If you clicked on this article, it’s likely that you are a music enjoyer – maybe even a fan of classical music. However, if you found your way here without having any particular musical background, I want to assure you that you are absolutely in the right place. Music has always been something common to everyone, everywhere, at every time. Especially today, there is something very precious about experiencing art that is live, made through true passion, right in front of you. I truly believe that everybody can feel deeply, connect meaningfully, or simply just admire a moment of genuine finesse and beauty at the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a Philharmonic show; all you need is a pair of ears to listen, and a heart to be moved.
That being said, here are some lovely shows for the 2025 – 2026 season that I have chosen to highlight!
Phil in the Park
Date: September 7, 2025
Time: 2PM @ Prince’s Island Park
Cost: Free!
“Grab your blankets and picnic baskets as we once again welcome all of Calgary to join us at Prince’s Island Park for a free community concert! Performing an exciting mix of classics and song selections from stage and screen, the Orchestra and Resident Conductor Juliane Gallant provide the perfect soundtrack to a fun-filled afternoon in the beautiful heart of the city.”
An Evening with Lang Lang
Date: September 27, 2025
Time: 7:30PM @ The Jack Singer Concert Hall
Cost: $99 – $249
“Hear global piano sensation Lang Lang for the first time ever in Calgary as he brings his charismatic virtuosity to Bartók’s vibrant Piano Concerto No. 3, one of the composer’s final works and a gift for his wife Ditta Pásztory. Conductor Ramón Tebar also leads the Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s emotional Fourth Symphony — a powerful testament to the indomitableness of the human spirit.”
The Princess Bride in Concert
Date: October 10-11, 2025
Time: 7:30PM (on the 10th), 2:30PM (on the 11th) @ The Jack Singer Concert Hall
Cost: $32 – $94
“Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, true love, miracles… experience one of the most beloved films of all time as never before with the power of the Calgary Phil performing the entire musical score live-to-picture! With composer Mark Knopfler’s unforgettable score specially arranged for symphony orchestra for the first time, missing this cinematic concert experience would be inconceivable!”
Home Alone in Concert
Date: November 28-29, 2025
Time: 7:30PM (on the 28th), 2:30PM (on the 29th) @ The Winsport Event Centre
Cost: $89
“Kickstart your holiday season with the beloved comedy classic Home Alone, now 35 years young! Featuring renowned composer John Williams’ delightful score performed live by your Calgary Phil, the film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an inventive eight-year-old boy who, after accidentally being left alone over Christmas, must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the whole family!”
The Music of Hans Zimmer
Date: January 16-17, 2026
Time: 7:30PM @ The Jack Singer Concert Hall
Cost: $34 – $102
“The Orchestra and conductor Tristan Rais-Sherman celebrate some of the most iconic film scores of all time from Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer! We’ll travel to the deepest depths of space with music from Dune and Interstellar, join Captain Jack Sparrow and The Pirates of the Caribbean, roam Gotham with The Dark Knight, and much more”
Romantic Ravel
Date: February 13-14, 2026
Time: 7:30PM @ The Jack Singer Concert Hall
Cost: $33 – $98
“Let the enchanting music of Ravel captivate you this Valentine’s Day weekend as the Calgary Phil and conductor Natalia Ponomarchuk take you from his picturesque Spanish-inspired rhapsody to the shimmering sound world of Daphnis et Chloé, topped off with Boléro’s sensational orchestral crescendo. Canadian phenom Stewart Goodyear stars in Saint-Saëns’ striking Piano Concerto No. 5 (known as The Egyptian) composed during a trip to Cairo.”
Alberta in Harmony: The Planets
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 7:30PM @ The Jack Singer Concert Hall
Cost: $46 – $139
“Take the plunge into huge orchestral sound as the Calgary Phil and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra come together to perform John Luther Adams’ Become Ocean, a haunting work that evokes an unstoppable tidal surge. They also join forces to play Holst’s enthralling orchestral mood pictures inspired by the astrological significance of the planets and how they may influence human character.”
Broadway Hits: Hamilton, Rent + More!
Date: May 29-30, 2026
Time: 7:30PM @ The Jack Singer Concert Hall
Cost: $33 – $98
“Grab your seats for this Broadway extravaganza as your Calgary Phil brings the splendour of The Great White Way to Jack Singer Concert Hall! Juliane Gallant and two marvellous vocal stars team up with the Orchestra to perform memorable tunes from modern musicals, including Hamilton and Rent, plus the great Stephen Sondheim’s songs from Sweeney Todd and Company.”
All in all, the Calgary Phil’s upcoming season is filled with some great shows for every occasion; whether that be an elegant date night, a special outing with friends, or an ethereal movie experience. Even if you’re not a huge fan of classical music, this year’s lineup is sure to have something for everyone with its diverse and creative programming!
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