Our 2025-26 Season
For nearly a century, Charlotte has been home to a world-class symphony, shaped by the city and its people and fueled by bold artistry, tradition, and the powerful connection we share through music. In our 2025-26 season, we invite you on a journey to explore the meaning of home -- how it shapes us, connects us, and defines our experiences -- as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding.
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ANNUAL GALA & CONCERT:
Gil Shaham Plays Tchaikovsky
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 8:00 PM | Belk Theater
Music Director Kwamé Ryan conducts his first Charlotte Symphony Gala, opening the season with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1, a lively work full of youthful exuberance and sweeping melodies. World-renowned violinist Gil Shaham joins Ryan and the Orchestra for Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, a dramatic and virtuosic masterpiece brimming with passion, lyrical beauty, and breathtaking energy.
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Classical Series
Packages of 12, 8, 6, and 4 available for Friday and Saturday evening. Plus, a three-concert Sunday matinee package, including free tickets for children!
Series Highlights:
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5
October 24-26, 2025 | Knight TheaterBeethoven's Fifth Symphony -- an electrifying masterpiece and one of the most iconic works in classical music -- takes audiences on a captivating journey from darkness to triumph, propelled by the famous four-note theme of fate knocking at the door.
Respighi's Pines of Rome
November 14 & 15, 2025 | Belk TheaterDuruflé's Requiem intertwines medieval melodies and Gregorian chant with lush, impressionistic harmonies, igniting an evening of passion and beauty with a deeply spiritual and introspective atmosphere. Respighi's colorful tone poems transport audiences into the heart of the Eternal City, painting a vivid picture of the lush landscapes and sparkling fountains that inspired the composer's sense of belonging in his newly adopted home.
Dvořák's New World Symphony
March 27-29, 2026 | Knight TheaterSoprano Janai Brugger joins Music Director Kwamé Ryan and the Orchestra for works exploring themes of home, nostalgia, and longing, including "The Trees on the Mountain" from Floyd's Susannah and Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915. The evening culminates with Dvořák's "New World" Symphony.
Copland & Kahane
May 15 & 16, 2026 | Knight TheaterThe season concludes with a deeply personal and poignant reflection on the meaning of home. As part of the CSO Spotlight Series, Artistic Partner Gabriel Kahane's emergency shelter intake form delivers a powerful oratorio-style work that explores homelessness from multiple perspectives, featuring a choir of community members directly touched by homelessness, eviction, or housing insecurity.
Pops Series
The music of your life brought to life! The Sandra and Leon Levine Pops Series is pure entertainment at its best.
Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony
October 17 & 18, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Knight TheaterFollow the musical journey of Dolly Parton's life in a new multimedia symphonic experience. The country music star's iconic songs are reimagined and the stories behind them are vividly brought to life with Dolly on screen as her personally selected guest vocalists join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to perform her beloved hits, including "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You."
Holiday Pops: A Carolina Christmas
December 12 & 13, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Knight TheaterExperience the tapestry of home with a celebration of North Carolina's rich musical heritage at Holiday Pops. Sounds of bluegrass, blues, and gospel converge in traditional holiday songs -- honoring our ties to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas -- that feel uniquely like Carolina.
The Music of Motown
January 23 & 24, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Knight TheaterGet down to the irresistible rhythms of Detroit's iconic pop-soul sound. Delight in the uplifting pop harmonies and driving beats of smash hits made famous by The Temptations, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and more -- that's the magic of Motown!
The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA
February 27 & 28 | 7:30 PM | Knight TheaterThe world's top ABBA tribute band joins your CSO to perform the iconic songs of a generation. "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Waterloo," "S.O.S.," "Take a Chance on Me," and many more will have you dancing in the aisles. If you enjoyed Mamma Mia, you'll love The Concert!
Movie Series
Experience full-length films on a larger-than-life screen, as the scores are played live in sync with the films.
Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert
October 3, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Ovens AuditoriumOctober 4, 2025 | 3:00 PM | Ovens Auditorium
Come along on a swashbuckling cinematic adventure as Will Turner and the charismatic pirate Captain Jack Sparrow join forces to rescue Elizabeth Swann from the clutches of the infamous crew of the Black Pearl. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra brings the legendary score to life as the entire feature-length film plays on the big screen.
Home Alone in Concert
November 28, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Belk TheaterNovember 29, 2025 | 3:00 PM | Belk Theater
A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams's charming and delightful score performed live by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra as the entire feature-length film plays on the big screen. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who's accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family.
Encanto in Concert
March 20, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Belk TheaterMarch 21, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Belk Theater
Telling the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the mountains of Colombia, Walt Disney Animation Studios' Academy Award®-winning film Encanto comes to life in a cinematic experience. Watch the entire feature-length film on the big screen at Ovens Auditorium as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs the score live on stage.
Black Panther in Concert
June 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Belk TheaterJune 6, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Belk Theater
Witness T'Challa become king of and battle Killmonger in the profound and action-packed 2018 Marvel film that introduced the world to Wakanda. Experience Ryan Coogler's entire feature-length film on the big screen as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs Ludwig Göransson's Oscar® and Grammy®-winning score live on stage.
Family Series
These one-hour concerts engage all the senses and make learning about the orchestra fun! Perfect for kids ages 4-9. Each includes pre-concert hands-on activities, storytelling, and musical games in the lobby.
Peter and the Wolf
October 18, 2025 | 11:00 AM | Knight TheaterProkofiev's timeless musical tale brings storytelling to life as each character -- Peter, his animal friends, and the cunning wolf -- is represented by a different instrument in the orchestra. With lively narration and colorful orchestration, this beloved classic is the perfect way to introduce young audiences to the magic of music.
Holiday Pops Family
December 13, 2025 | 11:00 AM | Knight TheaterCelebrate the season with Charlotte's favorite holiday tradition! Experience the magic of the holidays as the Charlotte Symphony brings beloved carols and festive favorites to life. With sparkling arrangements, heartwarming melodies, and special appearances from Santa and friends, this joyful concert is sure to bring holiday cheer to the whole family!
CLASSICAL KIDS LIVE!
Beethoven Lives Upstairs
January 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Knight TheaterHistory, drama, and music come to life through a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his uncle about the "madman" upstairs -- Beethoven himself. As Christoph learns about the composer's genius and struggles, audiences are captivated by the master's music, including the Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, and the great Fifth and Ninth Symphonies. The music is magically woven into the drama as two actors share their anecdotes and observations based on true incidents from the composer's life.
The Orchestra Games
February 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Knight TheaterMeet the instruments of the Orchestra in this Olympic-inspired concert right after the Winter 2026 Olympics in Italy. Watch as the orchestra's strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion compete in fun events like the low-note limbo, fast-note dash, and marathon, showcasing their unique strengths and personalities. Let the games begin!
Special events
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Cirque de Noël
December 19-21, 2025 | Knight TheaterThe magic of Cirque de Noël returns! Experience jaw-dropping feats as aerialists soar high above the orchestra, alongside awe-inspiring acrobatics set to your favorite holiday music. With thrilling new acts and beloved favorites, this annual event is sure to fill your family with the wonder and joy of the holiday season. --> Learn More
Programs and artists subject to change without notice.
