Puppetopia 2026 is a two-week winter puppetry festival curated by HERE co-founder Barbara Busackino and Dream Music Puppetry Artistic Director Basil Twist.[1] [3] This annual celebration of imagination and community creation is scheduled to run from February 17 through March 1, 2026, at the HERE Arts Center located at 145 6th Avenue in New York City.[2] [4] The festival features a diverse lineup of performances, including world premieres and award-winning works that utilize intricate puppetry, live music, and innovative storytelling techniques.[1] [3]

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The 2026 edition of the festival highlights three primary productions:

• PARCHED by Official Puppet Business: A world premiere cinematic theatrical experience set in a future where water scarcity has led to human extinction.[1] The story follows a sentient mushroom searching for water in a wasteland, utilizing intricate puppetry and a live band without dialogue.[3] [6]
• RUBY & CHARLIE by Jessica Simon & Co.: An award-winning piece featuring live music that celebrates 1950s swing dance and the music of Ray Charles.[1] The show explores themes of love and heartbreak and concludes with an on-stage swing dance celebration with the audience.[3]
• THE MAGNIFICENT MS. PHAM by Puppetual Motion: Written by Tommy Nguyen, this production is described as the world’s first Vietnamese American water puppet show.[3] It reframes the true story of boatperson Kim Pham’s journey from Saigon to Houston as a Country Western Musical, blending myth, memory, and history.[1] [5]

Performances are held in two spaces within the center: the 99-seat Mainstage and the 74-seat Dorothy B. Williams Theatre.[2] Tickets for the festival range from approximately $35 to $75, with a "Puppet Pass" available for those wishing to attend all three main shows.[1] [2] [7] The festival is presented with support from The Jim Henson Foundation.[1] [6]