UCB Students

There’s a seat waiting for you at Cal Performances!

Cal Performances is one of the world’s premier performing arts presenters for music, dance, and theater. Each season (roughly in line with the school year), we bring approximately 80 of the very best music, dance, and theater performances from all over the world right to the UC Berkeley campus—with great deals exclusively for UC Berkeley students to every single event!

Tickets to the 2026-27 season on sale August 21!

Access to your exclusive UCB student discounts for the 2026-27 season begins August 21! Sign up for our Email Club—and mark yourself as a student—to be the first to know when the discounts are live.

Want to attend live performances, but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered!

  1. Discover approximately 80 music, dance, theater, and interdisciplinary performances happening during the school year.
  2. Review your UC Berkeley student discount options.
  3. Join our Email Club—and make sure to mark yourself as a UCB student—to be alerted when $10 Golden Bear Circle tickets go on sale and to learn about upcoming performances.
  4. Check out more ways to get involved!

Discounts for Every Occasion

The variety of Cal Performances’ UC Berkeley student discounts allows you to prioritize what matters most to you when purchasing tickets—flexibility in choosing performances, seat selection, price, and more!

An image depicting the words: UC Berkeley 50% Off Discounts

UC Berkeley students get 50% off single ticket prices for all Cal Performances events, every seat in the house, without exception. Tickets can be purchased online with CalNet authentication or in person with your current student ID at the Zellerbach Hall Ticket Office.

All UC Berkeley student tickets require authentication with your current UC Berkeley student ID. Until you authenticate, you will not see your 50% off discounted ticket price. Please note: one ticket per student, per event at the 50% off discounted rate. 

Authenticate via CalNet

An image depicting the words: UCB Student Flex Pass

Buy in bulk and you can get four, six, or eight tickets to world-class performances for just $15 per ticket! Tickets can be redeemed at any point during the season, so you can find shows that fit your schedule.

Student Flex Pass:
4 performances for only $60
6 performances for only $90
8 performances for only $120


Each student is allowed to redeem their Flex Passes for up to two tickets per performance, regardless of the number of Flex Passes purchased. Flex Pass tickets may be used by the purchaser and up to one (1) guest per event; the guest does not need to be a UC Berkeley student. Student Flex Passes are redeemable for the best available seats at the time of redemption in price 3-4 for Zellerbach Hall, the balcony in First Congregational Church, price 2 in Hertz Hall, and all seats in Zellerbach Playhouse. (Other seating restrictions may apply.) Redeem “Flex Pass Performance” vouchers for the performance of your choice by visiting the Ticket Office any time between Pass purchase and the day of the show. Some events have limited Flex Pass redemption. You will need to have a valid, current UCB student ID to redeem. All Flex Pass sales are final and unused tickets are not refundable.

The following 2026–27 events or event dates are not available for Flex Pass redemption:

The Australian Ballet: Oscar© by Christopher Wheeldon (Sep 26, 1pm and Sep 27); William Kentridge’s The Head & the Load (Nov 15); Cirque Kalabanté: WOW (World of Words) (Nov 29); Kodo: One Earth Tour 2027: Luminance (Jan 24); Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández (Feb 14); Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Feb 28); Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Apr 10, 2pm and Apr 11); MOMIX: Botanica (May 8 and 9)

Performances not available for Flex Pass redemption and Group Sales are subject to change.

An image depicting the words: UCB Student Golden Bear Circle

Cal Performances’ popular Golden Bear Circle program gives UC Berkeley students access to $10 tickets for some of the best seats in the house. This season, the program has expanded to cover 40+ events, which is over half of our season.

Golden Bear Circle tickets are limited and often sell out in minutes. Join our Email Club––and make sure to mark yourself as a UCB student––to get the on-sale announcements straight to your inbox.

UC Berkeley students may purchase up to two tickets per performance through Golden Bear Circle, online only. If you purchase two tickets, your guest does not need to be a UC Berkeley student.

Tickets go on sale at noon as follows:

On Sale Sep 10

The Australian Ballet: Oscar© by Christopher Wheeldon, Sat, Sep 26, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Sep 24

Takács Quartet with Jeremy Denk, piano, Sun, Oct 11, 3pm, Zellerbach Hall
Michael Pollan & Christof Koch: A Journey into Consciousness, Tue, Oct 13, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Oct 8

Mariachi Herencia de Mexico: La Nueva Generación Tour: Día de los Muertos, Fri, Oct 23, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Steve Reich at 90: A Birthday Celebration, Sat, Oct 24, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Iestyn Davies, countertenor; Oliver Wass, harps, Sun, Oct 25, 3pm, Hertz Hall
Angela Davis in conversation with Poulomi Saha: “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free”: Movements for Liberation and Transfigurations of Freedom, Wed, Oct 28, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Oct 22

William Kentridge’s The Head & the Load, Sat, Nov 12, 7:30pm, Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, Oakland

On Sale Nov 5

Lise Davidsen, soprano; James Baillieu, piano, Thu, Nov 19, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
The Complete Philip Glass Etudes, Fri, Nov 20, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Jason Moran and the Harlem Hell Fighters: James Reese Europe and the Absence of Ruin, Sat, Nov 21, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Nov 19

Cirque Kalabanté: WOW (World of Words, Sat, Nov 28, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Ambrose Akinmusire & Aszure Barton: A a | a B: B E N D, Sat, Dec 5, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Jan 14

Kodo: One Earth Tour 2027: Luminance, Sat, Jan 23, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Takacs Quartet, Sun, Jan 24, 3pm, Hertz Hall
Mitsuko Uchida, piano, Fri, Jan 29, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER in Concert, Sun, Jan 31, 7pm, Zellerbach Hall
Attacca Quartet with Caroline Shaw, voice and violin, Sun, Jan 31, 3pm, Hertz Hall
Company Hervé Koubi: Sol Invictus , Sat, Feb 6, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Jan 28

Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas; Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano; Il Pomo d’Oro Orchestra and Choir, Wed, Feb 10, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández: 75th Anniversary Tour, Sat, Feb 13, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Blake Pouliot, violin; Henry Kramer, piano: Follow the Lieder, Sun, Feb 14, 3pm, Hertz Hall
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Fri, Feb 19, 7:30pm Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Feb 11

J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion; Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists; Masaaki Suzuki, conductor, Sun, Feb 21, 5pm, Zellerbach Hall
Danish String Quartet, Sun, Feb 21, 3pm, Hertz Hall
LUNA LAB@10: Celebrating a Decade of Young Composers, Fri, Feb 26, 7:30pm,
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Sat, Feb 27, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Attacca Quartet, Sun, Feb 28, 3pm, Hertz Hall

On Sale Feb 28

Vienna Philharmonic; Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor, Tue, Mar 2, 7:30pm; Wed, Mar 3, 7:30pm; Thu, Mar 4, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Cheyenne Jackson: That Guy From That Thing, Sat, Mar 6, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Mar 4

An Evening with Audra McDonald, Sat, Mar 20, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Theotime Langlois de Swarte, Baroque violin; Thomas Dunford, lute: The Mad Lover, Sun, Mar 21, 3pm, Hertz Hall

On Sale Mar 18

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Tue, Apr 6, 7:30pm; Sat, Apr 10, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Paul Lewis, piano Sun, Apr 11, 3pm, Hertz Hall

On Sale Apr 1

The Tallis Scholars: Peter Phillips, director; Slings and Arrows…, Fri, Apr 16, 7:30pm, First Church
Aga Khan Master Musicians with Vincent Peirani and Vincent Ségal, Fri, Apr 16, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Niladri Kumar: The Space Between the Notes, Sat, Apr 17, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Le Concert des Nations; Jordi Savall, director: Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5, Fri, Apr 23, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Sat, Apr 24, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall
The English Concert: Alessandro; Harry Bicket, conductor and harpsichord, Sun, Apr 25, 3pm, Zellerbach Hall

On Sale Apr 22

MOMIX: Botanica, Fri, May 7, 7:30pm, Zellerbach Hall

*A UC Berkeley student may purchase up to two tickets per performance through Golden Bear Circle, online only. If you purchase two tickets, your guest does not need to be a UC Berkeley student.

An image depicting the words: UCB Student Group Discounts

Whether you want to add enrichment to classroom learning, or create a memorable night out for members of a club, fraternity, or sorority (or even a large group of friends!), there’s nothing like experiencing live art together. For select performances, we offer UC Berkeley student groups of 10 or more a special rate of $15 per ticket.

You can work with our Ticket Office to create a promotion code so that those in your group can individually order their tickets, or, alternately, make arrangements to purchase tickets all at once for direct distribution to your group. Limit two tickets per student (at least half of your group must be UC Berkeley students; any guests do not need to be students).

For an added social dimension to your experience, Cal Performances can help make arrangements for groups of 25–125 people to get together in the hall during intermission or following the performance (space availability permitting).

To purchase UC Berkeley Student Group tickets, start by filling out the request form. UCB student group tickets are available for limited events and in limited quantities and are available for requesting groups on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: a full list of attendees’ names and email addresses will be required by Cal Performances in advance of the performance.

The following 2026–27 events or event dates are not available for Student Group Sales:

The Australian Ballet: Oscar© by Christopher Wheeldon (Sep 26, 1pm and Sep 27); William Kentridge’s The Head & the Load (Nov 15); Cirque Kalabanté: WOW (World of Words) (Nov 29); Kodo: One Earth Tour 2027: Luminance (Jan 24); Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER in Concert (Jan 31, both 2pm and 7pm); Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández (Feb 14); Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Danish String Quartet; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Apr 10, 2pm and Apr 11); MOMIX: Botanica (May 8 and 9)

Performances not available for Flex Pass redemption and Group Sales are subject to change.

An image depicting the words: UCB Student Rush

For select performances, UCB students can purchase $15 tickets beginning an hour before the performance at the Cal Performances Ticket Office. (Cash only; student ID required for purchase.)

To find out if rush tickets will be available for a particular show, join our “UCB Student Discounts” Instagram Channel or call 510.642.9988 beginning three hours prior to the performance.

More Ways to Get Involved

Want to get deeper into the programming and the community at Cal Performances?

An image depicting the words: UCB Student Rush

All UCB student ticket-holders and their guests are invited to four post-performance receptions each season featuring free light refreshments, served on the Zellerbach Hall Mezzanine (second floor)! These receptions celebrate the UC Berkeley students in our audience and provide a space to connect with other students who share a love for live performance. An RSVP is not required; simply secure a ticket to that day’s performance (see student ticket discount options above).

2026–27 Receptions

The Australian Ballet: Oscar© by Christopher Wheeldon: Sat, Sep 26
Chancellor’s Night*: The Complete Philip Glass Etudes: Fri, Nov 20
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Fri, Feb 19
Vienna Philharmonic: Wed, Mar 3

An RSVP is not required; simply secure a ticket to that day’s performance (See student ticket discount options above.).

*More on Chancellor’s Night
Join UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and performers after the concert for a reception celebrating the hypnotic world of Philip Glass’ piano etudes! As an arts lover, amateur guitarist, and vocalist, Chancellor Lyons is excited to get to know Cal Performances’ student attendees and engage with the performers alongside you all. This reception is all the fun (and refreshments) of our usual student receptions, with the added excitement of visits from a few very special guests!

An image depicting the words: Become a UCB Student Worker

Cal Performances employs student workers in a variety of departments, including the ticket office, front-of-house, marketing and communications, and education! All work is paid and part-time, and open to all currently enrolled students, including those participating in work study programs. Additional benefits of working at Cal Performances include:

  • Enjoying free access to the world’s finest music, dance, and theater performances
  • Gaining experience and insight into what it takes to present live performances of the highest caliber
  • Joining a community of other students and staff with your shared interests
  • Developing transferable skills and growing your responsibilities over time
  • Work hours are flexible and typically align with UC Berkeley’s academic year.

See current student job openings

An image depicting the words: Become a UCB Student Volunteer

Want to be part of the magic, but need a bit more flexibility with scheduling? Cal Performances relies on the generosity of more than 200 volunteers each season to serve as ushers at all of our performances. Volunteer for as many performances as you’d like and gain free entrance to see world-class talent while you’re already onsite!

Find more information about volunteer openings

An image depicting the words: Learn with Illuminations

Cal Performances’ Illuminations—a series of performances, lectures, and conversations—connects extraordinary artistry with groundbreaking scholarship to explore pressing topics of today. You may even see your professors onstage!

The 2026–27 season explores “Innocence & Experience” as intertwined forces that transform one another and influence our understanding of the world. Join us for poignant stories—youthful idealism facing power, beauty shadowed by vulnerability, bodies carrying the weight of history—and walk away with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our humanity.

Learn more about Illuminations “Innocence & Experience”

Lead support for the Golden Bear Circle is provided by the Koret Foundation.

Koret Foundation logo