thursday, 10/22/2026

Debussy’s dreamlike colors, Stravinsky’s vivid energy, and Gomyo premieres Adams’ Violin Concerto.

Into the Woods
Presented by Coronado Playhouse — Coronado
10/23/2026 - 11/22/2026  Next performance: Friday, 10/23/2026

And happy ever after

Desert Theatricals
Presented by Desert Theatricals — Rancho Mirage
10/23/2026 - 4/4/2027  Next performance: Friday, 10/23/2026

We are delighted to announce - Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS starring Lizzie Schmelling Sosa and Catrina Teruel Oct 23-25, 2026, followed by the smash hit movie musical SISTER ACT Feb 26-28, 2027 and one of the greatest musicals of all time MAN OF LA MANCHA starring Charles Herrera, Jacob Lozano and Joseph Savant April 2-4, 2027

Gabriela Montero
Presented by La Jolla Music Society — La Jolla
Friday, 10/23/2026

The internationally acclaimed pianist Gabriela Montero returns to La Jolla Music Society with a richly expressive recital of Spanish and Spanish-inspired music.

Sa Dance Company: An Indian American Dance Experience RISE
Presented by Carpenter Performing Arts Center — Long Beach
Saturday, 10/24/2026

Celebrate the power, resilience, and spirit of womanhood in RISE, an immersive Indian American dance experience told in four movements. Following one woman’s journey through dreams, expectations, adversity, faith, and sisterhood, RISE honors the generations of women whose strength paved the way.

Meet The Strings: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Presented by San Diego Symphony — San Diego
Saturday, 10/24/2026

A gentle, twinkling welcome into the world of string instruments! Perfect for babies, toddlers and curious preschoolers, this sensory-friendly 25-minute concert creates a cozy space where little ones can listen, sway, or simply sparkle with wonder. Featuring the soothing sounds of violins, violas, cellos and bass, children will hear how music can shimmer, hum and glow – just like a starry night.

Brahms Symphony No.1
Presented by Pasadena Symphony — Pasadena
Saturday, 10/24/2026

Brahms Symphony No. 1 October 24, 2026 2:00pm & 8:00pm

House Party PS: Pride in Paradise 2
Presented by Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation — Palm Springs
Saturday, 10/24/2026

Get ready for a wild tropical adventure before Pride as we celebrate love, diversity, and freedom in a Palm Springs paradise! House Party PS: Pride in Paradise 2: A Pre-Pride Tropical Adventure Billboard Top 10 Recording Artist DEBBY HOLIDAY Drag Star/Songstress BILLY L’AMOUR Jazz/Cabaret Star KEIHSA D SOS Entertainers/Desert Studs Dancers

Santa Barbara Symphony: Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto (Opening Weekend)
Presented by Santa Barbara Symphony — Santa Barbara
10/24/2026 - 10/25/2026  Next performance: Saturday, 10/24/2026

Plagued by self-doubt, Sergei Rachmaninoff had abandoned his music. When inspiration returned, he poured every ounce of longing and triumph into the concerto that made him immortal. Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann brings it to life. Nir Kabaretti also conducts Shostakovich's Fifth —a stirring masterpiece of courage, conflict, and survival.

JS Bach & Vieuxtemps viola sonatas - Yorba Linda
Presented by UP CLOSE AND CLASSICAL — Yorba Linda
Sunday, 10/25/2026

UP CLOSE AND CLASSICAL sonata series presents a concert of viola da gamba sonata by Johannes Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) and viola sonata by Henri Vieuxtemps. Free admission, donations appreciated. Musicians: Junko Nojima, hapsichord/piano and Nicholaus Yee, viola

Happy Hour with Grant Gershon
Presented by Salastina — Pasadena
Sunday, 10/25/2026

One of Southern California's most influential musical leaders joins Brian Lauritzen for an evening of conversation, stories, and live music.

Megan Hilty
Presented by McCallum Theatre — Palm Desert
Sunday, 10/25/2026

She’s a star. She has always been a star. Louis Peitzman, Buzzfeed

Lucile Dollat
Presented by LA Philharmonic — Los Angeles
Sunday, 10/25/2026

Organ Recital The award-winning organist celebrated for her remarkable grasp of French music from the 16th century to the contemporary era makes her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut.

& Juliet
Presented by McCallum Theatre — Palm Desert
10/27/2026 - 11/1/2026  Next performance: Tuesday, 10/27/2026

Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek, ” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal with Rafael Payare
Presented by LA Philharmonic — Los Angeles
Tuesday, 10/27/2026

Rafael Payare leads his Montreal orchestra in Shostakovich’s symphony of tragedy, terror, and triumph, plus Mendelssohn’s timeless Violin Concerto with Leonidas Kavakos.

The Minutes
Presented by Coachella Valley Repertory — Cathedral City
10/28/2026 - 11/15/2026  Next performance: Wednesday, 10/28/2026

“It’s devilishly funny until it’s not. It is thrilling and essential theater that interrogates the present by laying bare how history is written.” – Variety

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Presented by San Diego Symphony — San Diego
Thursday, 10/29/2026

Rafael Payare, conductor Leonidas Kavakos, violin Orchestre symphonique de Montréal MOUSSA: Elysium TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 STRAVINSKY: The Firebird (full ballet)