The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has launched another season full of enthralling musical experiences you won’t forget. From now until June 2026, the TSO has an exciting range of performances lined up, with new concerts almost every week. 

A night out with the TSO is a must-do for any music lover or culture aficionado in the city. It can be an enchanting date night, a bonding experience between friends, or an enriching family outing. Best of all, it’s something that all ages can enjoy—whether you’re taking your grandparents, parents, or children, there’s a little something for everyone in this rich lineup of performances. 

This season, we are thrilled to see tons of women musicians, conductors, and composers taking centre stage. From an accordion sensation, to a genre-defying sitarist, to many rising Canadian talents and trailblazing composers, this season at the TSO will undoubtedly spotlight the incredible range and talent of women in music.

To help you navigate the incredible offerings coming up at the TSO, our season preview will highlight some of the concerts we think you’ll love.

Masterworks Concerts

Masterworks concerts are quintessential TSO experiences. From thrilling performances of classics from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff, to bold new works from the next generation of composers, these dynamic performances showcase the musical mastery, power, and depth of the orchestra. This season, several exceptional women are taking the spotlight.

Debussy & Sibelius

Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova makes her TSO debut with a performance of the dazzling concerto Dances: Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra. Blending the instrument’s roots in folk music with classical finesse and modern twists, Sidorova is determined to share the beauty and range of the accordion with new audiences. In addition to Sidorova’s performance, the program also features Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5.

Shankar’s Sitar

Experience a fusion of Western and Indian classical music with groundbreaking sitarist Anoushka Shankar. Shankar is known for pushing the boundaries of the plucked string instrument, seamlessly incorporating the sitar into the symphonic, electronic, jazz, and pop worlds. At her TSO debut, she will be performing Sitar Concerto No. 2 “Raga-Mala”, an evocative piece written by her father and iconic sitarist Ravi Shankar. 

María Dueñas Plays Korngold

Film lovers will appreciate this cinematically inspired program, featuring virtuoso violinist María Dueñas. Following the orchestra’s take on Herrmann’s Suite from Psycho, Dueñas will take the stage to perform Korngold’s Violin Concerto, channelling the lush, film-score atmosphere of 1930s Hollywood. An ethereal new work from composer Bekah Simms rounds out the program.

Other women-led Masterworks concerts you may be interested in include Stravinsky’s spellbinding, fantastical work The Firebird, conducted by Eva Ollikainen, Spring Journeys, a joyous celebration of the season’s freshness and vitality led by conductor Stephanie Childress, and Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, led by conductor Elim Chan and followed by a moving world premiere from Indigenous composer Cris Derksen. 

Pops Concerts & Special Performances 

Experience the orchestra in a thrilling new way this season! The TSO’s Pops Concerts offer a fresh take on music you love from stage, cinema, and the top of the charts—creating a welcoming, lively concert experience perfect for first-time attendees. One highlight of the Pops programming in 2025/26 is She’s Got Soul, a powerhouse tribute to R&B and soul’s greatest hits. Sensational lead vocalist Capathia Jenkins will perform iconic favourites from the likes of Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Adele, and more. 

Also infused throughout the TSO’s lineup this season are film screenings paired with live orchestral scores and special performances from acclaimed guests.

In February, mark your calendars for a Valentine’s Day weekend showing of beloved classic The Princess Bride, accompanied by a live performance of the film’s whimsical score. Later in the month, ring in the Lunar New Year with a joyous Year of the Horse celebration led by conductor Carolyn Kuan with pipa virtuoso Wu Man, new works by Vivian Fung and Alison Yun Fei Jiang, an Asian artisan market, lion dancers and more.

Holidays at the TSO

During the holiday season, the TSO is the place to be! Don’t miss your chance to take in some of your favourite seasonal songs and film scores performed by the orchestra in these concerts full of warmth, magic, and holiday cheer.

This December, enjoy a festive episode of Murdoch Mysteries, or perhaps a rewatch of the holiday staple Home Alone, both scored live by the TSO. 

For those looking to experience their favourite carols in a new way, TSO Holiday Pops is a joyful spectacle that brings timeless holiday classics to life. Led by guest conductor Sarah Hicks and Canadian vocalist Mikaela Bennett, this uplifting performance will leave you full of festive cheer. 

Messiah, another annual tradition at the TSO, will bring you the heavenly voices of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and standout soloists for an inspiring night of music to celebrate the season.

Young People’s Concerts

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce your children to the world of orchestral music, the TSO’s Young People’s Concerts offer shorter, interactive, and story-driven concert experiences for ages 5-12. In addition to a Halloween extravaganza, a hilarious musical whodunit, and a high-energy celebration of dance, a new work inspired by award-winning artist Sandra Laronde rounds out the Young People’s Concerts at the TSO this season. 

Created in partnership with Red Sky Performance, She Holds Up the Stars is a groundbreaking production inspired by Laronde’s award-winning novel of the same name. Blending life-sized puppets, movement, storytelling, theatre, and visual design with Eliot Britton’s orchestral score, the story follows a young Indigenous girl who returns to live on the rez. As tensions rise around her, she unexpectedly bonds with a wild horse, leading her to reshape her connection to land, home, and heart.

No matter your interests or musical tastes, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has an impressive repertoire of concert experiences lined up for you this season. A night out with the TSO is a truly unforgettable experience. Once you witness the beauty of a live orchestral performance, you’ll want to keep coming back, again and again. 

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s 2025/26 Season is on now until June 2026. Visit their website for more information, including the full concert lineup, and to purchase tickets or season subscriptions.