UB Center for the Arts announces 2025–26 season featuring something for everyone

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The University at Buffalo Center for the Arts (UBCFA), the region’s largest multidisciplinary arts hub, announces its 2025–26 season, featuring both up-and-coming and legendary comedians, music programming that runs the gamut from searing soul, to iconic jazz, to bold interpretations of current pop smashes and special events that bring the best in arts and entertainment to Western New York. 

From nationally touring artists, to work from UB’s own creative community, this season invites audiences to join in a celebration of the full spectrum of live performance.

“This season is perhaps our most ambitious and diverse yet," says Jamie Enser, executive director of the Center for the Arts. "From major national tours and legendary artists to performances that spotlight the incredible creativity happening right here at UB, our lineup is stacked. We’re proud to bring world-class talent to the Buffalo region, while continuing to honor and celebrate the arts on campus and in the community.”

The season opens Sunday, Aug. 17 with internet comedy sensation Josh Johnson. With nearly four million followers and a razor-sharp wit, Johnson brings The Flowers Tour to the UBCFA. With only single tickets remaining for the 7 p.m. show, a 4 p.m. performance was added due to overwhelming demand.

Comedy continues into Sept. with Ali Siddiq: In the Shadows Tour on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. A master storyteller, Siddiq delivers powerful, often hilarious reflections drawn from real-life experiences. His acclaimed special The Domino Effect has earned him a devoted and growing following. On Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m., viral comic and podcast host Hannah Berner brings her bold, unfiltered humor to Buffalo with The None of My Business Tour, connecting with a new generation of comedy fans. On Sunday, Sept. 28 fan favorite Nurse Blake returns to the Mainstage at 8 p.m. with his wildly popular But Did You Die? tour, following a sold-out performance at the UBCFA in 2023.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Grammy Award-winning artist Joss Stone brings her Less is More Tour to the UBCFA, offering an intimate evening of soulful vocals and storytelling, Stone draws on a two-decade career that includes global touring and collaborations with legends like Mick Jagger and Stevie Wonder.

The season continues on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. with Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton and Beyond. Known for their innovative classical interpretations of contemporary music, VSQ blends orchestral elegance with pop culture favorites—from Swift’s chart-toppers to the lush soundscapes of Bridgerton—offering a fresh and cinematic musical experience. The following evening, Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m., welcomes Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert – The 20th Anniversary Tour, a multimedia event featuring a full orchestra performing the beloved soundtrack alongside scenes from the animated series.

Comedy returns on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. with Brad Williams: The Growth Spurt Tour, bringing sharp wit and high-energy storytelling to the Mainstage. On Oct. 23, 2025 at 7 p.m. Masters of Illusion, provides an evening of grand illusions, sleight of hand and jaw-dropping magic performed by some of the world’s top illusionists.

October concludes with Art in the Open, on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m., a free, immersive evening that celebrates the creativity of the UB’s arts community. Guests are invited behind the scenes to explore studios, galleries and rehearsal spaces; meet student and faculty artists; and enjoy performances, film screenings and installations that offer a rare glimpse into the creative process across disciplines.

A highlight of the fall season, jazz legend Herbie Hancock performs on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. as part of his 2025 North American Fall Tour. A 14-time Grammy-award winner and Kennedy Center Honoree, Hancock has been at the forefront of modern music for over six decades, blending jazz, funk and innovation into a boundary-pushing sound that continues to inspire. This unforgettable evening will celebrate one of the most visionary artists of our time.

On Friday Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m., the UBCFA transforms into a candlelit dreamscape for Twilight in Concert - a live-to-film screening of the original Twilight movie accompanied by a 12-piece ensemble performing the score in perfect sync. Comedy returns Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. with John Crist: Jokes for Humans, sharp, relatable observations delivered with Crist’s signature warmth and clean comedic style.

UB’s Distinguished Speakers Series returns with a powerful lineup of thought leaders and changemakers. Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and CNN senior military analyst opens the series on Oct. 21. On Nov. 11, National Geographic explorers Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko share “Into the Canyon: Between River and Rim”. Kevin Olusola, Pentatonix beatboxer and creativity expert, appears Feb. 10, 2026, as the keynote for UB’s 50th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Speaker. The series concludes March 10, 2026, with with former “TODAY” co-anchor, journalist, author and CEO, Hoda Kotb. All events begin at 7 p.m.

A highlight of the spring season, Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to the UBCFA on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with their signature blend of classical technique and cutting-edge choreography. This special 30^th  anniversary program features audience favorites and “Love Rocks”, a high-energy tribute set to the music of Lenny Kravitz.

Additional performances for both the fall and spring seasons will be announced soon.

Tickets for all performances are available now at ubcfa.org or through Ticketmaster. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the UB Center for the Arts Ticket Office. Please visit the website for hours.

For group sales, engagement opportunities, or more information, contact Jamie Enser at 716-645-6254 or jenser@buffalo.edu.

Explore the full schedule of performances and exhibitions this season at ubcfa.org.