10 QSO Concerts to Gift Your Loved Ones This Christmas
Blog ·
Forget BOREdinary presents this Christmas and step away from screens and socks by giving the gift of an unforgettable concert experience that stays with you long after the holiday season ends. With 2025 promising to be another year packed with amazing live concerts and performances, we are excited to share with Queensland an exceptionally diverse line-up of concerts. From Shakespeare, circus, cinema, spirituality, live singing and beloved classical masterpiece, these ten Queensland Symphony Orchestra concerts are the perfect gift of a fun day (or evening) out for the whole family!
# 10 QSO Concerts to Gift Your Loved Ones This Christmas
1. Our Classical Favourites | 8 + 9 February – QPAC Concert Hall
Like a jukebox of classical music’s greatest hits, this carefully curated selection has something that will make everyone’s hearts hum! Including Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet, Khachaturian’s Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia from Spartacus and Elgar’s famed Nimrod from Enigma Variations.
The perfect gift for newcomers and seasoned concertgoers alike, ideally to pair with lunch or dinner in South Brisbane.
2. Clerici and Schaupp | 14 February - Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
For that person in your life who loves new experiences and live music that’s a little out of the ordinary, look no further than gifting them tickets to Clerici & Schaupp. Iranian-born composer Anahita Abbasi’s why the trees were murmuring sets an explorative tone for the evening, complete with improvisational elements that explore the composer’s appreciation of diversity and community. Then, the incomparable Brisbane guitarist Karin Schaupp leads the world premiere of Gerard Brophy’s migrating with swallows for guitar and orchestra. Finally, slip into something a little more familiar with Mozart’s elegant and eternal 40th Symphony.
Ideal for ardent appreciators of music, art and the experimental, this concert will deliver the unexpected direct to your stocking.
3. The Rite of Spring | 20-22 February - QPAC Concert Hall
Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is an iconic work that caused a riot and rocked the music world when it premiered in 1913. Known for its rhythmic complexity and revolutionary structure, QSO will perform this iconic ballet, reinterpreted by Circa acrobats. In addition to The Rite of Spring, QSO will treat audiences to Debussy’s Prélude à "L'après-midi d'un faune" (Afternoon of a Faun) and Respighi’s Concerto Gregoriano, performed by violinist and QSO Artist in Residence, Kristian Winther.
Lovers of QSO, ballet and circus will be very merry with this MUST SEE event on their calendar’s after Christmas.
4. Skyfall in Concert | 4 April – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
For fans of James Bond, Skyfall in Concert serves up an action-packed evening from start to finish!
Skyfall sees Daniel Craig return as Secret Agent 007 in the franchise's most successful film to date, pitting Bond against the ruthless cyberterrorist and former British agent Silva. As the film plays on the big screen, Queensland Symphony Orchestra will bring Thomas Newman’s award-winning score to life, including Adele’s unforgettable title track.
From thrilling chases across the rooftops of Istanbul to a dramatic reunion at Bond's childhood home in the Scottish Highlands, this concert will transport listeners into the heart of the Bond universe. Grab tickets now for this must-see event for any James Bond fan, 4 April at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert – 5 April – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
The final battle for the Wizarding World™ begins! For the Potterheads in your family, grab them tickets to experience Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 like you’ve never seen before!
Queensland Symphony Orchestra performs Alexandre Desplat’s iconic score LIVE on stage as the film is projected onto a high-definition screen, putting you right in the middle of the action. Feel the intensity as your favourite characters break into Gringotts Bank, Battle for the fate of Hogwarts™ and watch the final standoff between Voldemort™ and Harry with the full force of a live orchestra!
The perfect gift for Harry Potter fans, music lovers or nostalgia seekers, put Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert on the top of your Christmas list this holiday season! Accio tickets, 5 April 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
6. Shakespeare’s The Tempest | 3 May – QPAC Concert Hall
For a magical fusion of music and literature, Shakespeare’s The Tempest welcomes legendary stage actor John Bell to the Concert Hall. As Bell brings the world of The Tempest to life through the spoken word, QSO will perform various works inspired by the Bard’s timeless plays. Including Honneger’s The Tempest: Prelude, Sibelius’ The Tempest Suits 1 & 2, Purcell’s Tempest Overture and Tchaikovsky The Tempest, you can expect a storm of excellent music and artistry on the Concert Hall stage.
Theatregoers, music-lovers and Shakespeare scholars simply cannot miss this once in a lifetime show.
7. The Strauss Gala | 10 + 11 May – QPAC Concert Hall
This glamorous evening will transport audiences into the world of the "Waltz King," Johann Strauss II. Known for his elegant and joyful compositions, Strauss’ music will fill the Concert Hall with infectious rhythm and grandeur guaranteed to tempt your dancing shoes. The Strauss Gala is an opulent celebration of Viennese music for a spectacular night out at the Orchestra.
Ideal for fans of the Waltz King himself, traditional ballroom dancing or those who just want an evening of elegant music guaranteed.
8. Art of the Score: The Music of Hans Zimmer | 23 + 24 May – QPAC Concert Hall
Join Art of the Score podcasters, Andrew Pogson and Dan Golding as we celebrate the award-winning titan of film scores, Hans Zimmer. Conductor Vanessa Scammell will lead the Orchestra through some of Zimmer’s most beloved scores, including music from The Lion King, The Dark Night, Inception, Interstellar, Kung Fu Panda, Pirates of the Caribbean and Zimmillions more!
The perfect gift for film buffs, fans of The Art of the Score podcast and any of the films that Zimmer has scored.
9. Lior and Westlake | 9 August - QPAC Concert Hall
Australian singer-songwriter Lior teams up with Aussie composer Nigel Westlake to bring their ARIA award-winning classical album, Compassion, to the stage. Accompanied by the Orchestra, Lior’s ethereal voice will transport the audience into a world of peace, wisdom and love in this beautiful concert to lift the heart and soothe the soul.
Fans of Lior, Nigel Westlake and live vocal performances will adore this charming concert of connection and fierce talent.
10. Cinematic: The Oscars | 24 + 25 October – QPAC Concert Hall
Returning for its sixth year in a row, this ever-popular concert is back to bring you an Oscar-worthy collection of movie scores, performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Including music from Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Jaws, The Little Mermaid, West Side Story and much more!
Another great gift for the film buffs in your life, and those who love our beloved Cinematic concerts.
