The enthusiasm for the Shen Yun performance in New York City in 2026 has reached a fever pitch. On April 12, the final show at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center sold tickets at a rate of 103%, prompting the theater to open up additional seats that were initially not planned for sale. These extra seats were quickly snapped up, leaving many disappointed audience members unable to witness the spectacle. For viewers in the greater New York area, the Shen Yun performances in late April to early May in New Jersey and Connecticut are a must-see opportunity for the year.
Shen Yun will take the stage at the New Jersey State Theatre in New Brunswick from April 24 to 26 for four shows. Following that, they will perform six shows at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark from April 29 to May 3, and conclude with five shows at the Palace Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut from May 7 to 10.
The Shen Yun performance has received widespread praise for its top-notch artistic quality. Combining elements of classical Chinese dance, narrative dance pieces, live accompaniment by a symphony orchestra, and high-tech dynamic backdrops, the show presents the rich cultural heritage of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Many audience members have expressed being “overwhelmed,” “moved,” and experiencing a level of artistry beyond their expectations. They have also expressed regret for not coming to see the show sooner and vowed to attend every year in the future.
Sebastien Winsor, a macro trader and risk manager at a major Wall Street investment bank, attended the premiere Shen Yun performance at the David Koch Theater in New York City on March 25 and praised the overall performance as “excellent,” strongly recommending it to others. His wife expressed regret for missing last year’s performance and expressed the desire to attend every year from now on.
Shanghai-based entrepreneur Hu Liren also shared his regret for not watching Shen Yun earlier, calling it an “epic masterpiece,” and vowing to make it a yearly tradition to attend the performances.
Shen Yun’s performances in New Jersey have received accolades and congratulations from various levels of government officials, including New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who sent a congratulatory letter commending the Shen Yun artistic troupe for providing New Jersey residents with the rare opportunity to appreciate this outstanding cultural performance, stating that Shen Yun has become an indispensable part of the thriving performing arts community in New Jersey.
In addition, the New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari passed a resolution welcoming the Shen Yun artistic troupe and bringing their outstanding cultural, musical, and dance performances back to audiences in New Jersey.
Furthermore, New Jersey federal Congressmen Jefferson Van Drew and LaMonica McIver issued commendations or congratulatory messages, expressing anticipation for voters and all audiences to experience such an educational and inspiring performance.
New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka both extended letters of welcome, encouraging residents to seize the opportunity to witness the splendor of Shen Yun and share in an unforgettable artistic experience.
Additionally, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons announced that May 7-10, 2026, would mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Shen Yun artistic troupe, recognizing their outstanding contributions to art and culture and encouraging all residents to participate in this extraordinary cultural experience.
As the performance dates draw near, tickets at the New Jersey State Theatre are running low, and tickets for the Newark and Stamford performances continue to sell quickly. The organizers remind interested audience members to purchase tickets early to avoid missing out on this year’s performances.
Here is the schedule of performances and locations:
New Jersey State Theatre: April 24 (Friday) at 7 pm; April 25 (Saturday) at 1 pm and 6 pm; April 26 (Sunday) at 1 pm.
Location: 15 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick, NY 08901.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJ PAC): April 29 (Wednesday) at 2 pm; April 30 (Thursday) at 2 pm; May 1 (Friday) at 7 pm; May 2 (Saturday) at 1 pm and 6 pm; May 3 (Sunday) at 1 pm.
Location: 1 Center St. Newark, NJ 07102.
The Palace Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut: May 7 (Thursday) at 2 pm; May 8 (Friday) at 7 pm; May 9 (Saturday) at 1 pm and 6 pm; May 10 (Sunday) at 1 pm.
Location: 61 Atlantic St. Stamford, CT 06901.
Among these locations, Newark, New Jersey, and Stamford, Connecticut, are closer to New York City with convenient transportation. Departing from Manhattan’s Penn Station, a 20-minute train ride will take you to Newark’s Penn Station, followed by a 10-minute walk to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center theater.
Stamford, Connecticut, is a residential area for many professionals working in New York City, approximately 30 miles from Manhattan. It is less than an hour’s drive from Manhattan or accessible via Amtrak or Metro-North trains.
For tickets and more information, visit the Shen Yun website at shenyun.com/NY or call the ticket hotline at 888-907-4697.