Las Cruces UkeFest returns May 29–31, 2026, to New Mexico State University (NMSU) for three days of workshops, concerts, and jam sessions, an event proudly sponsored by Hutton Broadcasting. Players of all levels can attend classes, perform at open mics, shop the marketplace, and connect with ukulele enthusiasts from across the country.
What Is Las Cruces UkeFest?
Las Cruces UkeFest is an annual ukulele festival held in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The event includes a professional concert, skill-based workshops, a group jam session, open mics, a catered lunch, and a ukulele marketplace with a swap meet for registered attendees.
Ukulele festivals take place worldwide and offer structured learning during the day and performances at night. Attendees study technique, songwriting, rhythm, and repertoire, then apply what they learn in collaborative jam sessions.
What Can You Expect at a Ukulele Festival?
Most festivals follow a simple format:
- A featured concert by professional performers
- Multiple workshop tracks for different skill levels
- Open mic sessions
- Group jam sessions
- Vendor marketplace and instrument sales
Audiences are often surprised by the range of music performed on ukulele. While the instrument has Hawaiian roots, players perform folk, rock, pop, blues, and even classical arrangements. Artists such as Jake Shimabukuro have demonstrated the versatility of this four-string instrument.
Recap: Las Cruces UkeFest combines structured instruction, live performance, and social playing in one weekend.
When and Where Is Las Cruces UkeFest 2026?
Las Cruces UkeFest 2026 takes place May 29–31, 2026, at NMSU.
- Friday concert: Atkinson Recital Hall in the NMSU Music Building’s Atkinson Recital Hall
- Saturday and Sunday activities: Third floor of the Corbett Center Student Union
Holding the event on campus keeps workshops, jams, and vendors in one central location.
Who Are the Instructors for 2026?
Las Cruces UkeFest 2026 lists these featured instructors and leaders:
- Stu Fuchs: A teaching artist known for combining mindfulness with “Ukulele Zen” style instruction.
- Amy Kucharik: An award-winning singer-songwriter who performs as a one-woman band using ukulele (plus other instruments) and teaches at festivals and events.
- Victoria “Viggy” Kolasinski: A ukulele teaching artist who built a large following after sharing ukulele content online, especially during and after the pandemic.
- Sho Humphries: A Berklee College of Music alum and International Ukulele Contest winner, performing and releasing originals and covers.
How Much Does Las Cruces UkeFest Cost?
Early bird registration is $195 through March 31. After that date, regular registration is $225. Special pricing is available for full-time students.
Registration includes:
- Several workshops
- Friday night concert
- Catered Saturday lunch
- Access to open mics and jam sessions
- Entry to the ukulele marketplace and swap meet
Advance registration is highly recommended. Register online at the website. Online registration closes May 15 at 7 p.m.
Can I Attend Just the Concert?
Yes. The Las Cruces UkeFest concert is open to the public.
The Friday night concert begins at 7 p.m. on May 29, 2026, at Atkinson Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Children aged 12 and younger attend free with a paid adult.
This option allows non-players to enjoy the music without registering for the full weekend.
Are Ukulele Festivals Good for Beginners?
Yes. Las Cruces UkeFest includes beginner-level workshops at every session.
Workshops at Las Cruces UkeFest go far beyond the basics to offer sessions that are both fun and musically enriching for players at every level. Alongside foundational topics like song arranging, rhythm development, fingerpicking, and fretboard navigation, this year’s lineup includes creative classes with unique twists.
- Kung Fu Pinkie! focuses on strengthening the little finger and expanding four-finger chord shapes, helping players add smoother transitions and more expressive embellishments to their playing.
- Uke-a-Billy explores rockabilly rhythms and classic licks inspired by artists such as Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, and The Beatles, giving players a chance to experiment with energetic strumming and vintage groove.
- Blues Basics with The Beatles! uses familiar Beatles songs to introduce blues progressions, turnarounds, and soloing techniques in multiple keys, blending recognizable repertoire with foundational blues structure.
- Vaudevillian Ukulele Stunts & Four String Circus Tricks! adds a playful performance element, teaching lighthearted showmanship, musical tricks, and crowd-pleasing flourishes designed to build stage confidence.
Workshops are labeled by level, so beginners through intermediate players can choose sessions that match their experience.
Beginners gain structured instruction, while intermediate and advanced players can focus on technique, performance, or arrangement skills.
Why Do People Own More Than One Ukulele?
Walk through the marketplace at Las Cruces UkeFest, and you’ll quickly see that not all ukuleles are the same. Body size, tuning, tone, and even shape all play a role in how the instrument feels and sounds.
Ukuleles come in four primary sizes:
- Soprano
- Concert
- Tenor
- Baritone
Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles are typically tuned G-C-E-A, the bright, familiar sound most people associate with the instrument. Baritone ukuleles are tuned D-G-B-E, matching the highest four strings of a guitar. That tuning gives baritones a deeper, warmer tone and makes them especially appealing to guitar players transitioning to ukulele.
Beyond the standard sizes, many players branch into specialty instruments that expand the sound and style possibilities. These often include:
- Bass ukuleles
- Resonator ukuleles
- Banjo ukes
- Pineapple-shaped bodies
- Electric ukuleles with built-in pickups
It doesn’t take long for one instrument to turn into several. Within the ukulele community, the running joke is that once you have one, you’ll develop UAS, short for Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome. The festival swap meet gives registered attendees a place to lean into that enthusiasm, offering a structured space to buy, sell, and trade instruments with other players who appreciate the differences just as much as they do.
What Is Included in the Ukulele Marketplace?
The marketplace features vendors selling instruments, accessories, and related products. Attendees can browse cases, strings, straps, music books, and handcrafted ukuleles. The marketplace combines retail vendors and peer-to-peer sales in one space.
The swap meet allows participants to sell instruments they no longer use. It provides a practical way for players to upgrade or try different sizes and models. This year, the marketplace will feature a variety of instruments owned by late Las Cruces Ukes member Ted Powers, who willed his vast collection to Mesilla Valley Hospice. You can buy a new-to-you ukulele and support the services of Mesilla Valley Hospice at the same time.
Note: The marketplace and swap meet are open only to registered attendees.
Why Attend Las Cruces UkeFest?
Las Cruces UkeFest offers:
- Structured learning from experienced instructors
- Live performance in a recital hall setting
- Community playing with musicians from across the country
- Affordable pricing compared to many national festivals
- A centralized campus location
For many participants, the event combines skill-building and community connection in one weekend.
Las Cruces UkeFest 2026, sponsored by Hutton Broadcasting, offers an affordable, structured, and welcoming weekend for ukulele players and music fans. Register early to secure discounted pricing, or attend the Friday concert to experience the music firsthand.
FAQs About Las Cruces UkeFest
What is Las Cruces UkeFest?
Las Cruces UkeFest is a three-day ukulele festival held at NMSU each spring. The event combines live performance, music education, and community into one weekend experience. Attendees can take part in instructional workshops, a group jam session, open mic performances, and a vendor marketplace featuring instruments and accessories. The festival also includes a public concert on Friday night. Players travel from across New Mexico and other states to attend, making it both a learning opportunity and a gathering for the broader ukulele community.
Do I need to play ukulele to attend?
You do not need to be an experienced player to attend. Las Cruces UkeFest offers workshops designed for a range of skill levels, including true beginners who are still learning basic chords and strumming patterns. It helps to have some familiarity with the instrument if you plan to attend workshops, but there are entry-level sessions built specifically for newer players. In addition, the Friday night concert is open to the general public. Anyone can purchase a $10 ticket, and children 12 and younger are admitted free with an adult, making it accessible even for those who do not play.
What is included with full festival registration?
Full festival registration provides access to the entire weekend experience. That includes admission to the Friday night concert, entry to all scheduled workshops, participation in organized jam sessions, and opportunities to perform during open mic events. Registration also covers the catered lunch served on Saturday, which allows attendees to remain on site between sessions. Rather than purchasing tickets for individual components, full registration provides participants with continuous access to structured programming and informal playing opportunities throughout the three-day event.
How many workshops are included with registration?
Full registration includes access to several workshops offered across the weekend schedule. Workshops are organized into time slots, and each slot typically offers three class options. This structure allows attendees to choose sessions based on their skill level, musical interests, or specific techniques they want to develop. Topics often range from foundational skills and rhythm practice to specialty repertoire and performance techniques. Because attendees select one workshop per time slot, they can tailor their weekend to fit their personal learning goals.
Is the ukulele marketplace open to the public?
No. The marketplace and swap meet are limited to registered festival participants. Vendors set up booths featuring ukuleles, accessories, music books, and related merchandise, and attendees can buy or sell instruments to fellow participants. Access is restricted to maintain a manageable environment for shoppers and sellers and to ensure that registered participants receive full value from their weekend pass. The only portion of the festival open to the general public without full registration is the Friday night concert.
What makes Las Cruces UkeFest different from other ukulele festivals?
Las Cruces UkeFest emphasizes participation over performance. While the Friday night concert highlights featured instructors, the core of the weekend centers on workshops, jam sessions, and shared learning. Class sizes are manageable, instructors are approachable, and the schedule is designed to give attendees multiple chances to play alongside others. Because the event is hosted at NMSU, workshops and activities are held in close proximity, which keeps the weekend cohesive and easy to navigate. The result is a festival atmosphere that feels interactive and accessible rather than spectator-focused, appealing to players who want to actively improve and connect.
What can I expect the weekend to feel like?
The weekend blends structured instruction with informal music-making. Mornings and afternoons are organized into workshop blocks, each offering multiple class options. Between sessions, it’s common to see small groups gathering in hallways or outdoor spaces to practice songs introduced in class. Mealtimes and breaks create natural opportunities to meet other players, compare instruments, and share repertoire ideas. The pace is steady but not rushed, and the overall tone is welcoming. For many attendees, the experience feels less like a formal conference and more like a fun and focused musical retreat.
I’m new to ukulele. Is this festival really for me?
Yes. Las Cruces UkeFest includes entry-level workshops designed for players still learning basic chords, strumming patterns, and rhythm skills. Instructors typically break concepts into clear, manageable steps and provide chord charts or handouts to follow along. You do not need to perform publicly unless you choose to participate in an open mic. Many first-time attendees report that learning in a group setting helps build confidence more quickly than practicing alone. If you know a few simple chords and are willing to try, you will find sessions that match your experience level while still leaving room to grow.
Posted by LasCruces.com
