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Under the Radar isn’t a festival you casually wander into. With 31 shows spread across 24 venues in four boroughs, the 2026 edition is a cultural sprawl that can feel both thrilling and mildly panic-inducing, depending on how much planning you do before opening night.
Running January 7 through 25, Under the Radar once again brings together experimental theater, performance art and genre-defying work from New York and around the world. Some shows are polished premieres, while others are labeled “Under Construction,” meaning you’re seeing works in progress. The point here isn’t perfection, meaning if you leave a show slightly confused but oddly energized, you’ve probably picked well.
The smartest place to start is the festival’s Matrix, which sorts shows by vibe instead of category. Rather than forcing you to choose between “dance” and “theater,” it lets you filter by feeling—whether you’re in the mood for something emotional, cerebral, playful, political or totally off the rails. It’s the fastest way to build a lineup that actually matches your taste.
Geography also plays a bigger role at UTR than at most festivals. With venues scattered across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, hopping between shows takes strategy. This year, the festival acknowledges that with UTR Hubs, designated neighborhood bars near clusters of venues where audiences can gather before and after performances. They’re partly unofficial headquarters and a great way to make your theater night feel like more than a quick in-and-out.
As for the basics, there’s no dress code and no required number of shows to see. Under the Radar’s own advice is refreshingly low-pressure—wear what makes you comfortable, pick shows that genuinely interest you and don’t overthink it. For families, several performances are flagged as appropriate for younger audiences, with age guidance starting at 10 years old and going up from there.
The festival also offers talks and artist conversations for anyone who wants a little more context, plus clear ways to get involved, from volunteering to supporting local and international artists through curated program filters.
Under the Radar isn’t about finding the “best” show. It’s about seeing work you probably wouldn’t run into any other way. Some of it will hit, some of it won’t, but that’s the deal. If you leave having seen at least one thing you didn’t expect to like, the festival’s done its job.