About the 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.
The two-day event highlights exhilarating folk and ethnic dances from different regions of the Philippines, performed by SAMAHAN Arts' graceful dancers and accompanied by the live sounds of the SAMAHAN RondaIla and Kulintang (gong) Music Ensembles. Each folk dance and ethnic ritual is presented in colorful, beautifully crafted traditional and regional attires that are specially worn for each repertoire. Featured as well will be mainstream entertainment, including contemporary dance pieces, vocal performances by invited local artists, and dynamic martial arts exhibitions. The festival also spotlights visual arts by local creators, vendors offering handmade crafts, books and unique merchandise, and a tempting array of Filipino and Asian fusion food items and desserts, including the beloved halo-halo.