• Madison Symphony Orchestra: Radiance

    Friday, November 21 - Sunday, November 23

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  • Light complexion man and woman sip on a milkshake using two straws in a scene from "For Heaven's Sake (1926)."

    Duck Soup Cinema: For Heaven's Sake

    Saturday, November 22

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  • Kids in the Rotunda: Ken Lonnquist

    Saturday, November 22

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  • Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas

    Friday, November 28 at 3pm

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  • A caucasian woman with medium-length brown hair wearing a strapless black and silver ballgown. She is singing with her head tilted upwards, mouth open, in a mechanical utilities room.

    Overture. Forever.

    All gifts matched up to $200,000 through December 31, 2025

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Overture. Forever.

All gifts matched up to $200,000 through December 31, 2025

With less than $1 million left to reach our $30 million goal, thanks to National Guardian Life Insurance Company and SupraNet Communications, Inc., all donations are matched up to $200,000 through December 31, 2025. Now is your moment to step into the spotlight and double the power of your gift!

It's all about you!

Save with a Make Your Own subscription!

Handpick three or more Overture Presents performances to create a custom lineup that reflects your interests and get a 15-20% discount.

A composite image of 5 photos with one being in the center with a large yellow "O" surrounding it. Images include: Wynton Marsalis, an older black man playing the trumpet in a suit; a woman with medium complexion playing an electric violin with skull make-up covering half her face, an asian woman in white hitting a large drum, a black woman in white dancing and two white men who are naked except for two black magic hats covering their sensitive areas, in the center yellow "O."

The organizations that call Overture home

Resident Companies

Overture Center for the Arts includes nine award-winning resident arts organizations. Although they call Overture home, they offer independent, innovative and diverse experiences suitable for a wide range of audiences.

Overture Blog

Experience the magic of Duck Soup Cinema at Overture Center

An audience in the orchestra section of Capitol Theater seated and watching a screening of a silent film. An organist plays the red and gold Grand Barton Organ right of the stage.

Coming Up

View all events
  • November 18

    Tuesday

    Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Greg Zelek with Caleb Hudson, Trumpet

    Overture Hall

    Trumpeter Caleb Hudson has made a name for himself as one of the most virtuosic trumpet soloists as well as a respected pedagogue. Experience his incredible talent in a program featuring many arrangements for organ and trumpet.

    7:30 PM
  • November 19 - November 30

    Forward Theater, Theater Gutenberg! The Musical!

    Playhouse

    Bud and Doug have poured their hearts (and not much research) into their brand-new, Broadway-bound musical about Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. A chaotic and hilarious celebration of big dreams, bad ideas and the magic of live theater. 

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 21 - November 22

    Classical Music, Music, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Handel's Messiah

    Bethel Lutheran Church

    Kicking off the holiday season early, join the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Festival Choir of Madison for a favorite holiday tradition.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 21 - November 23

    Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Radiance

    Overture Hall

    “Rainbow Body,” a luminous work by American composer Christopher Theofanidis, weaves ancient and modern worlds together to take us on a spellbinding journey. Inspired by the chant “Ave Maria” by medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen, the piece reimagines her melodies in lush, cinematic orchestration.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 22

    Saturday

    Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Ken Lonnquist

    Rotunda Stage

    Enjoy a delightful performance by Ken Lonnquist, who writes and sings humorous, literate and thoughtful songs about nature, the environment and current issues.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 22

    Saturday

    Duck Soup Cinema, Film, Variety For Heaven's Sake

    Capitol Theater

    Join us for Duck Soup Cinema's "For Heaven's Sake." Harold Lloyd plays a carefree millionaire whose misadventures with a mission—and its charming founder’s daughter—spark a chain of comedic events and unexpected transformation.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 28

    Friday

    Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Cash Box Kings

    Rotunda Stage

    The Cash Box Kings bring the classic Chicago blues era to life, tailored to teach children about this timeless genre. This be-bopping blues party promises to get everyone on their feet and grooving!

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 28

    Friday

    2025/26 Season, Family Friendly, Overture Presents, Theater Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas

    Overture Hall

    Follow the story of a young bird named Max and his family as they begin their journey south for the winter. When Max gets blown off course and ends up at the North Pole... his adventure begins!

    3:00 PM
  • November 29

    Saturday

    Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Yid Vicious

    Rotunda Stage

    Yid Vicious brings klezmer for all ages to the Rotunda Stage. Get ready to dance as we celebrate the wonders of the season with Yiddish dance beats, special guests and shenanigans galore.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • November 29 - December 14

    Children's Theater of Madison, Family Friendly, Theater The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

    MYArts Starlight Theater

    When Mo Willems’ characters get together for the holidays, it’s bound to be the biggest extravaganza ever! Terrific tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts, audience antics—it’s all in this brand-new musical party that sleighs! 

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 4 - December 7

    Dance, Family Friendly, Kanopy Dance Winter Fantasia: Reimagined

    Promenade Hall

    Kanopy lights up the stage for the holidays with “Winter Fantasia: Reimagined,” a dazzling dance celebration showcasing a mosaic of cultural traditions.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 5 - December 7

    Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music A Madison Symphony Christmas

    Overture Hall

    This spectacular annual celebration has become a joyful way to begin the holiday season in our community for concertgoers of all ages. The Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir join us to bring this special concert to life.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 6

    Saturday

    Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Stuart Stotts

    Rotunda Stage

    Stuart Stotts is an energetic singer and storyteller who loves engaging audiences. In a family-friendly setting, you'll find yourself singing, moving, sharing ideas and laughing together.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 6 - December 14

    Children's Theater of Madison, Family Friendly, Theater A Christmas Carol

    Capitol Theater

    Children Theater of Madison's signature production transports audiences into the world of Charles Dickens’ Victorian England and the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Join us as the ghosts of Scrooge’s past, present and future teach him about generosity and the joy of giving!

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 11 - December 14

    Theater The Hello Girls: A New American Musical

    Playhouse

    From New York to Paris, from ragtime to jazz: “The Hello Girls” chronicles the story of America’s first women soldiers in this new musical inspired by history.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 12 - December 14

    Dance, Family Friendly, Madison Ballet The Nutcracker

    Overture Hall

    Madison Ballet's The Nutcracker brings Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score to life with stunning choreography, lavish costumes and a dazzling cast of dancers from our company, school and community, under the glorious Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra conducted by Maestro Andrew Sewell.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • December 13

    Saturday

    Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music The Handphibians

    Rotunda Stage

    The Handphibians will bring the vibrant sounds of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife, Brazil, to life with their songs and traditional drumming rhythms.

    Multiple Showtimes