Lincoln Square is a vibrant center for the arts, where music, dance, theater, and film come together to offer world-class performances throughout the 2025–26 season. From iconic orchestras to intimate ensembles, the neighborhood is alive with creativity in every corner. Audiences can experience premieres, revivals, and innovative programming that highlight both established and emerging artists. Explore performances across the neighborhood and enjoy everything Lincoln Square has to offer this year.
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic recently began its 2025–26 season on September 9, 2025, under Music and Artistic Director Designate Gustavo Dudamel. Early highlights include the Opening Gala on September 25, followed by programs such as Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony with Korngold’s Violin Concerto from October 23-25 and the Dvořák New World Symphony from December 3–6. In the spring, Dudamel and Artist-in-Residence Sheku Kanneh-Mason perform Bloch’s Schelomo, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and Ellen Reid’s Earth Between Oceans from April 30 to May 2, 2026, offering audiences a blend of iconic repertoire and compelling contemporary works. The season also features The Art of the Score, a program exploring the rich collaboration between film and symphonic music. For tickets, program details, and the full season lineup, visit the New York Philharmonic website.
Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players
Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players celebrates its 25th season with concerts at Good Shepherd Church (152 West 66th Street), which began on September 8. Concerts are every Monday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, with the next performance on September 15 with Mozart’s Admirers. The season includes Ties to Beethoven on October 13, Loving Bach on December 15, Paris Dazzles on March 23, and programs highlighting Brahms, Schumann, Mahler, and other composers through the Grand Finale on May 11. With affordable ticket prices of $17 and $25, Jupiter offers music lovers a chance to experience orchestral brilliance while supporting its continuing mission. Find performance dates and ticket options on the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players website.
Lincoln Center Presents
Lincoln Center Presents’ 2025–26 season is already underway, offering year-round programming that celebrates artists and culture. Highlights include a year-long tribute to composer Jeanine Tesori, the Legacies of San Juan Hill Festival (October 14–29), the return of Festival of Firsts and American Songbook, and free, family-friendly events in the David Rubenstein Atrium nearly every night. The season features both traditional and contemporary works across multiple stages, with full details available on Lincoln Center’s website.
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet’s (NYCB) 2025–26 season at the David H. Koch Theater begins September 16, 2025, and runs through May 31, 2026. The Fall Season highlights include the NYCB premiere of Justin Peck’s Heatscape on September 25–26 and October 4–5, as well as a world premiere by Jamar Roberts for the Fall Fashion Gala on October 8. The Nutcracker® follows from November 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026. The Winter Season features world premieres by Justin Peck (January 29–February 7) and Alexei Ratmansky (February 5–25), while the Spring Season includes Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum (May 1–20) and Tiler Peck’s world premiere on May 7 at the Spring Gala. The season concludes with Megan Fairchild’s farewell performance as Swanilda in Coppélia from May 22–31, 2026. See the full performance schedule, including galas and premieres, and purchase tickets on the New York City Ballet website.
Juilliard
Juilliard’s 2025–26 season offers over 700 performances in music, dance, and drama, with tickets priced at $50 or less, making it easy to experience the next generation of exceptional artists. The season kicks off with the return of the Juilliard Fall Festival (September 12-20) and concludes with the Juilliard Orchestra led by JoAnn Falletta. Audiences can look forward to world premieres from composers Anna Clyne, Joan Tower, Eunike Tanzil, and Paola Prestini, innovative choreography from Gianna Reisen, My’Kal Stromile, and Studio Wayne McGregor, and a full range of interdisciplinary collaborations that highlight the school’s creativity and artistry. View the complete season of music, dance, and drama performances, and secure tickets on Juilliard’s website.
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 38th season, Mother Africa, explores the connections between African and American musical traditions. The fall season opens September 18–20, 2025, with the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Afro! at Rose Theater, alongside Somi’s Mother Africa Salon residency and Dizzy’s Late Night Sessions with Dandy Wellington and Joel Ross. Holiday programming features Big Band Holidays (December 16–21) and Sherman Irby’s A Very Irby Christmas (December 24). The season continues throughout the spring and concludes with celebratory concerts honoring jazz greats and emerging artists through June 2026. Across Rose Theater, Dizzy’s Club, and The Appel Room, the season celebrates jazz’s living, evolving legacy. Check out the full concert lineup and ticket information on the Jazz at Lincoln Center website.
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2025–26 season opens September 21, 2025, with the Met premiere of Mason Bates’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin (September 21–October 11). Other notable new productions include Bellini’s La Sonnambula (October 6–November 1), I Puritani for the New Year’s Eve Gala (December 31, 2025–January 10, 2026), Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (March 9–April 2, 2026), Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence (April 6–29, 2026), and Gabriela Lena Frank’s El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego (May 14–June 5, 2026). Repertory revivals feature Puccini’s La Bohème (October 21–May 2, 2026) and Turandot (September 23–June 6, 2026), Bizet’s Carmen (October 28–January 23, 2026), Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin (April 20–May 16, 2026), and more. Eight productions will be broadcast globally through the Met: Live in HD series. Discover all productions, performance dates, and ticket options on the Met Opera website.
Lincoln Center Theater
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025–26 season opens on September 26 with Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. At the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, the U.S. premiere of Kyoto begins previews on October 8, followed by the holiday production Amahl and the Night Visitors starring Joyce DiDonato on December 16. Later in the season, Night Side Songs previews February 14, 2026, and A Woman Among Women previews May 16, 2026, at the Claire Tow Theater. The season blends revivals, new plays, musicals, and innovative collaborations. See show schedules, performance details, and ticket availability on the Lincoln Center Theater website.
Kaufman Music Center
Kaufman Music Center’s 2025–26 season, led by Artists-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery, Jonathan Biss, and Chanticleer, celebrates innovation and artistry across music and performance. The fall season opens on September 29 with Romie de Guise-Langlois performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, followed by Simone Dinnerstein with Baroklyn on October 21 and the Kronos Quartet on November 14. Spring highlights include Leyla McCalla on March 27 and the Poiesis Quartet on April 10, with Jonathan Biss performing piano on May 12. Signature series include Broadway Close Up (October 27, November 17, and December 8), the New York Festival of Song (November 20, February 12, March 11, and April 7), the Contemporary Music Festival (March 15), and 100 Years of American Piano Music (June 5–6, 2026). Explore the season’s performances, series, and ticket information on the Kaufman Music Center website.
Film at Lincoln Center
Film at Lincoln Center presents the 63rd New York Film Festival (September 26–October 13), featuring a curated selection of films from around the world. The festival includes highly anticipated premieres and showcases work from acclaimed directors such as Luca Guadagnino, Jim Jarmusch, and Bradley Cooper. Beyond NYFF, the organization offers year-round programming, including screenings, festivals, and filmmaker talkbacks, highlighting both classic and contemporary cinema. Audiences can experience retrospectives, new releases, and special events across multiple venues throughout the year. Find screening times, festival details, and ticket information on the Film at Lincoln Center website.
The Chamber Music Society
The Chamber Music Society’s 2025–26 season, The Magnificent Violin, opens on October 19, 2025, with The Composer’s Violinist: Joseph Joachim at Alice Tully Hall. The season includes the Baroque Festival on December 12, 14, and 16, presenting a rich selection of Baroque masterpieces, and the Winter Festival: Violin Celebration from February 20 to March 8, 2026, tracing the violin’s evolution from Bach to Beethoven, culminating in a tribute to Fritz Kreisler. The season closes with the Schubertiade on May 17, 2026, a multi-part concert exploring Schubert’s four-hand piano music, violin-and-piano works, and the profound Trio in E-flat major. Throughout the season, audiences can enjoy chamber ensembles, lectures, mentor sessions, and a dynamic array of performances that celebrate the violin’s artistry and legacy. View concert dates, series information, and purchase tickets on the Chamber Music Society website.
This season, Lincoln Square invites you to experience unforgettable performances, innovative collaborations, and family-friendly events across its theaters, concert halls, and film venues. Discover new voices, celebrate classics, and immerse yourself in the arts. Make the most of your visit by enjoying a meal at one of our neighborhood restaurants before or after an event—visit our Neighborhood Guide to find an eatery and plan your outing.
Photo Credit: Sara Mearns and the Company in George Balanchine’s Swan Lake. Photo credit: Erin Baiano
