Image: Visit Victoria
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Pack up a picnic and prepare yourself for the perfect symphonic soirée. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is coming back with their free concerts at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. This time, they will present four free concerts for the first time in 13 years. Listen to classics like Beethoven, feel swept away by compositions from video games and more. Settle in for a dreamy show under the stars on February 10, 11, 13 and 14.
Supplied/Credit: Laura Manariti Sidney Myer Free Concerts 2026
There have been free concerts at Sidney Myer Music Bowl since 1929, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have taken over this Melbourne tradition since 1959. Take part in this summer program, and listen to incredible Australian composers, conductors and voices.
Bookings are not required for the free concert series. Gates open at 5pm, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity is reached, the entry will be closed, so it’s best to arrive early if you don’t want to miss out. Concerts will begin at 7:30pm, and on Saturday, February 14, the Melbourne Youth Orchestra will do a Curtain Raiser performance at 5:30pm.
You’re welcome to bring a picnic, and there will also be food and drink available for purchase at the venue. It’s also best if you bring a picnic rug, or something for you to sit on. Just note that you can’t bring in any chairs higher than 20cm off the ground, as it would obstruct the view of the people behind you.
Supplied/Credit: Mark Gambino Here is the program: Symphonic Celebration
When: Tuesday, February 10
The MSO has been performing for over 120 years, and to celebrate the occasion, you can look forward to plenty of fan favourites, as well as the world premiere of a new fanfare from the 2026 Young Composer in Residence, Andrew Aronowicz. Conducted by Leonard Weiss, you can expect the return of Holy Harrison’s 2021 commission Hellbent, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No.1, which was performed at the MSO’s first concert in 1906, and Beethoven’s legendary Symphony No.5.
Australian Youth Orchestra
When: Wednesday, February 11
80 young musicians will take the stage, performing under the baton of GRAMMY Award-winning conductor Christian Reif. Together, they will perform a genre-blending program, pairing Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1945), with the soundscapes of Nobuo Uematsu’s Final Fantasy IX Suite. They will also present Anna Clyne’s cinematic This Midnight Hour, and Daniel Nelson’s imaginative Steampunk Blizzard.
Image: Visit Victoria MSO x Find Your Voice Collective | Sonder
When: Friday, February 13
The Warrnambool-based Find Your Voice Collective (FYVC) will take the stage, marking the culmination of a year-long collaboration with the MSO. This program celebrates the full spectrum of humanity, showcasing artists with lived experience of disability and a 150-voice accessible choir and band. Hear original works written by d/Deaf & Disabled artists, conducted by Benjamin Northey.
50 Years of ABC Classic
When: Saturday, February 14
The final, Valentine’s Day concert will celebrate 50 years with ABC Classic radio. Conducted by Benjamin Northey, you can expect a program of all-Australian works, including the world-premiere of young composer Ella Macens. There will be a curtain-raiser performance of Warta-Kiki at 5:30pm, bringing the Mutti Mutti singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra.
If you can’t make it to the shows in person, all four concerts will be broadcast live on YouTube and ABC Classic. Learn more about the concerts here.