Symphony in the Summer at Qualicum Beach
2026-08-09 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1S7, Canada
The Victoria Symphony is back like the warm summer breeze! Join the VS, young violinist Malak El Ouadghiri, and Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia for an afternoon of orchestral favourites featuring selections from Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, Saint-Saëns’s Violin Concerto No. 3, and Brahms’s Serenade No. 2 in A major, alongside other timeless classics. Presented at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, this concert is the perfect way to spend an August afternoon — musical excellence in your own backyard.
Tickets: $35 | General Admission
Tickets on sale at The Mulberry Bush Book Store | 130 Second Ave. West, Qualicum Beach | 250-752-9722

Kluxen & Hetherington – Beethoven Symphony No. 7
2026-09-13 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
A festive Danish curtain-raiser by Friedrich Kuhlau (Beethoven’s contemporary and a composer central to Denmark’s musical identity) sets the tone for a season that celebrates place and belonging in a time when national songs resonate more than ever. Berlioz, another nineteenth-century visionary who expanded the orchestra’s expressive range, turns that brightness inward with Les Nuits d’été, a tender farewell to summer sung by mezzo-soprano Alex Hetherington. Britta Byström’s A Walk to Beethoven, commissioned by Christian Kluxen during his Arctic Philharmonic tenure, answers across time with a luminous bridge leading naturally into Beethoven’s radiant Seventh Symphony—a “celebration of humanity being unworried and free.”

Kluxen – Beethoven Symphony No. 7 (Sidney)
2026-09-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney, British Columbia, V8L 1W9, Canada
A festive Danish curtain-raiser by Friedrich Kuhlau (Beethoven’s contemporary and a composer central to Denmark’s musical identity) sets the tone for a season that celebrates place and belonging in a time when national songs resonate more than ever. Britta Byström’s A Walk to Beethoven, commissioned by Christian Kluxen during his Arctic Philharmonic tenure, answers across time with a luminous bridge leading naturally into Beethoven’s radiant Seventh Symphony—a “celebration of humanity being unworried and free.”
Presented without intermission.
Not included in subscription purchase discount.

Inside the Victoria Symphony
2026-09-19 13:00 - 15:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
We are proud to host a special event as part of Culture Days 2026! Have you ever wondered how to make a violin sing or what it’s like to play a trombone? Now’s your chance to find out. Come get Inside the Victoria Symphony—meet the Maestro, join the full orchestra in rehearsal, try an instrument, and get up close and personal!

Culture Days is Canada’s largest public participation campaign for the arts! Celebrate arts, culture, and heritage in your community through free and interactive events. Explore all the event in BC!
Registration for this event is required.

REGISTER
Event Schedule:
1:00 pm: Doors open
1:10-1:20 pm: Enjoy performances by students from the Victoria Conservatory of Music
1:30-2:30 pm: Join the Victoria Symphony in rehearsal
2:30-3:15 pm: Meet VS musicians in the lobby
Experience our Instrument Petting Zoo, Colouring Table, and other activities in the lobby throughout the event.
All Ages Welcome!
The event is free to attend, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Aretha – A Tribute
2026-09-19 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-09-20 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
R-E-S-P-E-C-T! The “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, is celebrated in a powerhouse concert of her greatest hits, from Respect and Think to A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, and Amazing Grace. Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and three-time GRAMMY®-nominee Ryan Shaw bring soaring vocals and electric energy to the stage, backed by Sean O’Loughlin and the musicians of the VS. More than a concert, it’s a heartwarming, soul-stirring tribute to one of music’s most legendary voices.

Kluxen & Pouliot – Dvořák’s New World Symphony & Sibelius Violin Concerto
2026-09-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-09-27 14:30 - 16:30 | Farquhar at UVic, University Farquhar Auditorium, Ring Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
Heino Eller’s Dawn captures both the first light of day and the awakening of Estonian national identity after World War I. Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, lyrical and vast, reflects the mystery of the landscape that shaped him, here brought to life by the brilliant Canadian violinist Blake Pouliot. Dvořák’s New World Symphony, written during his stay in America, weaves homesickness and discovery into one of the most beloved works in all symphonic literature.

Aadland & Tam – The Lark Ascending
2026-10-04 14:30 - 16:30 | Farquhar at UVic, University Farquhar Auditorium, Ring Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro was written in 1905 to showcase the virtuosity of the London Symphony Orchestra’s string players and its warmth and elegance remain irresistible today. Vaughan Williams’s beloved The Lark Ascending, performed by VS Concertmaster Terence Tam, floats with pastoral grace and quiet transcendence. The concert concludes with Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, a radiant triumph over adversity, conducted by the distinguished Norwegian maestro Eivind Aadland, Artistic Director of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

The Unicorn's Birthday®
2026-10-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Farquhar at UVic, University Farquhar Auditorium, Ring Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
Everyone’s invited to the unicorn’s birthday party! Meet musical penguins, monkeys, ducks, and other whimsical creatures in this interactive concert for young families and sensory-friendly audiences. Composer Bob Singleton—best known for his decade as music director of Barney & Friends—created The Unicorn’s Birthday for the Dallas Symphony, co-commissioned by orchestras across North America. A joyful introduction to the orchestra for all ages.
Not included in subscription purchase discount. Tickets available to purchase through the UVic Ticket Centre starting Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Join us at 2:00 pm in the lobby for our Instrument Petting Zoo! The Instrument Petting Zoo offers young people of all ages the chance to try out real musical instruments in a relaxed, fun environment. It’s a hands-on way to spark a child’s interest in music and explore a variety of sounds and styles.
Our friendly student volunteers will be on hand to guide children on how to properly hold, blow, or bow each instrument—no experience necessary!

Parameswaran & Liu – Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1
2026-10-25 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 evokes the frost-bright landscapes of winter, with its sweeping melodies and crisp orchestral colours revealing a youthful work of striking imagination. Rising Canadian pianist Sophia Liu dazzles in Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a brilliant showcase of fire, finesse, and fearless virtuosity. Vivian Fung’s Parade opens the concert with the vibrant rhythms and colours of San Francisco’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Vinay Parameswaran, one of the most versatile young conductors on the podium today, leads a program that moves from celebration to triumph in a blaze of orchestral colour.

Spirited Away – The Music of Studio Ghibli
2026-10-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-11-01 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
Enter the enchanting worlds of Studio Ghibli through the magical music of Joe Hisaishi, the composer behind their most beloved animated films. This tribute concert journeys through the nostalgic melodies of My Neighbor Totoro, the lyrical flights of Spirited Away, and the epic rhythms of Kiki’s Delivery Service. Each note opens a doorway to wonder, capturing the imagination and heart of every listener—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

Season Special: Kluxen – Ray Chen Plays Mendelssohn
2026-11-08 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
Superstar violinist Ray Chen—one of the most celebrated classical artists on the world stage—makes his long-awaited Victoria debut. Acclaimed for his awe-inspiring technique, deep artistry, and magnetic presence both on stage and online, Chen performs Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto, a perfect showcase for his radiant virtuosity. The concert opens with Canadian composer Samy Moussa’s Elysium, a luminous vision of reward and renewal. Bartók’s masterful Concerto for Orchestra, written in exile yet brimming with vitality and hope, concludes the afternoon and continues the VS’s exploration of the composer’s bold, transformative orchestral works.
Not included in subscription purchase discount but can be booked at the same time as a subscription package. Single tickets on sale starting July 21, 2026.

Kluxen & Choi – Prokofiev Classical & Haydn Cello Concerto
2026-11-15 14:30 - 16:30 | Farquhar at UVic, University Farquhar Auditorium, Ring Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
Rossini’s mischievous Il signor Bruschino Overture sparkles with wit and charm—proof that classical can also be playful. Hayoung Choi, winner of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition, brings brilliance and elegance to Haydn’s much loved Cello Concerto No. 1. Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony playfully reimagines eighteenth-century forms through a modern lens, before Haydn returns to close with Symphony No. 75, whose humour and grace remind us that true classicism is always alive, never antique.

Huynh & Valcheff – Beethoven Symphony No. 1 & Copland's Tender Land Suite
2026-11-22 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
“The promise of living with hope and thanksgiving / Is born of our loving our friends and our labor.” So sing the closing lines of Copland’s The Tender Land, whose open harmonies celebrate community and gratitude. Dynamic conductor Norman Huynh leads a program grounded in musical friendship: VS Principal Percussion Jacob Valcheff joins as soloist in a vibrant new concerto by Canadian composer Samuel Kerr, commissioned with support from the Hugh Davidson Fund at the Victoria Foundation. Beethoven’s youthful First Symphony closes with exuberant optimism and elegant humour—music born of curiosity, confidence, and connection.

Christmas Pops with Steven Page
2026-12-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-06 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
Celebrate the season with acclaimed singer-songwriter Steven Page, co-founder of Barenaked Ladies, in a festive concert blending heart, humour, and harmony. Hear the iconic hits Brian Wilson, Jane, Call and Answer, The Old Apartment, and What a Good Boy, along with joyful holiday favourites guaranteed to make you feel merry and bright. A feel-good evening that sparkles with wit, nostalgia, and warmth.

Messiah by Candlelight
2026-12-11 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-12 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-12-13 14:30 - 16:30 | Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave
“Hallelujah!” In 1741, Handel composed his great oratorio Messiah in just three weeks, and its message of hope and redemption has echoed ever since. Victoria’s magnificent Christ Church Cathedral glows with candlelight as the VS, local choirs, and four outstanding soloists bring this timeless story to life—a tradition that has sold out two years in a row!

Christmas Pops with the VS (Sidney Matinee)
2026-12-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney, British Columbia, V8L 1W9, Canada
Santa Claus isn’t the only one coming to town! Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia and the VS make a welcome return to Sidney for the annual favourite Christmas Pops tradition. Bringing you music for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, from holiday classics to spirited renditions of favourite carols, join us for a festive celebration right in your own backyard!
Not included in subscription purchase discount.

Christmas Pops with the VS (Sidney Evening)
2026-12-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney, British Columbia, V8L 1W9, Canada

Christmas Pops with the VS (Qualicum Beach Matinee)
2026-12-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1S7, Canada
Santa Claus isn’t the only one coming to town! Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia and the VS make a welcome return to Qualicum Beach for the annual favourite Christmas Pops tradition. Bringing you music for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, from holiday classics to spirited renditions of favourite carols, join us for a festive celebration right in your own backyard!
Tickets: $47 | General Admission (not included in subscription purchase discount)
Tickets on sale at The Mulberry Bush Book Store | 130 Second Ave. West, Qualicum Beach | 250-752-9722

Christmas Pops with the VS (Qualicum Beach Evening)
2026-12-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1S7, Canada

Home Alone in Concert
2026-12-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-12-20 14:30 - 16:30, 2026-12-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
A true holiday favourite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Victoria Symphony. 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!
© 1990 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.
Not included in subscription purchase discount but can be booked at the same time as a subscription package. Single tickets on sale starting July 21, 2026.

New Year's Day Celebration
2027-01-01 14:30 - 16:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
Ring in the New Year with sparkling arias, choruses, and dances in Victoria’s most joyful musical tradition. Tenor Matthew Cairns joins Ballet Victoria and members of the Pacific Opera Victoria Chorus for an afternoon brimming with glamour, melody, and celebration. A toast to 2027 that has sold out three years running!

Latin Nights with Sal Ferreras & Adonis Puentes
2027-01-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
After their crowd-pleasing Symphony SPLASH! debut in 2025, percussionist Sal Ferreras, vocalist Adonis Puentes, and the Latin Jazz Sextet return with irresistible energy, rhythm, and joy. Featuring new works from Adonis Puentes and Miguelito Valdés, plus musical gems from Lalo Schifrin (Argentina), Ernesto Lecuona (Cuba), Sergio Mendes (Brazil), and Oscar Hernández (Puerto Rico), Latin Nights is an electrifying celebration of song and dance.
