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NCH Season 2026 - Spring Summer

The National Concert Hall is proud to announce its Spring/Summer 2026 Classical Season, an ambitious programme of more than 40 concerts, placing National Symphony Orchestra Ireland at its heart, complimented by an International Orchestras & Recitals series and all-embracing Discover programme of orchestral classics for families and young people. Audiences can look forward to orchestral landmarks, daring new works, unforgettable recitals, immersive film screenings, programmes for young people and schools — all part of the NCH mission to bring world-class music to everyone.

Season Highlights

  • Alexander Shelley’s inaugural season as National Symphony Orchestra Ireland Principal Conductor Designate, with Schumann’s Das Paradies und die Peri and returning later with Rachmaninov, John Adams, and Stravinsky’s The Firebird with newly commissioned visuals.
  • World-class visiting artists and ensembles: Sir Simon Rattle with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, violinist Hilary Hahn in recital, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine with Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto and Eroica Symphony, pianist Kirill Gerstein and more.
  • Landmark premieres and commissions: Six Irish premieres by Philip Glass, Anselm McDonnell’s Cello Concerto Hostile Summits and Siobhán Cleary’s Canto (both NSOI commission), Irish premieres of works by Gabriela Ortiz, Jennifer Higdon, Julia Wolfe and Gerald Barry’s Salome for New Music Dublin.
  • Celebrated soloists and conductors: violinist Maxim Vengerov, pianists Louis Lortie, Barry Douglas, John O’Conor, violinist Baiba Skride, soprano Celine Byrne, vocalist Angélique Kidjo & pianist Maki Namekawa with Dennis Russell Davies for Philip Glass Explored.
  • Immersive and family programmes: Jessie Grimes’ Symphony Shorts for families, orchestral film screenings (E.T., The Snail and the Whale, Room on the Broom) and Discover concerts including The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and Peter and the Wolf with shadow puppetry.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets on general sale Friday 31st October, 10am
Priority Booking for Friends of the NCH opens Wednesday 29th October, 10am

  • Tickets from €15 for all main stage evening concerts in the Season. 
  • Discounts of up to 25% on Multi-buy Packages.
  • Friends of NCH up to 25% discount on 18+ concerts, or 10% on individual concerts.
  • Groups Discount available at 10% for 10-39 tickets and 20% for 40+ tickets
  • €10 student tickets (subject to availability).
  • Free tickets for children (under 18) with a full-price adult ticket on selected events. 
  • Family price options for family concerts available.
  • Concession Discounts also available.  

Browse the Season Brochure for Spring Summer 2026 below

All Concerts in the NCH Season 2026 - Spring Summer

NSOI: New Year's Day Gala

Classical

NSOI: New Year's Day Gala

Thursday 1 Jan 2026 3:30PM

NSOI: Composer Lab

Contemporary Classical

NSOI: Composer Lab

Tuesday 20 Jan 2026 8:00PM

Irish Chamber Orchestra with Abel Selaocoe

International Orchestras & Recitals

Irish Chamber Orchestra with Abel Selaocoe

Thursday 5 Feb 2026 8:00PM

Kirill Gerstein, piano

International Orchestras & Recitals

Kirill Gerstein, piano

Thursday 19 Feb 2026 8:00PM

NSOI: Alexander Shelley conducts

Classical

NSOI: Alexander Shelley conducts

Friday 13 Mar 2026 7:30PM

Orchestral Escapades with NSOI

Family

Orchestral Escapades with NSOI

Saturday 14 Mar 2026 12:30PM

NSOI: Louis Lortie plays Chopin

Classical

NSOI: Louis Lortie plays Chopin

Friday 20 Mar 2026 7:30PM

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

International Orchestras & Recitals

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

Monday 23 Mar 2026 8:00PM

NSOI: Music for Good Friday

Choral

NSOI: Music for Good Friday

Friday 3 Apr 2026 3:30PM

NMD26: Gerald Barry’s Salome with NSOI

Contemporary Classical

NMD26: Gerald Barry’s Salome with NSOI

Friday 17 Apr 2026 7:30PM

NSOI: Jessica Cottis conducts

Classical

NSOI: Jessica Cottis conducts

Friday 8 May 2026 7:30PM

Hilary Hahn, violin

International Orchestras & Recitals

Hilary Hahn, violin

Thursday 14 May 2026 8:00PM

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Sir Simon Rattle

International Orchestras & Recitals

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Sir Simon Rattle

Thursday 11 Jun 2026 8:00PM

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