TEDxSanDiego Mainstage Show: JOY

Joy, our 2026 Mainstage theme, is both an invitation and a provocation: what if joy isn’t escapism, but essential?

In a time marked by division, burnout, and uncertainty, we see joy as a force that fuels resilience and possibility. It reminds us that joy isn’t frivolous. It’s part of what keeps us connected and alive.

The TEDxSanDiego Joy mainstage event features 9 powerful ideas that can change everything, and the voices behind them. Our speakers span the arts and humanities, climate, science, community building, technology, and more, revealing the many ways joy can endure even in challenging times.

Our event is a call to action, urging every attendee to explore what they could change by choosing joy first.