What is the Arcades?

The Arcades, an undergraduate collage of music, is a UCSD student-led music festival seeking to showcase undergraduate talent. Featuring genres ranging from opera to hardcore metal and everything in between, the inaugural edition of The Arcades is an exciting synthesis of the diversity and talent that UCSD’s student population has to offer.

Organized by a team of undergraduate students, the idea for a student-run festival was birthed by Professor Steven Schick, who helms The Arcades Steering Committee. Programming, Administrative Matters, Live Audio and Sound, Marketing as well as Performances will feature undergraduates at the forefront, providing them with the exciting opportunity to showcase their talents at a world-class institution. The Arcades will spotlight 337 individual musicians, 32 distinct instruments and 28 different genres, with many of these performers having their live audience debut at the festival.

Taking place on May 18th 2025, the festival will see the Conrad Prebys Music Center reimagined, and will present over 6 hours of music spanning the entire building. This is a show that is the first of its kind, and is definitely not one to be missed!