San Diego Symphony | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and Jacobs Music Center

Orchestrate an evening out enjoying world-class performances by the San Diego Symphony. From June through August, the symphony presents classical favorites, film scores, jazz, R&B, Broadway and rock at its premier outdoor venue: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The Shell itself is a dream under the stars, situated on San Diego Bay. Patrons enjoy top artists while watching boats and ferries float by, plying the waters from downtown San Diego to Coronado. On the opposite side sits a marina, the San Diego Convention Center, the Marriott Marquis and the Grand Hyatt.

The summer season officially kicks off on June 27, 2025, with Alberto Ginastera’s Four Dances from “Estancia”; a trumpet concerto by famed musician Wynton Marsalis; Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” made famous by Disney’s “Fantasia”; and Debussy’s “La mer.”

Opening Night will be followed the next evening by The “Music of the Knights®,” showcasing the songs of iconic artists Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. Hear legendary hits “Memory” and “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina;” “Crocodile Rock,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “The Circle of Life” and “Your Song;” and “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude” and “Maybe I’m Amazed,” plus many more. Rounding out the opening weekend on June 29 will be “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony” featuring an innovative multimedia symphonic experience with Parton on screen.

The festive atmosphere on San Diego’s picturesque waterfront continues all summer long. Dynamic concerts sure to satisfy the soul and/or get the toes tapping include  “Top Gun: Maverick in Concert “(July 11); the glorious sounds of “Beethoven by the Bay” (July 13); a concert by incomparable artist Beck (July 29); “Simply The Best: The Music of Tina Turner” (Aug. 2); and “Barbie The Movie: in Concert” (Aug. 22). Over Labor Day weekend, enjoy the rousing “1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular” (Aug. 30), and a medley of hits celebrating artists George Michael, U2, REM, Aerosmith and many others in “SNAP! Best of the ’90s with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra” (Aug. 31). View the complete 2025 Conrad Prebys Summer Season at TheShell.org.

In October, the symphony opens its second season in its stunning revitalized indoor home: Jacobs Music Center. The nearly 100-year-old hall underwent a complete renovation before reopening in 2024. Improved sight lines, acoustics, new seating and finishes, and restored architectural details have combined to create an experience of rich sound and intimacy for both the audience and musicians.

On Oct. 3 and Oct. 5, Conductor Rafael Payare leads the orchestra, vocal soloists, and a children’s chorus in the enchanting program “French Fairytales: Ravel and Debussy.” Other season highlights include selections from Gustav Mahler’s “The Boy’s Magical Horn” (Nov. 7-8); Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” (Dec. 6-7);  Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 — ““Pathétique” (Feb. 21-22); a two-weekend Brahms Festival (Feb. 27-March 1 and March 6-7); Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Symphony No. 3” (April 10-11); and Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra” (May 22 and May 24).

Along with its Jacobs Masterworks classical repertoire, the Symphony continues its Jazz @ The Jacobs series, curated by musician, composer, arranger, educator, and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. The series will feature “John Coltrane’s Blue Train” (Nov. 29);  “Songs For Lovers: The Music of Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, and Dinah Washington” (Feb. 14); and Dave Brubeck’s “Time Out” (April 4).

Concerts for families will include a Halloween-themed “Spooky Sounds and Magical Melodies” (Oct. 25), “Peter and the Wolf” (Feb. 7) featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee;” and “Space Junk” (April 11). This final program in the series will include R. Strauss’ “Sunrise Fanfare” from “Also sprach Zarathustra,” the first movement from Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter,” Jessie Montgomery’s “Starburst;” the world premiere of Ivan Trevino’s “Space Junk,” and John Williams’ “Main Title” from “Star Wars.”

The Symphony Kids Series designed specifically for the youngest music lovers (ages up to 5) are 30-minute interactive concerts that are sensory friendly. Sing-alongs, rhymes, dances, and musical games will introduce audiences to the instruments of the orchestra: “Meet the Winds: Mother Goose” (Nov. 1); “Meet the Brass: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” (Dec. 13); “Meet the Percussion: Clapping Music” (Feb. 14), and “Meet the Strings: “Ferdinand the Bull” (March 28).

Audiences may also enjoy special presentations, including a cappella group The King’s Singers (Oct. 19); the beloved Vienna Boys Choir (Nov. 21); and “An Evening On Broadway With Rob Fisher” (March 14).

Both The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and Jacobs Music Center offer beauty, unparalleled sound and musical delights for all. Order tickets at sandiegosymphony.org or by phone at (619) 235-0804.