The amber glow of flickering flameless candles bounces off stained-glass windows in a historic church as a string quartet plays a reimagined version of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”
The whole sanctuary shimmering, it’s an intimate evening of music, with every pluck and bow feeling more like eavesdropping on a private conversation than a public performance.
A wave of concerts by LED candlelight is making its way through South Florida, with an illuminated lineup that includes pop-up performances, a summer symphony series and a one-time show chock-full of rock anthems.
Find the right glow for you at atmospheric live music experiences taking place at a variety of venues throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
Candlelight
The aptly-named Candelight concerts were launched in 2019 by Fever, a New York City-based event producer, with the goal of making classical music more accessible to a wider audience, according to company spokesman Oliver Davies.
“The concept reimagined the traditional concert format by introducing shorter, 60-minute performances in unique venues, combined with a more diverse repertoire that includes both classical masterpieces and modern music tributes,” he said. “Since then, Candlelight has grown rapidly, reaching hundreds of cities in over 40 countries and welcoming millions of attendees worldwide.”
These unique venues include not only churches and historic buildings, but also cultural and arts centers, landmarks and scenic outdoor spaces.
“The atmosphere is designed to feel warm and welcoming, with close proximity to the performers and moments of interaction throughout the show,” Davies said. “The result is a more relaxed, engaging alternative to traditional classical concerts — one that prioritizes emotional connection and accessibility.”
A string quartet played spooky classics during a Candlelight concert last October at the First Presbyterian Church of West Palm Beach. (Kari Barnett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Helping fuel Candlelight’s popularity are the classical reinterpretations across pop, rock and jazz genres, among others. Local musicians perform a curated program that blends everything from Vivaldi and Chopin to Coldplay and Queen, Davies said.
Upcoming Fort Lauderdale shows include a “Tribute to Bad Bunny” at Savor Cinema (May 16) as well as tributes to ABBA and to Coldplay/Imagine Dragons at The Sanctuary Church FTL (both May 30).
The First Presbyterian Church of West Palm Beach will feature tributes to Queen and Fleetwood Mac (May 23) as well as to The Beatles and “90s Hip-Hop on Strings” (May 30).
“Themed experiences tied to film, television and special occasions such as ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas tend to perform especially well,” Davies said.
Fever analyzes audience feedback and cultural trends to continuously refresh programming, explore different themes and expand into new cities and venues, he said.
“One of the most distinctive aspects of Candlelight is its ability to create meaningful, memorable moments,” Davies said.
If you go: Ticket prices vary. Find shows throughout South Florida at candlelightexperience.com.
The Summer with the Symphony chamber series will include musicians Huifang Chen (violin), Tao Lin (piano) and Christopher Glansdorp (cello). (Catherine Lan/South Florida Symphony Orchestra/Courtesy)
South Florida Symphony Orchestra
The Summer with the Symphony chamber music series returns with seven candlelit concerts from May 14 to July 24 in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables and Key West. Plus, you can meet and greet the musicians after shows.
“The series got a post-pandemic reimagining, launched in 2021 as Summer with the Symphony, as a more immersive and intimate experience,” said Sebrina María Alfonso, South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s music director. “Chamber music, by its very definition, is meant to be played in smaller rooms, and this style of music was originally performed in chambers such as bedrooms, private libraries and salons.”
She said the summer performances imbue a “warm and inviting” atmosphere.
“Summer is hot in Florida, why not cool down with beautiful music and a relaxing ambience?” Alfonso said. “The candlelight adds a nice soft glow to the concerts, making them feel more intimate.”
The series also helps bridge the gap during a time when many performing arts organizations go dark in the spring and reawaken in the fall, she said.
“Our chamber series helps us stay connected to our audiences when the pace is slower and [helps] us to meet new music lovers who may not visit us in the concert hall,” Alfonso said. “It’s a great way to keep cultural offerings flowing and accessible during the off-season, and most importantly, they’re fun.”
The musical selections are curated by South Florida Symphony Orchestra pianist Catherine Lan.
South Florida Symphony Orchestra pianist Catherine Lan has curated the program for Summer with the Symphony. (Catherine Lan/South Florida Symphony Orchestra/Courtesy)
“She does a terrific job blending well-known masterpieces with lesser-known or less frequently performed works,” Alfonso said. “For example, we open the series in May with Schubert’s super popular Piano Quintet in A major, also known as ‘The Trout.’ Anyone with a Samsung washing machine has heard the jingle. That’s the tune that’s played when it’s time to put your clothes in the dryer. People love it.”
June puts the focus on female composers Louise Farrenc and Dora Pejačević, while July pairs the sounds of Antonín Dvořák with Ernő Dohnányi, who both blend native folk rhythms into classical music, she said.
Stay after the concert to mingle with the musicians. “Chef extraordinaire Lenore Nolan Ryan graciously prepares a delicious libation and a sweet treat to cap a perfect evening of music,” Alfonso said.
If you go: General admission tickets for each program are $40 ($20 for students) with a three-concert package available for $99. For the Key West performance, tickets range from $33.44 to $49.04. Visit southfloridasymphony.org.
The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight
“Ladies and gentleman, we gather here today to witness the marriage of classical music and the power of rock.”
That’s the booming introduction to The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight, which is bringing its 90-minute spectacle to the Kravis Center’s Dreyfoos Concert Hall in West Palm Beach at 8 p.m. Nov. 25.
This show is not affiliated with Fever and is quite the departure from the cozy vibes of some other candlelight concerts. Instead, picture masked musicians, costumed singers, fog machines, strobe lights and gothic cathedral and skull decor.
A group of 14 classical musicians from around the world blend styles to perform popular songs from Metallica, AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, Evanescence, Aerosmith and The Cranberries, among other bands.
If you go: Ticket prices range from $40.25 to $126.50. Visit kravis.org.