The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts’ eighth season kicks off in September 2026 with a special gala concert featuring Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer Cynthia Erivo alongside the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. The season concludes in April 2027 with appearances by internationally acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell, Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz and Friends, and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Gianandrea Noseda.

Other season highlights include genre-blending New Orleans powerhouse Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and six-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy. Broadway continues to play a central role this season with touring productions of “Waitress” and the Tony Award-winning comedy, “Shucked,” as well as a special performance, “An Evening with Joshua Henry: Get Up, Stand Up!”

Seasonal highlights include “NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet” and a holiday performance by LeAnn Rimes, bringing festive programming to Stillwater audiences. The Marsalis-McAllister-Ames Trio will offer a dynamic fusion of jazz and classical performance, while composer Stephen Schwartz celebrates five decades of iconic music from “Wicked,” “Pippin,” and more. Rounding out the season, the National Symphony Orchestra will return for two programs featuring a range of classical masterworks.

All performances are presented in the center’s intimately sized Performance Hall, which seats 1,098. No seat is more than 100 feet from the stage, giving the audience an up-close-and-personal experience with artists who typically perform in much larger venues.

Concertgoers are invited to enhance their experience at The McKnight Center by arriving early for certain concerts. Most classical music programs include Preludes, the center’s free pre-concert conversations with visiting artists. Guests can gain insight into the music and artists, deepening their enjoyment of the concert.

For more information about events and tickets, visit McKnightCenter.org or contact the box office at 405-744-9999.

The 2026–27 season at The McKnight Center consists of:

• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue — Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
• Cynthia Erivo with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic (Gala) — Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at 6 p.m.
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band — Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
• “NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet” — Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, at 3 p.m.
• “Waitress” — Tuesday, Dec. 1, Wednesday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
• LeAnn Rimes Greatest Hits Christmas — Thursday, Dec. 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
• “Shucked” — Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027, at 3 p.m.
• “An Evening with Joshua Henry: Get Up, Stand Up!” — Friday, Feb. 12, 2027, at 7:30 p.m.
• Marsalis-McAllister-Ames Trio — Friday, Feb. 26, 2027, at 7:30 p.m.
• Samara Joy — Saturday, March 6, 2027, at 7:30 p.m.
• Joshua Bell — Thursday, April 8, 2027, at 7:30 p.m.
• Stephen Schwartz and Friends — Friday, April 16, 2027, at 7:30 p.m.
• The National Symphony Orchestra — Saturday, April 24, 2027, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 25, 2027, at 3 p.m.

Movie Night at the McKnight is also back this year with $5 tickets for movies in the acclaimed Performance Hall and free tickets for nights to watch at the big screen on the plaza.

Movie Night at the McKnight — Plaza (Free Admission):

• “Sing 2” (2021) — Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at 7:45 p.m.
• “Inside Out 2” (2024) — Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at 7:45 p.m.
• “Zootopia 2” (2025) — Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 7:45 p.m.
• “WALL-E” (2008) — Thursday, April 22, 2027, at 7 p.m.

Movie Night at the McKnight — Performance Hall ($5 Tickets):

• “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) — Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at 7 p.m.
• “La La Land” (2016) — Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2027, at 7 p.m.