Photo Credit: Mack Male / CC by 2.0
A core group of artists and ensembles remains scheduled at the now-Trump Kennedy Center amid a wave of politically charged cancellations.
The Kennedy Center’s performance calendar might seem comparatively sparse amid a wave of cancellations and quiet withdrawals that dramatically reshaped its year. But a core group of artists and ensembles remain publicly scheduled to perform. So who is still willing—or able—to play gigs at one of the country’s most prominent cultural institutions during such a volatile moment in history?
Unsurprisingly, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) remains the backbone of the 2026 calendar, with a robust slate of shows still on the official venue website (not the South Park ex-writer spoof site). Programs under music director Gianandrea Noseda and guest conductors like Simone Young, Enrico Lopez-Yañez, and Thomas Wilkins continue to anchor the performance schedule in January and February. These shows feature both standard repertoire and crossover fare.
Beyond the resident orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic will return to the performing arts center in March, while April and May see more guest conductors from the NSO. Other performances scheduled include those from the Washington National Opera, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Shen Yun, and Chicago (the musical, not the band).
Pop and variety acts include R&B star Tyrese confirmed for March 21, with “hundreds of tickets” still available. Singer-songwriter Ben Rector is still slated for multiple nights, and bluegrass act The Gibson Brothers will play on January 17. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe headlines May 2, while opera soprano Renee Fleming—despite resigning her advisory role—remains scheduled for a May performance.
The pared-down slate contrasts sharply with those that have either bailed since late 2025, or were not welcome to return under the new leadership (like drag queen performances). Hamilton’s spring run was nixed, and artists like country singer Kristy Lee, jazz group The Cookers, and dancer Doug Varone have all cancelled appearances. Others like the Washington National Opera’s Stephen Schwartz, and artists like Rhiannon Giddens, Issa Rae, Low Cut Connie, and Balún have all cited the Center’s new direction when announcing their decisions to bow out.
It’s worth pointing out that bigger productions and ensembles are likely much harder to cancel than one-off groups and small outfits that can more easily bail when the tides change. The names listed on the official calendar could still shift before the curtain rises, highlighting the shaky ground on which the Kennedy Center’s new direction has placed it.
