International Festival
Saturday, April 1
10am - 5pm
Sunday, April 2
1pm - 4pm
Free
Age Recommendation
All Ages
International Festival is back at Overture Center—and bigger and better than ever! The annual festival has expanded to a two-day event on Saturday, April 1 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, April 2 from 1pm to 4pm. Together, we will celebrate the rich cultural heritage and diversity of our community with free performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home, tasty cuisines, stunning arts and crafts from around the world, and information from many local organizations and businesses with global connections. More than 40 cultures will be represented with 30-plus artists and 30-plus craft/arts and food vendors.
Guests may participate in person at Overture or online for select livestreamed performances.
View a full schedule of performers and vendors below.
Performer Schedule and Vendor List
Saturday, April 1
Sunday, April 2
International Market & Café Vendors
Stay after the Sunday Festival for an incredible show!
YAMATO the Drummers of Japan
Sunday, April 2, 7pm
Highlights from 2022
Upcoming Free Events at Overture
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Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda Trinity Irish Dance Academy
Overture Hall Main Lobby
Get ready for a high-energy showcase that will leave you breathless! In this performance, you’ll witness the incredible talent of Trinity students, some as young as 3.5 years old, as they bring traditional Irish steps and vibrant choreography to life on stage.
Multiple Showtimes -
Dance, Free Events Line Breaks Showcase
Promenade Hall
Enjoy back-to-back nights of performance showcases as part of the Line Breaks Festival presented by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI).
Multiple Showtimes -
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Limanya Drum and Dance
Rotunda Stage
Performing traditional music from Guinea and Mali, West Africa, Limanya Drum and Dance Ensemble incorporates song, dance, drum and theater into high-energy entertainment for all audiences.
Multiple Showtimes -
Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Free Events Community Clothing Swap
Overture Hall Main Lobby
Celebrate Earth Month with a clothing swap focused on reducing fashion waste and embracing conscious consumption. Give your gently used clothing a second life—and find something new to love in the process.
9:00 AM -
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Duke Otherwise
Rotunda Stage
Don’t miss the wildly entertaining Duke Otherwise! This playful wordsmith, spirited performer and captivating tap dancer brings music and laughter to audiences of all ages.
Multiple Showtimes -
Free Events Overture Center for the Arts Blood Drive
Overture Hall Main Lobby
Overture Center for the Arts is hosting our annual American Red Cross Blood Drive. The one-day event takes place in Overture Hall Lobby on Tuesday, April 22 from 9am-2pm.
9:00 AM -
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Lullaby Project
Rotunda Stage
Join local musicians and teaching artists for a very special day of sharing songs created for the little ones in your life.
Multiple Showtimes -
Educational/Talks, Free Events, Visual Arts Spring 2026 Exhibitions Reception
Overture Galleries
Join us for a reception and artist talks celebrating the Spring 2026 Overture Galleries. Centered on storytelling, our Spring Exhibitions feature artists who translate personal narrative into book-based and ceramic sculptures, symbolic mixed-media works and more.
5:30 PM -
Classical Music, Free Events, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music A Community Gift and Dream — for the Love of Music
During this free, two-day festival celebration, MSO musicians and diverse community groups will perform on a rotating schedule throughout Overture Center for the Arts. The Sunday concert features some of the “greatest hits” of classical music and will be the final concert Maestro John DeMain conducts as Music Director.
Multiple Showtimes