• Image of the words 2025 Gift Guide with an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater male dancer in mid leap on a black background and a red bow in the upper left corner

The quest for the perfect gift is over!

Make your gift unforgettable this year and give the thrill and joy of live performance! Explore ideas for the arts lovers (or soon-to-be arts lovers) in your life and enjoy $25 to all of the below performances during our Black Friday Sale, Nov 26–Dec 2.

For the Outer Space Lover

Mark Morris Dance Group
MOON
Jan 23–25

Sure, you could give Neil deGrasse Tyson’s latest creation to the Moon-obsessed person in your life…or you could give something truly otherworldly, in the form of dance.

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For the Poetry Lover

Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano
Time for Three
Emily – No Prisoner Be
Feb 7, 8pm

If they can quote Emily Dickinson by heart, this one’s for them. Gift the experience of hearing her deeply touching poetry come alive through an intimate new song cycle.

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For the Piano Lover

Bruce Liu, piano
Feb 10, 7:30pm

You know the type: endlessly debating Horowitz vs. Rubinstein, secretly judging everyone’s hand position. Let Bruce Liu show them how it’s really done!

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For the Changemaker

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
Feb 21–22

For that friend with endless heart, soul, and rhythm (especially if their playlists already include Nina Simone, Max Roach, and Shelley Washington) that are also drawn to storytelling that reflects Black and queer culture, love, and change.

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For the Minimalist

Canto Ostinato
An AMOC☆ & Sandbox Percussion Co-Production
A work by Simeon ten Holt
Feb 22, 3pm

Have a fan of the 70’s and minimalism in your life? Gift them a hypnotic, shimmering journey through repetition, restraint, and just the right amount of drama from four percussionists and two pianists.

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For your Holiday Host

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Apr 7–12

This legendary dance company pushes the bounds of what the human body can do and what the human spirit can achieve… Sort of like a holiday host! Skip the go-to bottle of wine and give the gift of joy and amazement instead.

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How to gift your tickets

Both your order confirmation (sent immediately after your purchase) and the digital tickets (sent 4 days before the performance) will be emailed to the email address you have registered to your account. To ensure your giftee receives the tickets, simply forward them from your email when they arrive in your inbox 4 days before the performance. If you want a token to hand off at the holidays, you may download and print (or email) this PDF as a ticket placeholder!

Learn more about digital ticketing >

Prefer to give a gift certificate?

Cal Performances Gift Certificates are available in any denomination, are good for Cal Performances Fine Arts events, and never expire! Order by 5pm on Tuesday, December 23 for delivery by the holidays.