Enjoying the Show At Our Performing Arts Center in Hartford, CT

Here at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, we are connecting tradition with innovation! When you choose to attend our concerts, you will experience performances by the most talented musicians in the region.

Attending a Hartford Symphony Orchestra concert is a great way to experience the musical talent and genres in your very own community, and attending a concert can be a fun activity to attend with friends and family. Orchestra tickets can be a fantastic gift for your loved ones or used as a weekend outing. No matter what the circumstances for your interest, we can promise a stunning experience you will remember for years to come. If you are new to the HSO and attending for the first time, we want to make sure you know what to expect when you attend a performance.

We can’t wait to welcome you to one of our performances. Here, you’ll find useful information about enjoying our outstanding orchestral performances to the fullest.

The Bushnell Performing Arts Center is located at 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
Please note that there are other performances happening in the building, so please plan accordingly.

All HSO Venues Are ADA Compliant.

If you or a member of your party has any mobility or other special needs, please let us know so we can help you plan your concert attendance.

The HSO performs in facilities with elevators, ramps, special reserved seating, and removable seating. These facilities also have dedicated parking for persons with a State Handicapped Parking Permit.

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 

Learn more about accessibility at the Bushnell.

Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center (Talcott Mountain Music Festival)

Simsbury Meadows has accessible parking spaces, accessible portable restrooms, and an accessible paved pathway with patios on our field that better accommodate wheelchairs and motorized mobility equipment. Learn more about accessibility at Simsbury Meadows.

Help us help you by letting us know about any special needs you may have.

For more information, please call HSO Ticket Services at 860-987-5900, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Ever wanted to get the inside scoop before a concert? That’s where Prelude comes in! It’s our fun and exclusive pre-concert guide, sent straight to your inbox before each Masterworks performance. Whether you’re a subscriber, single-ticket holder, donor, or just someone who loves a little “insider info” on the music, composer, or artist, Prelude has you covered!

It’s packed with interesting, fun facts to get you even more excited for the show—like a sneak peek into what you’ll hear, beyond the concert program. We’d love to know what you think! And don’t forget, to receive Prelude, we’ll need your email and permission. If you know someone who’d love it, send them our way!

Contact Eric Hutchinson at 860-760-7321 or ehutchinson@hartfordsymphony.org to sign up!

2025-2026 Season

Gershwin, Marsalis, & Bartok

Have you ever wondered what inspired Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1, or how exactly a theme and variations works? What about the intricacies of Berlioz’s orchestration or the historical significance of Stravinsky’s body of works? Masterworks Pre-Concert Talks provide the chance to find out. Join Music Director Carolyn Kuan, guest conductors, and Hartford Symphony Orchestra musicians as they offer engaging presentations about the works, the composers and historic perspectives of the concert that lies ahead. These 30 minute pre-concert presentations take place in the concert hall one hour prior to each Masterworks Series concert and are open to all ticket holders.

At select Masterworks Series performances, the HSO showcases the bright future of classical music. Student ensembles perform on the second-floor lobby of Belding Theater for 25 minutes between the pre-concert talk and the start of the HSO performance. Concertgoers are invited to linger for a moment or to sit and stay for the duration to enjoy these student performances.

Know Before You Go

Please have your physical ticket(s) ready upon arrival or pick them up from the Box Office if you were informed they would be held at Will Call.
If you selected the ‘digital ticket’ option during your online purchase, please log into your Ticket account here to access them.
Your seat locations are printed on your ticket, and our staff will be there to greet you and guide you through the theatre.

Our lobby opens 2 hours before each performance. Patrons are strongly encouraged to arrive at least 1 hour early to leave ample time for parking, moving through security, and finding their seat(s). Latecomers will be seated at management’s discretion.
There is a coat check at the theatre on lobby level, opposite the security checkpoint.

Attend the FREE pre-concert talk with Maestro Kuan or special guest one hour before our Masterworks concerts!

Bring your smartphone to access our digital Playbill here– don’t forget to silence it! Feel free to snap photos during the performance and share the excitement on social media! But no flash photography and no video or audio recording, please. Connect to the internet using “Free Bushnell Wi-Fi” for better service within the theater.

Grab a drink or snack from one of our convenient bar/café locations the bars available throughout The Bushnell’s lobbies 2 hours before the performance, and feel free to bring them to your seat.  

Light fare is available at The Bushnell’s Café, located in the Box Office. View sample cafe menu. For additional dining options, please view our dining partners page.  

Applaud when you like what you hear – don’t worry about the “right” time!  Some seasoned concertgoers will hold their applause until the end of a piece, which may consist of three or more “movements.” The conductor’s body language will signal that a piece has ended: They will drop their arms to their side.   

Wear what you want – be comfortable. While some concertgoers do dress up, you are welcome to wear what makes you feel at your best. 

All bags are subject to inspection and all guests will go through a metal detector before entering the theatre. No weapons of any kind are allowed. Theatre management reserves the right to prohibit items as necessary. Review the Bushnell’s Guest Services and Policies. 

We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the performance, theatre experience, or accommodations, please e-mail us at info@hartfordsymphony.org or call 860-987-5900. 

Seating Charts