Carnegie Hall’s 2025-26 Season to feature Broadway, Jazz, and the American Songbook

In addition to its exciting classical programming, the New York institution will present American jazz and Broadway stars including Harry Connick Jr., Patti LuPone, and Heather Headley

Carnegie Hall, in New York, announced its 2025-26 season today, which includes approximately 170 concerts, plus education and social impact programs created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.

The new season starts on Tuesday, October 7 with a celebratory Opening Night Gala performance featuring Daniel Harding takes the stage with the NYO-USA All-Stars — an ensemble of exceptional musicians who are all alumni of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) — plus pianist Yuja Wang.

A major focus of the season is a wide variety of programming showcasing jazz, selections from Broadway, and the American songbook. “The Originals” series will see entertainer Harry Connick Jr. make his Carnegie Hall headlining debut. Other artists to be featured in the series include Broadway actress Shoshana Bean, Grammy and Emmy Award-nominated Cheyenne Jackson, three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone, and Broadway star Heather Headley.

Furthermore, The New York Pops and Music Director Steven Reineke will perform in six programs, plus singer-songwriter Michael Feinstein returns for three concerts celebrating classics from the Great American Songbook.

A major centerpiece of its season will take place from January through July 2026, entitled United in Sound: America at 250. This project will feature a wide variety of music reflecting the United States 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will explore diverse voices and influences that have shaped, and continue to shape, the American identity — including jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, bluegrass, classical, Broadway, and film music.

In the classical realm, the Perspectives series includes curated concerts by four internationally acclaimed musicians: Marin Alsop, Lang Lang, Isabel Leonard, and Maxim Vengerov.

The Hall’s Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair for the 2025–2026 season will be composer Arvo Pärt. Leading artists will explore his music throughout seven Carnegie Hall concerts — including Midori, Nico Muhly, and Gidon Kremer, among others.

Orchestra highlights include, but are not limited to the Vienna Philharmonic with Andris Nelsons; London’s Philharmonia Orchestra in their first Carnegie Hall appearances in nearly 20 years; Cristian Mǎcelaru with the Orchestre National de France; Lahav Shani with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; and Jaap van Zweden conducting the Seoul Philharmonic.

Among the American orchestras performing next season include Klaus Mäkelä and his first appearance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as their Music Director Designate; Gianandrea Noseda and the National Symphony Orchestra; and Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.