Pacific Contact 2025
When: 2–5 October 2025, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Pacific Contact is British Columbia’s annual performing arts showcase conference and brings together hundreds of performing arts professionals for 40 live, multi-disciplinary performances, including music, dance and theatre. Attendees can explore the Contact Room exhibit hall, participate in networking events, panels, meetings, and workshops and discover new artists. Highlights include the “Pitch & Perform” sessions, offering artists five-minute opportunities to showcase or pitch their work. The conference also features a gala awards dinner with live performances and dancing.
bclive.ca/pacific-contact-2025/
Opera Europa Conference:
Perspectives 2025
When: 3–5 October 2025, Grand Théâtre de Genève & Opéra de Lausanne, Switzerland
Opera Europa’s autumn conference unites General, Artistic and Business Directors, Fundraising Managers and Dramaturgs to explore Sustainability, Inclusion and Digital Transformation. On 2 October, the four finalist teams of the European Opera-directing Prize will workshop a scene from Les Contes d’Hoffmann. In parallel, FEDORA will host sessions as part of the Next Stage initiative. Attendees will also experience Tannhäuser in Geneva and Don Quichotte! in Lausanne, connecting creativity across Switzerland’s cultural landscape.
opera-europa.org/event/autumn-conference-geneva
PAMS 2025
When: 14–18 October 2025, Seoul, Korea
Celebrating its 21st edition and 20th anniversary, the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) returns this October across major venues including the National Theater of Korea and ARKO Arts Theater. Co-hosted by Korea Arts Management Service and the National Theater of Korea, PAMS has grown into one of Asia’s leading international performing arts platforms. The event showcases Korean performing arts and fosters collaboration with global partners to strengthen a sustainable performing arts ecosystem.
SPAF 2025
When: 16 October – 9 November 2025, Seoul, Korea
Marking its 25th edition, the Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) returns across Seoul’s major venues, including the National Theater of Korea and ARKO Arts Theater. Co-hosted by Korea Arts Management Service, the National Theater of Korea, and Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, SPAF is Korea’s leading international festival for contemporary performing arts. Showcasing theatre, dance and multidisciplinary works, the festival spotlights Korean and international artists through performances, creative labs and workshops. Part of the wider K-Stage Festa, SPAF continues to expand artistic exchange and foster dialogue on today’s most pressing questions.
Classically Black
When: 18 October, London, UK
Presented by Black Lives in Music (BLiM), Classically Black returns to Kings Place for a one-day festival reimagining the future of classical music through Black and global majority perspectives. The programme features performances by Sabi Ensemble, Simmy Singh and The Jollof House Party Opera, a keynote from Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, a panel discussion on equity in classical music, and Evolving Sounds – a showcase for emerging artists. A youth workshop led by composer Pete Letanka nurtures the next generation, while DJ Spoony leads a special fifth anniversary celebration for BLiM with live UK garage and R&B performances.
kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/black-lives-in-music-presents-classically-black/
WOMEX
When: 22–26 October 2025, Tampere, Finland
WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) is celebrating its 31st edition in Tampere, Finland. With over 2,600 professionals (including 260 performing artists) from 90 countries, it 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.
APAP|NYC 2026 Conference
When: 9–13 January 2026, New York City, US
Registration is now open for the APAP|NYC 2026 Conference.
Join fellow performing arts professionals from the world of presenting, booking and touring and make new contacts as you attend the many events, from professional development sessions and networking opportunities to artist discovery sessions, EXPO, showcases and more.
ISPA 2026 New York Congress –
Resilience: A Global Dialogue
When: 13–15 January 2026, New York City, US
ISPA’s (International Society for the Performing Arts) popular congress brings together over 500 delegates from 60 regions for three days of seminars, workshops, discussions and networking, including the unmissable Pitch New Works and Coffee Klatch. Under the theme Resilience: A Global Dialogue, sessions explore sustaining international partnerships, fostering creative exchange and navigating a complex global landscape.
Early-bird registration is open until 25 October 2025.
Internationale Kulturbörse Freiburg (IKF)
When: 26–28 January2026, Freiburg, Germany
The IKF is Germany’s largest annual trade fair for stage productions, music and events. Over three days, international artists and ensembles present live showcases to a professional audience including event organisers, agents, festival directors and producers. Visitors can explore an extensive exhibition hall, attend a diverse supporting programme, and discover the latest trends in the performing arts sector.
