At 7 a.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 13, 2026, NPR will open submissions for its 2026 Tiny Desk Contest. Musicians from all over the country are invited to compete for an opportunity to film a Tiny Desk Concert for the station’s hugely popular YouTube channel and go on a national tour. The winner will be paired with a music-industry mentor and be featured on NPR’s All Things Considered .

Since its debut in 2015, the Tiny Desk Contest has become a global phenomenon. Oakland blues singer Fantastic Negrito was the first winner, and his soulful, politically sharp Tiny Desk Concert performance at NPR’s Washington, D.C. office propelled him to national acclaim, with three Grammy wins and four nominations to date. Last year, the Bay took home the crown again when San Lorenzo local Ruby Ibarra

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