SAN FRANCISCO AERIAL ARTS FESTIVAL COWELL SHOWCASE - "THE NEXT GENERATION"

Witness grace, courage, and masterful storytelling as aerial artists transform Fort Mason's waterfront campus into a playground of movement during San Francisco's premier weekend of live aerial arts, vertical dance on film, and site-responsive performance.

August 7–9, 2026

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture

Tickets: $15–$75 | All Ages

Zaccho Dance Theatre and Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture proudly present the Seventh Biennial San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival, a three-day celebration of contemporary aerial dance, circus arts, and site-responsive performance.

Experience breathtaking performances from internationally recognized aerial artists alongside the next generation of innovative performers. Set against the spectacular waterfront backdrop of Fort Mason, the festival transforms theaters, galleries, and public spaces into stages where artists defy gravity and reimagine what movement-storytelling can be.

From large-scale theatrical works and intimate experimental performances to youth showcases and site-responsive installations, the San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full spectrum of aerial arts in one incredible weekend.

Cowell Theater | Friday, August 7 & Saturday, August 8 | 8:00 PM

-ASL services provided on Friday only.

-Haptic Tour and Audio Descriptions provided on Saturday only.

An evening of powerful contemporary aerial performance featuring acclaimed artists Amelia Rudolph, Darielle Williams, Nina Sawant, Ron Oppenheimer, Cirque Vida, and Joey the Tiger. Expect daring physicality, innovative apparatus work, and embodied storytelling.

Cowell Theater | Saturday, August 8 | 1:00 PM

A family-friendly matinee celebrating emerging youth performers from Zaccho Youth Company, San Francisco Youth Circus, Circus Mecca, Kinetic Arts, People's Circus Theatre, and Ashland Aerial Arts.

Gateway Pavilion | Saturday, August 8 | 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Gateway Pavilion ｜Sunday, August 9 ｜2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

Two newly commissioned site-responsive works by Veronica Blair and Megan Lowe Dances featuring Megan Lowe and Roel Seeber. These immersive performances activate Fort Mason's architecture and landscape, inviting audiences to experience aerial dance in unexpected ways.

Gallery Performance Space | Sunday, August 9 | 7:00 PM

An intimate showcase of emerging and experimental work featuring Katherine Hutchinson, clarissa dyas & B Dean, Ciarra D'Onofrio, Anna Yanushkevic, Kelsey na Gealai, and Azraa Muhammad.

Returning for its second season, the San Francisco Aerial Arts Film Festival presents a curated collection of films from artists around the world exploring movement, flight, architecture, and imagination. Film screenings are free and run alongside the live festival programming throughout the weekend.

Whether you're a longtime fan of aerial arts or discovering the form for the first time, the San Francisco Aerial Arts Festival offers a weekend of awe-inspiring artistry, athleticism, filmmaking, and creative possibilities.

For more information, visit www.sfaerialartsfest.org.

All ticket sales are final. No refunds.

Venue Information

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | pier 2

2 Marina Boulevard

San Francisco, CA 94123

Paid parking is available onsite.