Special Events
The New Jersey Symphony holds special concerts like holiday, family and movie concerts to go along with our classical concerts. Check out some of the upcoming special concerts below!
Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene with
Renée Fleming
Includes Visuals from National Geographic Society!
Xian Zhang conductor
Renée Fleming soprano
New Jersey Symphony
A breathtaking start to the 2024–25 season with international superstar Renée Fleming. As fall colors flare, America’s most celebrated soprano adds the exquisite hues of her own voice to this concert, inspired by her 2023 Grammy Award-winning album, Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene. This special performance spans Classical, Romantic and contemporary music, exploring nature as both inspiration and victim of humanity. Come be immersed in the majesty of nature, as the music will be accompanied by stunning film by the National Geographic Society.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
New Jersey Symphony
The New Jersey Symphony presents Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert featuring the complete film, with the score performed live to picture. The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), and features many more of your favorite Muppet characters. This special holiday event is fun for the whole family!
A Gospel Holiday
New Jersey Symphony Family Concert
New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus
New Jersey Symphony
Spotlighting celebrated artists from Newark and beyond, the New Jersey Symphony lauds the power of the first instrument—the human voice—with a gospel music inspired holiday extravaganza. Come ready to sing, dance and clap along!
Handel’s Messiah
New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition
Jeannette Sorrell conductor
Sonya Headlam soprano
John Holiday countertenor
Ed Lyon tenor
Kevin Deas bass-baritone
Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director
New Jersey Symphony
Spirits will soar at “Lift Up Your Heads” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” as well as the treasured arias that make Handel’s Messiah the must-hear classic of the holidays. Jeannette Sorrell, who “brings revelations” (Philadelphia Inquirer) to everything she conducts, leads the New Jersey Symphony and the phenomenal Montclair State University Singers.
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration with Xian Zhang
Celebration of the Year of the Snake
Xian Zhang conductor
Min Kwon piano
Peking University Alumni Chorus
Starry Arts Children’s Chorus | Rebecca Shen, director
New Jersey Symphony
Join us for this evening of community and cultural exchange that is wonderful for families and children, as we celebrate the Year of the Snake. Music Director Xian Zhang, pianist Min Kwon, the Peking University Alumni Chorus and the Starry Arts Children’s Chorus all return for this joyous concert.
Warner Bros. Discovery presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
New Jersey Symphony Special Concert -
30th Anniversary Concert
George Daugherty conductor
George Daugherty & David Ka Lik Wong creators
New Jersey Symphony
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is back! Celebrate Looney Tunes and its legendary stars, including Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner and, of course, Bugs Bunny, our very favorite “wascally wabbit.” Enjoy classics including “Baton Bunny,” “The Rabbit of Seville” and “What’s Opera, Doc?” alongside Warner Bros. Discovery 3D theatrical shorts “Rabid Rider,” “Coyote Falls” and “Fur of Flying.” Don’t miss these extraordinary musical scores performed live by the New Jersey Symphony as all the action unfolds on the big screen.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Thirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished, and a new threat has risen: The First Order, led by the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke and his enforcer, Kylo Ren. General Leia Organa’s military force, the Resistance—and unlikely heroes brought together by fate—are the galaxy’s only hope. Experience the complete film with the New Jersey Symphony performing John Williams’ thrilling score live.
Discover Mozart & Bach
New Jersey Symphony Family Concert:
A Music Discovery Zone
Xian Zhang conductor
Eric Wyrick violin
Francine Storck violin
New Jersey Symphony
Discover what makes a live orchestra concert so special. We’ll take a deep dive into two joyous works by Mozart, as well as J.S. Bach’s incredibly famous Double Concerto for Two Violins. Inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s masterful way of putting young audiences at the center of music-making, this interactive concert will feature inside tips, listening cues and fun facts that make for the perfect Saturday afternoon family outing!