What should I wear to the orchestra? It’s one of the Calgary Philharmonic’s most frequently asked questions. Literally! The answer is, quite simply, whatever makes you feel most comfortable. A sharp suit or a fancy gown? Dynamite. Your favourite pair of Chucks and an Iron Maiden T-shirt? Rock on.

The fact is, there are as many options for things to wear to the philharmonic as there are different kinds of concerts in the Calgary Phil’s 2025/2026 season. Celebrating its 70th anniversary with 70 concerts, the Phil has performances for every age and all tastes. These run the gamut from beloved classics (Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, The Best of Barber: Adagio + More, Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, etc.) to rockin’ pops (The Music of Sting + the Police, The Music of the Beatles, and more) to epic dance parties (SYNTHONY: Orchestra Meets EDM, Dance Dance Disco, Latin Pop Hits) to exciting guest stars (An Evening with Lang Lang, Vivek Shraya: One Night Only, Hans Graf Returns: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, etc.). Plus: kids and family concerts, holiday concerts, blockbuster movie concerts, education concerts, and grand collaborations with the likes of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and One Yellow Rabbit, among others.

Of course, sometimes having too much choice can be a bit overwhelming, so here are a few suggested concert-outfit combos to help you get inspired.

1. Steve Hackman’s Skull + Bones (October 31) — This one is your chance to get truly creative in your choice of apparel. Dig out those ghostly bedsheets, dollar-store Dracula capes, and... pink bunny shoes... because we’re having a ghouls’ night out with the Orchestra on Halloween. The concert features the always innovative Steve Hackman applying his trademark symphonic fusions to spine-tingling classics such as The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Danse Macabre, transforming them into rave anthems and dance floor killers
2. Nothing Compares: The Music of Prince (November 8) — if there’s any purple in your closet, this is THE occasion for it. Also acceptable: frilly shirts, a touch of lace, intricately embroidered Edwardian jackets, and, if you're really daring, leather chaps. Whatever you choose, ‘Let’s Go Crazy.’ This concert was originally created by the Perth Symphony Orchestra, who also first produced Unplugged: Nirvana Reimagined, a sold-out smash hit for the Calgary Phil last season. All of your funkiest favourites will be on tap: Little Red Corvette, When Doves Cry, Raspberry Beret, and so much more.
3. Romantic Ravel (February 13 + 14) — There’s no better occasion for dressing to impress than a date to the Calgary Phil’s Valentine’s weekend concerts. How you define ‘dressing up’ is entirely up to you, of course. As is the notion of what constitutes a date: make it a gal-en-tines, a pal-en-tines, or a showing-some-love-for-yourself-en-tines. Whatever you choose, be prepared to be swept up in romance of three of Maurice Ravel’s loveliest works, rhapsodically performed by the Orchestra with conductor Natalia Ponomarchuk. For the proverbial cherry on top, Canadian piano phenom Stewart Goodyear performs Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5.
4. IX: Shostakovich (February 27 + 28) — Why not pair a Classics concert with classic brands? Sure, that could mean Burberry or Brooks Brothers, but you’re also sure to be a knockout with retro-style Vans and a pair of Levi’s. It certainly fits the vibe of Dimitri Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony, which was described by Leornard Bernstein as being “the least predictable and most surprising Ninth there is — short, hilarious, circus-y — an all-out fiesta...” Conductor Jessica Cottis leads the Orchestra for both performances, which also include Calgary Phil Concertmaster Diana Cohen taking centre stage as soloist for Max Bruch's riveting and romantic First Violin Concerto.
5. Tenille Townes + The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (April 25) — No need to wait until July to dig those cowboy boots out of your closet. Whether you opt to sport them with a Canadian Tuxedo or a rhinestone encrusted Nudie Suit, you’re sure to have a hootin’ ‘n hollerin’ good time as Canadian country sensation Tenille Townes performs with the Calgary Phil for the annual Taylor Family Foundation concert (but maybe leave the cowboy hat at home — you wouldn’t want to muss up the sight-lines for your neighbours!).

See you in the concert hall!