Big name acts include Bob Dylan at the convention center
From Dylan to dog shows, there won’t be a lack of 2026 entertainment options in Abilene. We’ve put together a list that will take you through to the summer and even a little beyond.
Local theater
Abilene High School steps up with “Bring it On: The Musical” featuring music by Lin Manuel-Miranda, Tom Kitt and Amanda Green. Showtimes are Jan. 22-24 at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Jan. 25.
Faerie tales take centerstage when Cooper High School Theatre performs Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical, “Into the Woods!” Jan. 30-31 in the Cooper auditorium. Showtimes are 7 p.m. both days, with a 2 p.m. matinee also on Jan. 31.
He’s not an animal. He’s “The Elephant Man.” The award-winning drama will be performed by Abilene Community Theatre Feb. 20-March 1.
Two sweet elderly ladies assist the men they meet in shuffling off this mortal coil in “Arsenic and Old Lace” at ACT April 17-26.
Master your moods at ACT’s “Waiting for Godot” this spring. ACT performs Samuel Beckett’s play May 1-10.
Judas goes to trial during ACT’s “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” June 19-28.
Is it random to hold a play at a book store? Find out when Abilene Christian University Theatre presents “This Random World” at Seven and One Books Feb. 8.
Bring a date for ACU’s winter musical, “Violet,” Feb. 19-22 at Fulks Theatre.
Flash back to middle school as hilarity and angst intertwine for ACU’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” April 23-26 at the Fulks Theatre.
Quick, to the balcony! McMurry University’s performance of “Romeo and Juliet” Feb. 26-28 is an abridged version of Shakespeare’s play that “preserves the poetry of the original as it tells the tale of Juliet and her Romeo with speed and clarity,” organizers said.
Family, love and resilience take hold in the Hardin-Simmons University production of “Marvin’s Room” Feb. 12-15 at Van Ellis Theatre.
The regional Christian University Theatre Festival at HSU March 2-4 will feature performances and workshops with students from McMurry, Lubbock Christian and Howard Payne universities at Van Ellis Theatre.
Explore the moment of decision in “Songs for a New World” April 9-10 at Van Ellis Theatre. Jason Robert Brown’s music blends pop, gospel and jazz as a reflection on a life’s pivotal moments.
Upcoming Paramount events
Abilene’s historic Paramount Theatre is bringing a full spectrum of events to the Key City in the first quarter of 2026. Visit ParamountAbilene.com/Events for showtimes and updates.
Dig out your lumpy blue sweater. Jan. 2-3 brings the first movie in the theater’s monthly 2026 Film Series. Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway star in “The Devil Wears Prada.”
“Never do anything by halves,” advises the title character in “Matilda Jr.” arriving Jan. 16-18. The family musical is “a gleefully witty ode to the the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination.”
They’re gonna jam. “Toast: A Tribute to Bread” is presented by Arlington Music Hall on Jan. 29 and features live performances of popular songs from the 1970s soft rock band.
Oh, zap! On Feb. 1, the Children’s Performing Arts Series will present “Jeff Boyer’s Fun with Energy.” Full of (safe) audience participation, Boyer demonstrates “the laws and forces that power our world, showing kids how energy is all around us and why it matters.”
Watch out, those chickens have sharp talons. Yes, “Napoleon Dynamite Live” returns Feb. 5 with a “lively, freewheeling discussion” with namesake cast member Jon Heder, Jon “Uncle Rico” Gries and Efren “Pedro” Ramirez.
Check in and forget about checking out when “Take it to the Limit — A Tribute to the Eagles” arrives Feb. 19.
Relive high school detention Jan. 20-21 when the film series continues with “The Breakfast Club.”
Headbangers arise! That Arena Rock Show hits the stage March 5. Entertainers bring “the ultimate high energy tribute to ‘Classic’ Rock N’ Roll,” performing music from bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Guns N Roses and others.
The next entry in the film series is its own spoonful of sugar. “Mary Poppins” returns March 6-7.
Scenes from a hat to be performed March 9 when “Whose Live Anyway?” arrives with performers from the similarly-named television show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” featuring often-hilarious improv comedy.
The Paramount will continue to rock you when “Bohemian Queen” arrives to perform songs from the iconic band March 14.
Mama tried, and she’s back March 19. “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show” arrives March 19.
He promises to be good, but it’s easy for little monkeys to forget. “Curious George: The Golden Meatball” is the Children’s Performing Arts Series next installment March 29.
Abilene Convention Center
Over at the Abilene Convention Center, they’ve got their own magic brewing for the first half of 2026.
If you’re still needing a gift, either for someone else or, really, just yourself, check out the Texas Gun & Knife show Jan. 10-11.
Polish up for the Abilene Philharmonic’s first performance of the year Jan. 17 with Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto, performed by guest pianist Asiya Korepanova. Afterward, the Philharmonic performs Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the composer’s final work.
Keep an ear out for “San Antonio Rose” when the Philharmonic presents “Pops II: From the Saddle to the Symphony Hall.” Dave Alexander and his Texas Swing Band will blend jazz, country and swing.
Easter gets real with “The Thorn” March 4. The immersive story of Christ is presented with music, drama, aerial acts and special effects. Because of some intense scenes, the show is recommended for ages 12 and up.
If love is a rebellious bird, you’ll get to see it when “Carmen” is performed March 21 in the convention center’s Abilene Auditorium.
Get the wiggles out when Sesame Street Live presents “Elmo’s Got the Moves” April 18.
You may be shaken, you may be even be stirred when the Philharmonic performs “Pops III: License to Thrill.” The orchestra will cut loose with iconic music from the James Bond film franchise, along with “other spy-worthy classics.”
You say “the pump don’t work ‘cuz the vandals took the handles?” Tell it to the man himself when rock icon Bob Dylan plays the convention center May 1. The “Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour” promises a phone-free event with individual Yondr pouches to be opened after the show.
Other events
The Abilene Spectacular will return Jan. 1-10 for cutting fans at the Taylor County Expo Center, 1700 Texas Highway 36.
Team Sorting and Original Team Roping will be at the Expo Center Jan. 24 and 31, respectively. It will be followed Feb. 4-8 by the South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association and then Lone Star Shoot Out Roping Feb. 12-14.
The Taylor County Livestock Show will be Jan. 14-17 at the Expo Center
X Riders Cup, the international freestyle motocross competition, will be Jan. 17 at the Expo Center.
Texas Farm, Ranch & Wildlife Expo will be held at the Expo Center Feb. 19-20.
Dittos for Kiddos will be Feb. 19-28 in the Expo Center’s Round Building.
The Fur Ball benefiting Rescue the Animals will be Feb. 21 in the Expo Center’s Display building.
The big trucks of the Monster X Tour return to the Expo Center Feb. 28
The Central Texas Gem & Mineral Show returns to the Expo Center Display Building March 13-14.
ZZ Top and a host of other artists will play the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival benefiting the Bend Richey Boys Ranch & Family Program. The festival will be March 20-21 at the Back Porch of Texas, 3350 N. Clack St.
The Texas High School Powerlfiting State Finals return to the Expo Center’s Taylor County Coliseum March 26-28.
The Big Country Master Gardeners Plant sale will be in the Expo Center’s Modern Living Mall April 11-12.
The HERPS Reptile Expo will return to the Expo Center’s Display Building April 17-19.
The Western Heritage Classic will be May 7-10 at the Expo Center.
Abilene Kennel Club Dog Show is set for May 15-17 in the Coliseum at the Expo Center.
The 14th annual Children’s Art and Literacy Festival will be June 11-14 in downtown Abilene. The art of Winnie-the-Pooh will be celebrated in four family-friendly days to honor the original renderings of the characters and the illustrators who drew them.
The West Texas State Traditional & Contemporary Folklorico Competition returns to the Wylie ISD Performing Arts Center June 26-28. Ballet Folklorico groups from across Texas and New Mexico will compete for cash and the title “Best West Texas Ballet Folklorico” in Texas.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.reporternews.com ’
