KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 22, 2026) — The Kansas City Symphony invites audiences to experience a vibrant fall lineup featuring cinematic spectacles, world-renowned classical artists, beloved popular music and family-friendly performances. Whether it’s Yo-Yo Ma performing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, the U.S. premiere of Hans Zimmer’s iconic Interstellar score performed live to picture, upbeat Motown favorites or spooky Halloween thrills, the Symphony’s fall calendar offers a diverse lineup of live music experiences for every kind of concertgoer. 

Specials, Pops, Family Shows and More 

Windborne’s The Music of Tom Petty — Sept. 26 | TICKETS
Hear the songs you know with guitars, vocals and rock-and-roll energy, amplified by the scale and power of the Symphony. It’s full-band, full-orchestra Petty, built for singing along. 

Yo-Yo Ma — Sept. 30 | TICKETS
Experience Yo-Yo Ma’s unparalleled artistry live as he performs Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, one of the greatest and most popular cello concertos of all time. 

Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown — Oct. 16–18 | TICKETS
This soulful and high-energy program celebrates the iconic sound of the Motown era with dynamic guest vocalists, featuring hits from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and more. 

Interstellar Live — Oct. 23–25 | TICKETS
Experience Christopher Nolan’s Oscar®-winning space epic back on the big screen, with Hans Zimmer’s revelatory score performed by KCS and the film’s original organist, Roger Sayer. This is the first time Interstellar has been played live with an orchestra in the U.S. — don’t miss it! 

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde — Oct. 28 | TICKETS
Get ready for Halloween with a spooky night of thrills and chills in Helzberg Hall; this silent film screening is joined by audience favorite Dorothy Papadakos playing a live, improvised organ accompaniment. 

Buckets N Boards — Nov. 8 | TICKETS
Perfect for kids, families and audiences of all ages, Buckets N Boards returns with their Blue Man Group–style show featuring precision percussion, dynamic dancing and inventive instrumentation. 

The Music of Studio Ghibli — Nov. 14 | TICKETS
Featuring music from “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away,” this symphonic tribute brings beloved stories and unforgettable scores to life with the full power of the Kansas City Symphony. 

Experience the Magic of Live Classical Music 

World-renowned musicians, including guest violinists Augustin Hadelich and Stella Chen, will take the stage at Helzberg Hall this fall to play alongside the Kansas City Symphony in a series of dazzling concertos across eras and styles. 

  • Oct. 2–4: The Rite of Spring, featuring Augustin Hadelich | TICKETS 
  • Oct. 9–11: The Planets, featuring KCS’ MingYu Hsu | TICKETS 
  • Oct. 14: Baroque at 7:00: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, featuring KCS’ Jun Iwasaki | TICKETS 
  • Oct. 30–Nov. 1: Prokofiev’s Sixth and Barber’s Violin Concerto, featuring Stella Chen | TICKETS 

Learn more or sign up for the Symphony’s newsletter to receive updates at kcsymphony.org.  

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About The Kansas City Symphony
In only its 45th season, the Kansas City Symphony has already become one of America’s most vibrant major orchestras and has gained national and international recognition. At its orchestral home of Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Symphony serves the Kansas City metropolitan region of more than 2.2 million people.   

The Symphony’s 80 full-time musicians present a diverse and dynamic range of orchestral and chamber music performances each season under the artistic leadership of music director Matthias Pintscher, an internationally acclaimed conductor and composer who regularly conducts many of the world’s leading orchestras and opera companies. 

In addition to concerts in Helzberg Hall, Symphony musicians perform throughout the region on an innovative portable stage, the Mobile Music Box. The Symphony also serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, adding to the rich cultural experiences that these organizations offer to the community. 

For more information, visit www.kcsymphony.org.