If you are looking for the ideal holiday gift, give the Gift of Music this season! Experience New Jersey Symphony At The Movies, a spectacular series of events that appeal to kids of all ages (and adults, too) by presenting family-favorite films projected on the big screen, with the orchestra playing the full movie score. Get in the holiday spirit with Elf in Concert, revel in movie magic with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert, and see all your favorite Star Wars characters in Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert. For a more relaxed and sensory-friendly performance experience, New Jersey Symphony offers a “Discover” series of concerts, with Discover Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony coming up next, so that all family members can experience the joys of classical music. Read on for more details on where and when to see these family-friendly, harmonious events. (featured photo credit: New Jersey Symphony)
New Jersey Symphony: Perfectly Orchestrated Events
New Jersey Symphony Movie Concerts
Get ready to watch your favorite holiday movie when the New Jersey Symphony performs Elf in Concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on December 6 and the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on December 7. Buddy the Elf comes to life in this classic movie as John Debney’s score is performed live throughout Buddy’s journey to find his dad, which takes him from the North Pole to New York City. Arrive early to delight in the festive atmosphere and enjoy a pre-show experience with the Yuletide Carolers, a talented group of singers dressed in charming period attire. It’s the perfect way to embrace your holiday spirit and introduce your kids to live music.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi In Concert
Experience Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert in Red Bank at the Count Basie Center on May 29, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on May 30, and State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on May 31. Watch this big-screen battle with John Williams’ score performed live by the New Jersey Symphony as the Resistance find themselves impossibly pursued by the First Order and lured to the salt-planet of Crait for a last stand. For those who can’t get enough of John Williams’ scores, save the date for March 7, 2026! Two screenings of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark will be shown while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score. 
New Jersey Symphony Inclusive Family Concerts
Discover the storytelling power of Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony at an inclusive, all-family, relaxed performance on March 28, 2026, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. This concert is a fantastic chance to dive into one of Beethoven’s masterpieces, which beautifully tells a story through its music. Taking inspiration from Leonard Bernstein, who loved to bring young audiences into the magic of music, this interactive performance will be filled with exciting tips, fun facts, and listening cues to make it a memorable outing for everyone. This relaxed concert is designed to be welcoming for individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, or cognitive and physical differences. You’re free to come and go as you please during the performance, and it’s encouraged to bring along any comfort items—like sensory tools or stuffed animals—that help make the experience enjoyable. There will also be convenient amenities such as large-print programs, sensory guides, and a cozy relaxation room to ensure everyone feels at ease.
If your family enjoys this relaxed format, don’t miss “Romeo & Juliet” on January 29 at the Newark Performing Arts Center. For the traditional performance, “Romeo & Juliet” will also be playing on January 30 and February 1 at the Newark Performing Arts Center, and on January 31 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
About The New Jersey Symphony
New Jersey Symphony is a GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning orchestra. Under the direction of the Music Director Xian Zhang, the Symphony performs more than 60 concerts at mainstage venues across the state, including Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Morristown, as well as schools and public spaces statewide. Programming at the Symphony reflects an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while providing students across the state with unparalleled opportunities to achieve musical excellence through its Youth Orchestra and other outreach programs. In 2024, the Symphony announced it would continue to deliver its statewide activities from a new, permanent office, rehearsal, and concert space in Jersey City, set to open in 2026. For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit our website at njsymphony.org or our newsroom for press releases and photos.
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This post is sponsored by The New Jersey Symphony.
