With its sea of candles, exceptionally-talented musicians and wide-ranging selection of concerts, Candlelight enchants and enthralls audiences all year round. However, to welcome the winter months, there are a few special edition concerts on the cards as well as the return of (more than) a few favourites, including Hans Zimmer’s best works and a tribute to Coldplay.
The Candlelight series is coming to illuminate some of the city’s stunning venues such as the Sydney Masonic Centre, the Eveleigh, and Sydney Town Hall. Take a look below to see what’s coming up and which Candlelight concert will move you this upcoming season.
Featured Candlelight concerts in Sydney
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
No matter what time of year it is, you cannot say no to an evening of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. Composed when he was a court chapel master in Mantua, it’s said to have inspired by the seasonal changes of the Venetian composer’s hometown.
Even though the Baroque composer was particularly influential in Europe during his lifetime, his instrumental concerti are some of the most recognizable works of classical music. Experience all seasons in one night at The Linseed House as Nomad String Quartet takes to the stage, surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles.
Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi
The music of Studio Ghibli comes to Sydney with Phoenix Collective String Quartet at the grand Sydney Masonic Centre. Noted for his contribution to music and film, this season Candlelight celebrates the best of Joe Hisaishi, the Japanese composer behind many Studio Ghibli soundtracks. He’s scored over 100 film scores and is an eight-time winner of the Japanese Academy Prize for Best Music, so really there’s no one better fit for an intimate tribute under the warm glow of hundreds of candles.
The setlist includes the themes from his first collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki, the 1984 hit Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the 1988 Blue Ribbon Award winner My Neighbour Totoro and the beloved 1989 animated film, Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.
The music from some of the world’s most famous stories is being celebrated thanks to Candlelight and Warner Bros. To celebrate their 100th anniversary, 100 cities around the world will play host to special editions and Sydney is going to be one of the first. From complex romances in Casablanca to epic battles in search of justice as seen on Wonder Woman, as well as classics like The Wizard of Oz or Singin’ in the Rain plus much newer favourites, soon it will be time to relive these stories through song.
All upcoming Candlelight concerts in Sydney
Candlelight Information
The atmosphere of hundreds of candles is a wondrous spectacle that amplifies the live-music experience. And, for the length of the 60-65 minute performance, the candle-music combo creates a parallel realm where audiences are carried away by each and every note played.
So far, thousands of candles have lent their gentle glow to Sydney’s sensational Candlelight concerts and the greatest works of classical music as well as legendary jazz, rock, pop and film classics have been performed in the flickering light.
Intimate and extraordinary atmospheres will continue to be created at some of the city’s most beautiful and unique venues, including The Concourse, the heritage-listed venue at the Grounds of Alexandria, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, the nave of St Stephen’s Uniting Church and the architecturally significant Sydney Masonic Centre, among others. There are more to come so watch this space.
A recurring question regarding Candlelight is, What do you wear to Candlelight? The simple answer is that Candlelight has no dress code and there is no obligation to dress up in your finest attire—it’s not the opera. However, to save you from any drama, then think smart-casual with an emphasis on being comfortable, clean and relaxed.
Candlelight Reviews
Candlelight has been met with countless 5-star reviews since arriving in Sydney. Guests have said that the evenings are “a creative, enchanting, and new concert experience” and that “the performers were fantastic!”
“Performance was done amazingly!” – Candlelight Orchestra: Best of Joe Hisaishi
“The String quartet was fabulous. The lead violinist had brilliant stage presence! He involved the audience with gusto. Love the Chatswood venue!” – A Tribute to Queen at The Concourse
“Atmosphere from the Quartet was amazing.” – A Tribute to Queen at The Concourse
“Brilliant and inspiring performance, and loved the more impromptu sections.” – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at The Grand Lodge, SMC
“A beautiful location and beautiful setting. The musicians were marvelous and lovely. Vivaldi’s music and the night was enchanting.” – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at The Grand Lodge, SMC
Give the gift of Candlelight
The Candlelight gift card is the gift of a candlelit, live-music experience. They’re immensely popular and are capable of captivating all thanks to the broad range of genres that Candlelight celebrates. Whether the gift card is for a mate, a date, or for the family, they’ll be sure to find a concert that shines bright and catches their eye now or in the near future.
Typically, there are two Candlelight concerts every evening, an early and a later session, which gives audiences ample choice and opportunity to experience music by Candlelight the way they would like to. It also gives audiences plenty of time to go out for dinner before or after and make the night more of a memorable experience.
Whether on your own, with a mate, a group of friends, or a special someone, guests will be captivated by these spectacular performances.
With tickets for as little as $30 depending on the concert, Candlelight is a night out that almost everybody will enjoy. Those that don’t, aren’t big fans of music or candles.
Please note: For the safety of performers and the audience, all of the candlelight will be provided through flameless candles.