SANFORD — Looking for a reason to get out of the house, shake off the routine and experience something memorable? Sanford Performing Arts Center has you covered.
Now entering its eighth exciting season on stage, SPAC’s Partners Bank Spotlight Series brings an eclectic lineup of touring performers from Maine, across the country and around the world to Sanford. From comedy and Broadway favorites to powerhouse tribute shows, dance, classical music and concerts that just might have you singing all the way home, there’s a little something for everyone this season.
And with performances stretching from September through July, SPAC offers plenty of reasons to make a night of it — especially during those long Maine months when a great show can be just the thing to brighten the calendar.
“I love that Sanford Performing Arts Center becomes the town square for southern Maine,” said SPAC Director Brett Williams. “We all come together in the darker, colder months, when the weather's not so great, and the energy in the lobby (and then the theater) is just electric! Everyone gathers, enjoys an amazing shared experience, and then goes back out into the world refreshed and recharged and ready to face life again.”
SPAC’s 2026-27 season is full of incredible performers and performances from around the country and around the world. “I think that people are going to be blown away by the caliber of talent that we have on our stage,” said Williams. “I am always thrilled that people leave our theater and say, I can't believe I just saw this in SANFORD, Maine!”
Best of all to many, live entertainment is as affordable at Sanford Performing Arts Center as it can be. “In addition to keeping ticket prices affordable for every show, we also have low ticket fees, which is rare in this industry,” Williams said. “One of the things we pride ourselves on is bringing these acts at an affordable price because in this day and age, the price of everything has gone up and what we try to do is keep ticket prices affordable.”
The 2026–2027 Partners Bank Spotlight Series features 18 shows, including:
THE UMBILICAL BROTHERS: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. Internationally acclaimed Australian comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers bring their hilarious mix of physical comedy, vocal sound effects and rapid-fire verbal interplay to the SPAC stage. Tickets: $38-$58. Link
MICHAEL JACKSON HIStory SHOW: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. The music, moves, and magic of Michael Jackson come alive in a spectacular live tribute featuring a full band, dancers, authentic costumes and hits spanning the King of Pop's legendary career. Tickets: $44-$67. Link
MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Direct from London's West End, the world's leading ABBA tribute recreates the music, glamour and infectious energy of the iconic Swedish pop group. Tickets: $30-$60. Link
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The hilarious musical phenomenon celebrates women and “The Change” with a laughter filled 90-minute production featuring clever parodies of classic pop songs from the '60s, '70s and '80s. Tickets: $39-$75. Link
HOLIDAY POPS! WITH STRAFFORD WIND SYMPHONY: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026. Celebrate the season with 55 talented musicians performing beloved Christmas classics, joyful seasonal favorites and a festive audience sing-along. Tickets: $16-$24. Link
PORTLAND BALLET'S A VICTORIAN NUTCRACKER: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Portland Ballet brings its uniquely Maine interpretation of The Nutcracker to life with breathtaking choreography, Tchaikovsky's beloved score, period costumes and enchanting scenery. Tickets: $39-$59. Link
TONY DANZA: A TONY DANZA CHRISTMAS: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Beloved entertainer Tony Danza brings his Hollywood charm to SPAC for a warm and entertaining evening of holiday classics, Great American Songbook standards, personal stories, comedy and even a little tap dancing. Tickets: $54-$79. Link
BACK TO THE EIGHTIES WITH JESSIE'S GIRL: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. Ring in 2027 with America's premier '80s tribute act and a high-energy New Year's Eve party packed with hits from Journey, Madonna, Prince, Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and more. Tickets: $46-$66. Link
NATURALLY 7: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2027. Seven extraordinary performers use nothing but their voices to create the sounds of drums, guitars, horns, bass and more in an astonishing blend of R&B, pop, soul, gospel and jazz. Tickets: $43-$63. Link
DaPONTE STRING QUARTET: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, 2027. Maine's acclaimed DaPonte String Quartet brings world-class chamber music, exceptional artistry and passionate performance to the SPAC stage. Tickets: $33-$37. Link
NEIL BERG'S 103 YEARS OF BROADWAY: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027. Broadway stars join award-winning composer and producer Neil Berg for a thrilling journey through more than a century of the greatest songs from the Great White Way. Tickets: $39-$63. Link
COUNTRY LIVE!: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027. The music of Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan comes together in one high-energy concert packed with the hits and excitement of modern country music. Tickets: $39-$63. Link
THE STEP CREW: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2027. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with flying feet, blazing fiddles and an exhilarating fusion of Irish stepdance, Ottawa Valley stepdancing, tap and live Celtic music. Tickets: $39-$65. Link
TAYLOR SIMON KING — A TRIBUTE TO JAMES TAYLOR, CARLY SIMON & CAROLE KING: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2027. Three exceptional vocalists and a six-piece band celebrate the timeless music and stories of James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King in a nostalgic, hit-filled concert. Tickets: $42-$67. Link
JEEYOON KIM: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 11, 2027. Award-winning pianist Jeeyoon Kim combines breathtaking classical music with heartfelt storytelling to create an intimate, accessible and deeply personal concert experience. Tickets: $32-$40. Link
JUSTON McKINNEY: 7 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2027. New England favorite Juston McKinney turns family, marriage, parenting, aging and everyday life in Maine and New Hampshire into an evening of laugh-out-loud comedy. Tickets: $26-$42. Link
ALL-AMERICAN POPS! WITH CASCO BAY WIND SYMPHONY: 7 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2027. Kick off Independence Day weekend with a star-spangled concert of iconic marches, beloved American classics and patriotic favorites performed by the Casco Bay Wind Symphony. Tickets: $16-$24. Link
FRONTIERS — THE WORLD'S #1 TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY: 7 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2027. Relive Journey's greatest hits — including “Don't Stop Believin',” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms” and “Any Way You Want It” — with a tribute band praised by Journey legends Steve Perry and Neal Schon. Tickets: $30-$52. Link
On stage this season from the Sanford High School Theater Company are two shows:
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov.14; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. Sanford High School Theater Company presents the wildly imaginative and hilarious Tony Award-winning origin story of Peter Pan, filled with pirates, adventure and theatrical magic. Tickets: Adults $17; seniors $13; students free. Link
THE ADDAMS FAMILY: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25; 7 p.m. Friday, March 26; and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2027. Sanford High School Theater Company brings everyone's favorite creepy and kooky family to life in a hilarious musical comedy packed with big songs, memorable characters and wonderfully spooky surprises. Tickets: Adults $17; seniors $13; students free. Link
For information, visit sanfordpac.org or call the box office at (207) 206-1126, or visit in person Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.