Association of British Orchestras
When: 4–6 February 2026, London, UK
Join over 300 delegates from the UK and overseas at this year’s conference at the Southbank Centre, which tackles the challenges of inclusive recruitment, emerging technologies, sustainability and how we can shift the dial in the narrative around the impact and value of the work of British orchestras, on and off stage.
abo.org.uk/what-we-do/connecting/abo-annual-conference
Avant Première Music + Media Market 2026
When: 14–18 February 2026, Berlin, Germany
Avant Première will once again showcase the best in cultural TV and broadcasting and provide attendees with endless opportunities to strategise future projects and forge valuable collaborations – a perfect platform for buyers, partners, co-producers and financiers to shape
the future.
Australian Performing Arts Market
(APAM) 2026
When: 23–27 February 2026, Boorloo/Perth,
Western Australia
APAM 2026 brings together artists, producers, presenters and cultural leaders from Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and beyond for a dynamic week of showcases, pitches and networking. Offering a window into the region’s most exciting contemporary work, the programme reflects themes of identity, inclusion, environmental awareness and social provocation.
Opera Europa
When: 12–14 March 2026, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opera Europa will hold its spring conference in Amsterdam during Opera Forward Festival, placing artists at the centre of discussions in a deliberate shift from its usual administrative focus. The programme features keynote speakers Vasco Mendonça and Barrie Kosky alongside composers, directors and librettists, with conference activities embedded within performances and world premieres presented by Dutch National Opera and
partner organisations.
Classical:NEXT
When: 8–11 April 2026, Budapest, Hungary
Join artists, managers, presenters, orchestras, labels, educators, press, media, publishers and more at this global networking and exchange hub dedicated exclusively to classical and art music. Please note that this is taking place a month earlier than usual.
35th IAMA Conference
When: 14–16 April 2026, Tallinn, Estonia
Join artistic leaders and administrators from across Europe and beyond at the 35th IAMA International Conference, hosted by Eesti Kontsert at the Estonia Concert Hall and incorporating the Audio Classique platform. The programme will address touring, talent development, commissioning and new concert formats, with a special concert by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and a parallel focus on recording, distribution and deal-making across the classical sector.
Deutscher Orchestertag
When: 9–11 May 2026, Berlin, Germany
Deutscher Orchestertag is an annual conference that serves as an important platform for dozens of orchestras and their management teams, primarily those in German-speaking countries, giving them the chance to exchange ideas, engage in further training, and to discuss current industry topics.
deutscher-orchestertag.de/home
Opera Conference 2026
When: 12–15 May 2026, Wilmington, Delaware, US
Opera Conference 2026 brings the field together as OPERA America and OperaDelaware host an event that tackles big questions, shares bold ideas and builds strategies. Expect provocative plenaries, solution-driven groups, collaboration sessions, networking, practical breakouts and a performance of Andrea Chénier – all designed to strengthen the art form.
web.cvent.com/event/03675a41-da26-4d51-a43c-275cb07a1a8d/summary
2026 AAAE Conference | Confluence of Cultures
When: 28–31 May 2026, Boston, Massachusetts, US
AAAE’s annual conference unites arts administrators and educators from around the world to share research findings, explore best practices and discuss the evolving landscape of arts and cultural management through sessions focused on research, pedagogy and practice, while experiencing the unique cultural offerings of each year’s host location.
artsadministration.org/conference
League of American Orchestras
2026 National Conference
When: 1–3 June 2026, Baltimore, Maryland, US
The League of American Orchestras will hold its 81st National Conference in Baltimore, hosted by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. New for this year, the programme will include enhanced content for orchestra board members alongside a dedicated convening bringing together artistic administrators and artist managers.
AFTACON
When: 2–5 June 2026, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
AFTACON 2026 brings together arts administrators, advocates and artists from across the US to address shared challenges facing the arts and culture sector and to organise for collective action. The conference will offer purpose-driven learning across nine thematic pathways, alongside opportunities for peer exchange, collective organising and engagement with New Mexico’s cultural landscape to translate ideas into local and national impact.
2026 WFIMC General Assembly
When: 16–21 June 2026, Vilnius, Lithuania
The World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) will hold its 2026 General Assembly in Vilnius, Lithuania, hosted in the city’s historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Assembly will be preceded by a two-day international forum, Inspiring the Future, focusing on creative programming, new performance formats and strategies for developing future audiences.
Organised in collaboration with the Center for International Cultural Projects in Vilnius, the forum will feature contributions from leading artists and cultural leaders including Hyung-ki Joo, Mūza Rubackytė, Deborah Borda and Louise Herron, and will be open to WFIMC delegates as well as early-career artists and professionals. Supported by partners including Arts Council Korea and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, scholarships will be available to selected participants.
Chamber Music America 2026 National Conference
When: 20–23 August 2026, Chicago, Illinois, US
This year’s conference will take place in August, marking a shift from the event’s traditional January dates. The move follows a record-attended 2025 conference in Houston and is intended to better align with booking cycles, academic calendars and international participation.
WOMEX
When: 21–25 October 2026, Las Palmas, Canary Islands
WOMEX – Worldwide Music Expo – will return to the Canary Islands for its 32nd edition. With over 2,600 professionals (including 260 performing artists) from 90 countries, this is the most international and culturally diverse music meeting in the world. The conference features a trade fair of over 700 exhibitors, talks, films and showcase concerts from around the globe.
2026 CINARS Biennale
When: 9–14 November 2026, Montréal, Canada
This Biennale event is one of the most important international performing arts conferences in the world and delegates will have the opportunity to attend workshops, networking events and visit the exhibition hall.
