Open the Symphony Season Under the Stars at the Rady Shell

There’s something about a warm San Diego evening, an open-air stage on the waterfront, and a full orchestra in full flight that hits differently than almost any other experience this city offers.

The San Diego Symphony‘s Opening Night at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park delivers exactly that – and this year’s program is as good as it gets.

A Lineup Built for a Big Night

Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare opens the summer season with three works that build in emotional weight from the first note to the last.

Shostakovich’s Festive Overture opens at full throttle – a rush of brass and rhythm that sets the tone before Stefan Jackiw takes center stage for Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, lyrical and rhythmically unpredictable in equal measure.

Then comes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 – a work that moves through doubt and longing before arriving at something close to pure triumph. Hearing it outdoors, under open sky, with a world-class orchestra, is a different experience altogether.

The Rady Shell on a Summer Night

If you haven’t been out to the Shell yet, Opening Night is as good an occasion as any to fix that. The venue sits right on the waterfront in Jacobs Park, and the combination of the natural setting, the bay air, and a full orchestra playing at this level is the kind of thing that reminds you why you live here.

Bring a layer – evenings can cool off along the water – and get there early enough to settle in before the first note.

See you there!

Opening Night at The Rady Shell is the kind of evening that sets the tone for a whole summer. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it from the very first night.

📆 Friday, June 26, 2026 | 7:30 PM
📍 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ Find more details here

See you there, San Diego!