The Arcades
The Arcades is a student-run music festival at UC San Diego that showcases the wide range of musical talent across campus. Supported by the Department of Music and organized entirely by students, the festival is built to create opportunities for performers of all backgrounds. Meant not just for music majors but for all students to share their work in a live setting.
We describe The Arcades as a “collage of music.” Rather than focusing on a single genre, the festival brings together artists across styles and disciplines, selecting performers based on original work and then shaping each space to support their sound. This approach allows for a diverse and fluid program that reflects the creativity of the student body.
Unlike other campus organizations that prioritize bringing in outside acts, The Arcades is dedicated to highlighting homegrown talent. In doing so, it expands access to performance opportunities on campus while also connecting student artists to the broader San Diego community. The festival is open to all, reinforcing the idea that music and artistic expression extend beyond campus boundaries.
Hosted at the Conrad Prebys Music Center, The Arcades transforms multiple venues into distinct performance environments. The courtyard will feature high-energy bands, while Classroom 136 offers an intimate singer-songwriter setting. The concert hall will host larger ensembles performing classical works, and the recital hall will showcase chamber music. The Experimental Theater will host something for everyone, creating a wide range of experiences within a single event.
Attending The Arcades is designed to feel exploratory. Audiences are encouraged to move between spaces, encountering different sounds and atmospheres throughout the day. With so much happening at once, the festival offers something for everyone while inviting discovery and engagement with new artists and genres.