The Berkeley Festival & Exhibition (BFX) is one of the world’s largest and most important early music festivals, featuring over a week of concerts, performances, exhibitions, and educational events. The 19th biennial festival runs June 6-14, 2026, with 21 mainstage concerts plus special events, a three-day exhibition, community workshops, and dozens of fringe presentations. All mainstage concerts are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, making world-class early music performances accessible to everyone.

Festival Overview

The Berkeley Festival, founded in 1990 and produced by the San Francisco Early Music Society (SFEMS), celebrates music from medieval times through the early Romantic period. The festival brings world-renowned performers, ensembles, and soloists to Berkeley to perform in concert halls, churches, and other venues throughout the city.

2026 Highlights

West Coast Premiere of Handel’s Alcina: The festival will feature a semi-staged production of George Frideric Handel’s opera Alcina—the first opera presented at the festival in over two decades. This is a major event in the early music world.

Berkeley Youth Choir Debut: The newly-formed Berkeley Youth Choir, a project of SFEMS, will make its debut at the festival.

Vienna Philharmonic Appearance: Featured performances will include orchestral works, choral music, and chamber music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods.

Educational Programs: The festival includes community workshops, lectures, and presentations designed to deepen understanding of early music performance practices and history.

Programming

The festival features 21 mainstage concerts across multiple venues in Berkeley and the Bay Area (some concerts are in San Francisco and Palo Alto). Artistic directors curate programming that ranges from intimate chamber music to full orchestral works, from vocal performances to instrumental showcases.

The Exhibition & Marketplace

The Berkeley Festival Exhibition and Marketplace takes place Thursday, June 11-13, featuring vendors selling early music recordings, instruments, books, and related materials. The exhibition is a hub of activity with vendors, instruments on display, and opportunities to explore the early music world.

Venues

Mainstage concerts are held in Berkeley’s finest venues, including:

  • Zellerbach Hall (UC Berkeley)
  • Hertz Hall (UC Berkeley)
  • Various Berkeley churches and performance spaces
  • Some performances in San Francisco and Palo Alto

Tickets & Admission

All mainstage concerts are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, meaning attendees can choose to pay what the concert is worth to them, from a suggested minimum to any amount. This approach, maintained since the festival’s founding, reflects a commitment to making great music accessible to all community members regardless of income.

Planning Your Visit

If you’re interested in early music or classical music generally, the Berkeley Festival offers an extraordinary range of performances. Even if you’re new to early music, the festival’s diverse programming and community focus make it welcoming to all. You can attend single concerts or plan to experience multiple events across the festival week.

For current ticket prices, detailed program information, and to purchase tickets, visit berkeleyfestival.org.

The Berkeley Festival & Exhibition represents the world-class arts programming that Berkeley offers, bringing together world-renowned performers and Berkeley’s engaged music community for a celebration of early music.

Getting There

The festival takes place at various venues throughout Berkeley, primarily in downtown Berkeley and on the UC Berkeley campus. BART service to Downtown Berkeley and campus stations provides convenient access. Specific venue details and directions are available on the festival website.