What is Candlelight and why is it popular?
Candlelight concerts have taken Boston by storm, turning iconic venues into glowing, music-filled wonderlands. With thousands of performances worldwide and an ever-growing lineup in the city, this magical series keeps evolving—bringing fresh new programs and fan-favorite tunes to delighted audiences.
Whether you’re into classical masterpieces or chart-topping hits, there’s something for everyone, all set against a flickering sea of candles. Wondering how to make the most of your experience? Here are our tips!
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Candlelight has received glowing reviews
Every Candlelight concert in Boston is rated on the marketplace with a user-generated score out of five stars. Attendees can not only give a rating but also share their thoughts on aspects like the venue, musicians, and overall atmosphere—key reasons why these concerts are so special.
“Beautiful evening! Talented and fun musicians! It was a perfect Halloween date night with my husband” – A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, October 31
“Absolutely gorgeous in every way!” – The Best of the Beatles, June 7
“Very organized and lovely event” – Tribute to Taylor Swift, November 8
“It was perfect” – A Tribute to Coldplay, November 23
“The most mesmerizing evening I had in a very long time!” – Discovering Mozart, September 21
Six more reasons to go to a Candlelight concert
The musicians
Candlelight concerts are the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty, skill and emotional depth of the art form. What makes these enchanting performances really special, are the classically trained musicians who effortlessly command their instruments. These musicians are highly trained and skilled in their craft. Watching them perform with precision and passion is awe-inspiring, making us feel a wide range of emotions, from joy to sorrow.
The atmosphere is electrifying
Candlelight typically takes place in places with great architectural beauty and cultural significance, including concert halls, theaters, old churches, event venues, and even aquariums! These spaces are often designed to enhance the acoustics, providing optimal sound quality.
Add to that the warm and gentle glow of thousands of candles that flicker and dance to the music, making it all an unforgettable experience. What’s more, sharing such a unique experience with others in the audience can create a sense of community and shared appreciation for the music.
The concert series brings classical music to new audiences
Historically, most classical music was written for the wealthy patrons of composers, therefore, making it difficult to reach those of lower social classes. As the years have gone by, it is said that only people of greater dispositions and those who have received some form of education on the genre could enjoy and get some exposure to classical music.
However, Candlelight is breaking all these preconceptions and barriers and making the genre more accessible and most importantly, more entertaining. Now, you can listen to timeless compositions, from Baroque composers in the likes of Vivaldi and Bach to Romantic greats, such as Tchaikovsky and Puccini. These iconic works are often considered a great cultural heritage and now, there’s nothing stopping you from discovering them!
It’s not all just classical music
Candlelight is a celebration of music and one of the reasons it’s so special is the diverse repertoire of concerts offered each season. Besides tributes to classical greats, you can also catch performances by popular contemporary jazz, rock, pop, pop rock and soul artists. Think Taylor Swift, Nat King Cole, Adele, Coldplay, Queen and many many more!
Additionally, film buffs can be transported to their favorite movie scenes as they listen tributes to iconic movie and anime scores by industry giants like Ludovico Einaudi and Joe Hisaishi.
Gain fresh insights on the songs
Many audience members find these spellbinding live music concerts incredibly enjoyable because they also learn more backstory to these iconic songs and compositions. During these performances, the musicians frequently give insights into the lyrics and even the artists’ psyche or creative process. Certainly, they have great knowledge on music, but also, are great fans of these artists as well! They get to artfully blend education with entertainment.
Light up your festivities!
There are so many events every year for which we have to buy gifts. There’s Valentine’s, the holidays, birthdays, weddings and much more. Make your life easier by gifting somebody an experience. Don’t know what they want? Easy – buy them a Candlelight gift card and let them choose!
FAQs
How long do Candlelight concerts last?
60-65 minutes, which is enough time to give you value for money and incredible entertainment but short enough that you can eat dinner afterwards and make a night of it.
What is the dress code?
Wear whatever you’re comfortable in but people generally dress smart casual. Nobody’s going to be looking at you anyway, as their eyes are drawn to the performance so you do you!
What is Candlelight Photo?
For those who want a lasting memory of their Candlelight experience, the Candlelight Photo add-on is available at checkout or can be purchased at the venue. Guests who opt for this add-on gain exclusive access to a special photo area—sometimes even on stage! A high-quality phone camera ensures top-notch results, and you’ll receive an instant printed photo on the spot.