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SAMAFest 2026 - 39th Philippine Cultural Arts Festival
The SAMAHAN Filipino American Performance Arts & Education Center will present its 39th annual Philippine Cultural Arts Festival on the Presidents Way Lawn along Park Boulevard in Balboa Park at 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 22 and on Sunday, August 23. Admission is FREE. This beloved community Festival is made possible through generous grant funding from the Dr. Lolita D. Carter Endowment administered by the San Diego Foundation, support from the County of San Diego Supv. District 4, Community Enhancement Program, and contributions from individual donors.
Dubbed SamaFest 2026, the festival is a family-oriented celebration centered on cultural heritage, vibrant entertainment and meaningful networking. Held at a strategic, accessible location in Balboa Park, the festival has consistently attracted a large and diverse crowd of park visitors over the years. It offers San Diego locals as well as tourists a welcoming opportunity to discover and appreciate Philippine culture and performing arts through traditional dances and live music.
This two-day event showcases vibrant folk and ethnic dances from various regions of the Philippines, performed by the graceful dancers of SAMAHAN Arts and accompanied by the lively sounds of the SAMAHAN Rondalla, Kulintang and Gangsa (gong) Music Ensembles. Each dance and ethnic ritual is brought to life with colorful, beautifully crafted traditional and regional attire, specially worn for each performance.
The festivities also feature mainstream entertainment, including contemporary dance numbers, vocal acts by local guest artists, and thrilling martial arts demonstrations. Adding to the experience are visual art displays by local creators, vendors selling handmade crafts, books, and unique goods, along with a mouthwatering selection of Filipino and Asian fusion dishes and desserts, including the ever-popular halo-halo.