The 2025 Festival of the Arts BOCA – the 19th edition of what has become an iconic and much anticipated annual event – invites this year’s patrons to embark on a captivating journey through time with a lineup that celebrates Boca Raton’s 100th anniversary as well as the evolution of art through the decades.
From the nostalgia of classic films to timeless musical performances and historical literary discussions, the festival will transport audiences “back in time.” Events begin Feb. 28 and run through March 9 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater at the north end of Mizner Park.
“This year’s theme allows us to explore a wide range of artistic eras and influences,” said Executive Director Joanna Marie Kaye. “Whether you’re a fan of big band music, classic cinema or contemporary dance, this year’s festival promises something special for everyone. We are really paying tribute to art’s enduring legacy.”
“In a typical year at Festival BOCA, we might premiere one event that has never been seen anywhere else before or that will only be shown at our festival,” added Kaye. “This year, we are premiering three incredible events – and you don’t want to miss any of them — or skip any of the other seven.”
Two of the debut events are the Pavarotti Voices Opera Gala and the Martha Graham Evening of Contemporary Ballet. The festival wraps up March 9 with the third unique experience, a gala celebration of Boca Raton’s centennial, commemorating when the town of Boca Raton was incorporated as a city in 1925.
Festival Highlights:
Dallas Brass (Feb. 28): Kicking off the festival, the world-renowned Dallas Brass ensemble will take the audience on a journey through America’s musical past with their trademark lively and engaging performance. In the grand finale, they will be joined by 100 local high school students for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration, linking the present generation to the past.
Pavarotti Voices Opera Gala (March 1): Travel back to the golden era of opera as rising stars from the prestigious Pavarotti competition perform timeless arias, conducted by Ramón Tebar. Hosted by Nicoletta Mantovani, Luciano Pavarotti’s widow, this concert will celebrate the continued influence of the world’s greatest tenor.
Nestor Torres Presents A NeoDance Story (March 2): Grammy Award-winning jazz flutist Nestor Torres and producer Alfred Friedman bring to life a fusion of Latin dance styles, including tango, salsa and merengue, in a world premiere performance that transcends generations of musical and dance traditions.
Authors & Ideas Series (March 3-6): Look back on history and its lessons with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and satirical novelist Carl Hiaasen. The series also includes Amy Herman’s insightful presentation on how we can use art to improve decision-making and avoid conflict, and a screening of “Life in the Doghouse,” a moving documentary capturing the ongoing legacy of rescue work.
‘Back to the Future’ in Concert (March 7): Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved 1985 classic film, Back to the Future with a special screening accompanied by a live symphony orchestra. The film’s themes of time travel and nostalgia blend with this year’s “back in time” festival, offering a fun and family-friendly event.
An Evening of Contemporary Ballet (March 8): Bringing modern interpretations to the timeless elegance of ballet, this evening features principal dancers from acclaimed companies like Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey in a performance that shows how a classic art form can be reimagined for a new era.
Boca Raton Centennial Celebration (March 9): The festival concludes with a grand concert, bringing to life the vibrant 100-year history of Boca Raton through music and storytelling. Kyle Prescott conducts the Festival Boca Jazz Orchestra in music from almost every decade of Boca’s history and the world premiere of a specially commissioned piece by FAU composer Kevin Wilt, created exclusively for this singular occasion.
Since 2007, the Festival of the Arts Boca has enriched the cultural landscape of Boca Raton, North Broward and Palm Beach County with extraordinary performances and thought-provoking discussions. Named the No. 1 cultural event in Social Magazine’s “Top 10 Florida Events for 2022,” the festival continues to attract large audiences year after year.
Tickets for the 19th annual Festival of the Arts BOCA range from $15 to $120 and are available at festivalboca.org or by calling (561) 757-4762 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
