Henson Week 2026

Sunday, September 20th - Saturday, September 26th

Every year the University of Maryland community has a little extra fun in honor of two of its most creative alumni, Jim '60 & Jane '55 Henson around September 24.

This year, the fun will last a little longer and will include a few special surprises as this year would have been Jim's 90th birthday.

In commemoration of his and Jane Henson's collective creative contributions to our lives, there will be numerous activities and events hosted throughout the week on and off campus promoting the themes: CREATE. MAKE. PLAY.

We hope you can join the fun by discovering something new, sharing your creative vision, seeking out inspiration from untapped sources, and making a few new friends along the way.

To participate or to learn more, please contact innovate@umd.edu

Learn More About The Henson Day Tradition

Activities Leading up to Henson Week

Experience the Arts at UMD! Live music. Comedy. Art. Connection.

Experience it all at NextNOW Fest!

NextNOW Fest features performances, workshops and other types of events by genre-pushing, nationally renowned touring artists, as well as campus-based artists. You can expect an eclectic lineup of artists across music, theater, dance, visual art, comedy and more genres.

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s annual NextNOW Fest is a multi-day arts festival featuring performances and other experiences by intriguing, inventive artists from around the country and the University of Maryland campus. A forward-looking gathering place where art transforms our future and connects us all, NextNOW Fest is where creativity and community converge.

Register for free now to receive priority access to the full 2026 lineup and schedule. You’ll also receive daily reminders throughout the festival week that will make your experience easy and convenient. Festival events will take place Wed, Sep 9-Tue, Sep 15 with festival nights taking place at The Clarice on Thu, Sep 10 and Fri, Sep 11. The full festival lineup and schedule will be announced in Summer 2026.

Activities Across Campus

11am-2pm outside LeFrak Hall: Creating PomPom Weefolk

Got 10 minutes between classes? Join the Office of Sustainability on Sept. 24th at the UM Farmers Market (Tawes Plaza) from 11am-1pm for some Henson-inspired crafting. Grab a wooden peg person, pick up a paintbrush, and design your very own sustainability superhero. What’s your eco-superpower? Come show us!

Activities in the Community

7:30-9:30pm at Busboys & Poets in Hyattsville: Jazz Jam featuring saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed and his band

Activities After Henson Week

A few events will take place after September 26th including the following:

College Park Day 2026 will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 12:00 to 6:00 pm at the College Park Aviation Museum and Airport (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740)!

This annual festival is the City of College Park's biggest event of the year featuring free activities and entertainment for all ages!

Participants can enjoy live music and performances on three stages throughout the day. The Main Stage will feature an exciting lineup of live bands while the Family Stage will offer interactive shows and kids music. There will also be a Performance Area that will include a mix of music and entertainment for all.

Guests can also expect non-stop action with wandering performers, inflatables, carnival-style games and a helicopter fly-in.

For those who prefer to stroll through the festival, there will be over 20+ local artists and craftsmen displaying and selling unique, handmade arts & crafts at Artist Alley, and exhibitors will be sharing great information with the community.

The day also includes free admission to the College Park Aviation Museum where attendees can explore historic aircraft and discover why the city is a birthplace of American aviation!

There will also be a wide variety of food and drink vendors with local restaurants, food trucks and breweries in attendance.

Free parking will be available nearby, along with free shuttle service from select locations, and bike racks will be available on site. The event site is minutes away walking from the College Park-UMD Metro Station (on the Green Line).

Jim Henson Academy of Visual & Performing Arts

Experience the Arts at Northwestern HS! The Jim Henson Academy of Visual and Performing Arts provides opportunities for a diverse student population to discover their passion. Students at the academy will participate in in-depth studies of multiple aspects, including history, theory, technique, and practice of Visual Art, Theatre, Music, Dance, and Television Media. A highly trained staff of arts educators will develop the courage within students to take risks and become leaders. Together, we will build an active arts community where VPA academy students inspire others to express themselves through various artistic methods. Their experience will foster a lifetime appreciation of the arts by developing creative skills that can be applied across any college and career path.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Special Thank You to the Henson Week 2026 Organizing Team, all of the supporters of this year's festivities, and every single one of the talented creative contributors.
Shout out to Ambi Narula for designing the Henson Week marketing materials!
Many thanks to everyone who hosted an activity, helped promote the day, and participated in any way with Henson Week 2026!