In 2026, ABC Classic is 50 years young. We’re celebrating five decades of broadcasting with a year-long program of concerts, special broadcasts and new initiatives.
Your favourite presenters will be joined by a few new faces and some new programs.
Headlining this milestone year, award-winning pianist Andrea Lam and journalist, presenter, and classical music enthusiast Leigh Sales both join the ABC Classic line-up.
Fresh from the highly popular ABC TV series The Piano, Lam will present The Art of the Piano on Sunday evenings, dedicated to celebrating one of the world’s most popular instruments.
Bringing her warmth, insight, and passion for classical music to audiences nationwide, Sales will host a new Saturday program during the anniversary months.
Kicking off our 50th birthday celebrations on 24 January
Celebrations begin on Saturday 24 January, the anniversary of ABC Classic’s first broadcast, with a full day of music and memories, from 6am.
The day will feature a curated retrospective of the network’s rich history, including archival recordings, ‘best of’ live concerts, tributes from past and current presenters, listener stories, and memorable moments from five decades of sharing classical music with Australia.
Key 50th birthday activity across the year includes:
A celebratory day of programs on Saturday 24 JanuaryA very special edition of the ABC Classic 100 countdown in June, including the Classic 100 in Concert with the Melbourne Symphony OrchestraThe much-anticipated return of the ABC Young Performers Awards (YPAs) supported by a new Young Performers program throughout the year50 Classical Icons – a weekly program featuring iconic classical musicians who have shaped the genreA landmark concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, broadcast liveStand-out, special short-run series including an exploration of Minimalism and a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dame Joan SutherlandA reinvigorated music commissioning scheme supporting a greater range of Australian composers at all stages of their careers.
“It’s an honour to be part of ABC Classic at such a significant moment in our history. As we celebrate 50 years of broadcasting, we’re proud to reflect on the legacy of this iconic network while looking ahead to its future,” says Head of ABC Classic and ABC Jazz, Philip Noyce.
“I’m excited to work with our talented team in 2026 to continue delivering exceptional classical music experiences to audiences across Australia.”
The ABC Young Performers Awards return to ABC Classic
Australia’s most prestigious classical music competition the ABC Young Performers Awards returns to ABC Classic in 2026.
Open to performers aged 31 and under, the Awards provide a national platform for artists to launch their professional careers.
Over more than 80 years, the competition has showcased some of Australia’s leading musicians like Amy Dickson, Simon Tedeschi, Emily Sun and Eliza Shephard.
Across three high-stakes rounds, this career-launching competition will uncover Australia’s most exceptional young instrumentalists, culminating in a spectacular Grand Final performance in November 2026.
Being at the heart of classical music in Australia
Alongside our refreshed programming schedule, ABC Classic remains at the heart of Australia’s live classical music sector in 2026.
For the first time in the station’s history, performances from every state and territory will feature across the year.Â
More than 200 concerts, from symphony halls to intimate chamber venues, opera stages to regional festivals, will be recorded, including twice as many opera productions.Â
A brilliant array of concerts will also be broadcast live on-air, giving listeners exclusive access to landmark performances as they happen.Â
New works by both emerging and established Australian composers will be commissioned throughout the year, as ABC Classic continues to support and shape the future of classical music in Australia.Â
We look forward to you joining us during this landmark year as the network celebrates 50 years of sharing the greatest classical music with Australia.
Trusted weekday staples alongside new additions
Our refreshed weekday program schedule for 2026 includes bespoke 50th anniversary content alongside the network’s trusted weekday daily staples: programs presented by Megan Burslem, Russell Torrance, Genevieve Lang and Vanessa Hughes.
New at 6pm Monday to Thursday is Unwind with Greta Bradman, a program to ease listeners into the evening.
From 7pm, there is a mix of familiar and new programs, with focuses ranging from young performers and iconic classical artists, to brass and wind repertoire.
Weekday line-upMonday-Friday at 5am — Dawn ChorusMonday-Friday at 6am — ABC Classic Breakfast with Megan BurslemMonday-Friday at 9am — Russell TorranceMonday-Friday at 1pm — Lunchtime concert with Genevieve LangMonday-Friday at 3pm — ABC Classic Drive with Vanessa HughesMonday-Thursday at 6pm — Unwind: Greta Bradman hosts a new program to ease you into the eveningMonday at 7pm — Young Performers: Nina Korbe spotlights rising stars and provides dedicated coverage of the ABC Young Performers AwardsTuesday at 7pm — 50 Classical Icons: Mairi Nicolson explores iconic musicians who have shaped the genreWednesday at 7pm — Bandstand: Lucas Burns celebrates brass and wind repertoireThursday at 7pm — Passenger: Stéphanie Kabanyana Kanyandekwe takes you on musical journeys across global destinationsMonday-Friday Evening Concert at 8pm — Evening Concert: Joel Carnegie presents the greatest live concerts from Australia and abroadFriday 6pm-8pm — Alice Keath presents a new program at the start of the weekendMonday-Thursday at 11pm — Peaceful Piano with Taj AldeebFriday at 11pm — Game Show with Meena ShamalyMonday-Friday at midnight — Night Music with Luke Altman and Danielle McGraneFamiliar favourites and fresh additions to the weekend
Ed Le Brocq kick-starts your weekend at the new time of 7am, Saturdays and Sundays.
At 10am on Saturday, Alice Keath brings you a new live program and Danielle McGrane keeps you company from 10am on Sundays.
Leigh Sales joins you for two hours from 3pm on Saturdays, followed by Music Class with Ed Le Brocq and Genevieve Lang.
Saturday evening is the home of opera, with Mairi Nicolson bringing you The Opera Show and a full opera broadcast weekly in Saturday Night at the Opera.
Get your Baroque fix with Alice Keath from 3pm Sunday, followed by What’s On at 5pm.
At 6pm, Mairi Nicolson brings you a brand-new program Australia Plays, celebrating solely Australian performers, compositions, and exclusive live studio sessions.
We also welcome two new voices to ABC Classic: Bailey Pickles and Lolita Emmanuel, who will host a new late-night hour of contemporary and ambient classical music.
Weekend program line-upSaturday-Sunday at 5am — Dawn ChorusSaturday-Sunday at 7am — ABC Classic Breakfast with Ed Le BrocqSaturday-Sunday at 1pm — Lunchtime Concert with Stéphanie Kabanyana KanyandekweSaturday 10am — Alice Keath hosts a new live program of legendary recordings alongside eclectic new discoveriesSaturday at 3pm — Leigh Sales is your host during the ABC Classic anniversary monthsSaturday at 5pm — Music Class with Ed Le Brocq and Genevieve Lang / seasonal special seriesSaturday at 6pm — Screen Sounds with Dan GoldingSaturday at 8pm — The Opera Show with Mairi NicolsonSaturday at 9pm — Saturday Night at the Opera with Mairi NicolsonSunday at 10am — Danielle McGraneSunday at 3pm — Sunday Baroque with Alice KeathSunday at 5pm — What’s On with Alice KeathSunday at 6pm — Australia Plays with Mairi Nicolson: a new program celebrating Australian performers, composition, and exclusive studio sessionsSunday at 8pm — Various interview programs including Duet with Tamara-Anna Cislowska, The Margaret Throsby Interviews, and Legends with Mairi NicholsonSunday at 9pm — The Art of the Piano with Andrea LamSunday at 10pm — For The God Who Sings with Stephen WatkinsSaturday-Sunday at midnight — Luminous: with Bailey Pickles (Saturday) and Lolita Emmanuel (Sunday)Saturday-Sunday at 1am — Night Music with Lucas Burns