Through our brilliant events and festivals, you’ll experience the vibrance of the Champaign-Urbana area! Discover something new every day!
Note: Fundraisers, sales, and meetings related to membership-based groups are not included on the calendar.
2026 CU Tango Music Festival
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Tango musicians, dancers, and audiences from across the country
will gather in Champaign-Urbana for the 2026 CU Tango Music Festival
taking place April 16–19. Presented by CU Tango Music,
the four-day festival celebrates Argentine tango through
live music, dance performances, social dancing,
educational programming, and community events hosted
at venues throughout the area.
Throughout the weekend, audiences can experience tango as both
a rich musical tradition and a vibrant, living art form.
Evening concerts, live-music milongas, and late-night social
events invite listeners and dancers alike to immerse themselves
in the sound, movement, and spirit of tango.
Festival Schedule:
Thursday, April 16
Festival Opening: Krannert Uncorked —
Featuring Bandoneon Massacre and guest artists
(5:30–7:00 pm, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts,
Stage 5 Lobby; free)
Friday, April 17
Festival Concert — Featuring an all-contemporary tango program
including recent compositions by festival artists
(7:30 pm, Urbana Dance Company;
tickets available at www.cutangomusic.org/tickets)
Meet and Greet Milonga — Music and social dancing with festival artists
(8:45 pm–12:30 am, Urbana Dance Company;
tickets available at www.cutangomusic.org/tickets)
Saturday, April 18
Tango for All: A Musical Adventure —
A family-friendly concert for kids and audiences of all ages
(3–4 pm, Community Center for the Arts; free)
Tango Music Workshop for Strings and Bass —
Exploring tango music for musicians
(4:30–5:30 pm, Community Center for the Arts; free)
Tango Dance Workshops, Day 1 —
Workshops for tango dancers with dance performers
(1:00–5:15 pm, Urbana Dance Company; tickets available
at www.cutangomusic.org/tickets)
Festival Milonga — Featuring live music and DJ sets,
celebrating dancers and musicians of all levels
(time TBD, Urbana Dance Company;
tickets available at www.cutangomusic.org/tickets)
Sunday, April 19
Práctica, Brunch, and Jam with Mate Tasting —
Social dancing, music-making, and brunch
(10:00 am–12:00 pm, Urbana Dance Company; free)
Tango Dance Workshops, Day 2 —
Workshops for tango dancers with dance performers
(12:30–3:15 pm, Urbana Dance Company;
tickets available at www.cutangomusic.org/tickets)