“Beethoven x Beyoncé” and other can’t-miss Charlotte Symphony shows this season

If you haven't been to a Charlotte Symphony Orchestra concert, you're missing out.

In addition to the traditional concerts you might expect, many CSO performances are movie- and pop culture-themed, seasonal (deets below on the upcoming Halloween concert) or family-friendly.

Get up to date: October kicks off the CSO's 93rd season. It's an especially exciting season because the group is welcoming a new Music Director, Kwamé Ryan.

Here's a roundup of some concerts we're looking forward to this season, grouped by category.

Unconventional and exciting

An Evening with Sphinx Virtuosi. Hailed as "top-notch" by the New York Times, these musicians have performed at the Grammy Awards and with superstars like Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Oct. 9, 2024.

Merge: Halloween Edition. Dress up and get your ghoul on at this immersive, high-voltage Halloween party featuring symphonic and electronic spooky tunes. Oct. 17 & 19, 2024.

Heroes: A Video Game Symphony. Enjoy visuals and music from some of the most popular video games of all time, including Assassin's Creed, Dragon Age, Fallout, Halo, Mass Effect, Skyrim, World of Warcraft, and more. Oct. 12, 2024.

Cirque de Noël. Entertaining family this Christmas? Give them an unforgettable experience at this circus-meets-symphony show featuring acrobatics and musical holiday favorites. Dec. 19-22, 2024.

Musical nostalgia

The Music of Queen. Elevated by the full power of the Charlotte Symphony, vocalist MiG Ayesa will channel Freddie Mercury's signature sound in Queen's greatest songs, like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," "Somebody to Love," and more. Nov. 1-2, 2024.

Disco Fever. Jam out to groovy hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "It's Raining Men" performed by CSO and the Disco Fever singers. Jan. 17-18, 2025.

Havana Nights. An evening of Latin music from Spain and Cuba performed by the Mambo Kings and vocalist Camille Zamora. Feb. 21-22, 2025.

Inspired by TikTok

Beethoven x Beyoncé. In this innovative musical fusion, Beyoncé's iconic hits like "Crazy in Love" and "Texas Hold 'Em" are seamlessly interwoven with Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. Nov. 15-16, 2024.

Cody Fry Christmas. Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Cody Fry will join the Charlotte Symphony and the Charlotte Master Chorale to perform special arrangements of holiday classics. Dec. 5-7, 2024.

Iconic movies

The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert. Join the Charlotte Symphony as they perform the memorable score while the legendary family movie plays on the big screen. November 29-30, 2024.

Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert. Watch the escapades of Jack Sparrow while the CSO performs the movie's soundtrack. June 6-7, 2025.

For the whole family

The Composer is Dead. Grey Seal Puppets joins the CSO for Lemony Snicket's whimsical murder mystery tale that cleverly introduces the audience to all the instruments of the orchestra in this theatrical, family-friendly whodunnit. Nov. 16, 2024.

Holiday Pops. Enjoy classic carols and special surprises from Santa and friends at this holiday celebration for all ages. Dec. 7, 2024.

How to Train Your Dragon in Concert. Watch the beloved movie in HD while the Charlotte Symphony performs John Powell's Oscar-nominated musical score. March 14-15, 2025.

Essential masterworks

Bach & Mozart. "Brilliant pianist" (The New York Times) Orion Weiss will bridge the Baroque and Classical eras with Bach, Stravinsky and Mozart. Jan. 10-12, 2025.

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. Acclaimed pianist Louis Schwizgebel will perform Rachmaninoff's demanding and expressive Piano Concerto No. 2. March 7-8, 2025.

Debussy's La Mer. Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees will lead the CSO in a colorful program culminating in Debussy's cherished symphonic portrait of the sea, La Mer. April 25-26, 2025.

Bernstein & Copland. For the CSO's '24-'25 season finale, Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green returns to lead the CSO in twentieth-century works, from Bernstein to Copland. May 16-18, 2025.

Create your own series

Can't choose just one of the concerts? We don't blame you.

The solution: Build your own ticket package of four, six or eight concerts to get up to 50% off the cost of single tickets.

• Subscribers also get free and easy exchanges for another performance of the same concert and 10% off additional tickets & concerts with priority access.

Get your tickets for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's '24-'25 season.