Find shadow events
Discover festivals, performances, workshops, and annual observance days connected to shadow puppetry.
Links to public organizer listings. Confirm details before making plans.
In-person times use the venue's local time zone. Online listings also show your local time when it differs.
Shadow Pals curates links to public event pages to help the community connect. Dates, availability, and prices can change, so confirm details directly with the organizer before making plans or purchasing tickets.
Last updated: August 2, 2026
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June 1 – December 31, 2026 · Opening reception
Exhibition featuring a world-class collection of Asian shadow puppets gifted by theatre scholars, alongside puppets from the University of Hawaii.
At home
Annual moments to learn, make, and share shadow stories.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · All day
Shadow puppetry is UNESCO-protected world heritage
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · All day
Before cartoons, there were shadows — the original animation
Saturday, October 31, 2026 · All day
Make your own haunted shadow puppet show
Saturday, November 7, 2026 · All day
One thousand years of Indonesian shadow puppetry
Monday, December 21, 2026 · All day
The darkest day of the year — grab a flashlight and make some shadows
Past listings stay visible so seasonal and annual pages remain useful after the date passes.
Saturday, July 25, 2026 · 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Victoria University of Wellington hosts a Mandarin Corner session with a live demonstration of traditional Chinese shadow puppetry, cultural context, and a puppet-making activity.
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July 17–19, 2026 · Festival schedule varies
Indonesia Travel lists Rafflesia Kemumu Festival programming with all-night wayang kulit performances alongside traditional dance, rituals, art, music, and local cultural activities.
Saturday, June 20, 2026 · 3:00 PM
A free family workshop for ages 6-12 where children watch a shadow show, learn about light and projected silhouettes, then build characters, scenery, and a mini shadow theatre.
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June 5–28, 2026 · June 5-28; opening reception June 5
New York State Puppet Festival presents a free Manual Cinema exhibition exploring the shadow-puppetry company's history, techniques, and storytelling magic.
Thursday, June 11, 2026 · All day
Play does not need a screen — just a light
Saturday, May 16, 2026 · All day
No shadow without light
Monday, May 4, 2026 · All day
Learn it on the app, then put the phone down and perform
Saturday, April 25, 2026 · All day
America's day to celebrate the art of puppetry
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · All day
Leonardo studied light and shadow — celebrate art with your hands
Friday, March 27, 2026 · All day
Shadow puppets — the world's first theater
Saturday, March 21, 2026 · All day
The biggest day in puppetry, worldwide
Friday, March 20, 2026 · All day
Tell a story with nothing but shadows
Monday, February 2, 2026 · All day
America's shadow day