Central Library Concerts
The Central Library is pleased to announce the schedule for the Fall 2026 Concert Series as well as upcoming programs in the Cinema + Sound Series and Community Concerts Series.
The 2026-2027 season marks the 71st Anniversary of the Concert Series, which is one of the longest running concert programs in San Diego. This season’s schedule will feature beloved annual events as well as touring ensembles new to the Series. The Fall Series once again kicks off with the Toy Piano Festival, an all-ages friendly celebration of this surprisingly versatile instrument, and this year will be hosted on composer John Cage’s birthday! Join festival director Scott Paulson and his colleagues to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the festival, with new works composed for toy piano and a roster of talented performers.
You will find the Fall 2026 schedule below, and the Winter/Spring 2027 schedule will be released in December.
Please explore this page to learn about our three concert program offerings: The Central Library Concert Series, the Cinema + Sound Series, and Community Concerts. You can jump directly to each schedule below.
The San Diego Central Library Concert Series features both local and visiting professional musicians and ensembles. This Series is a signature music program that continues to provide free, high-quality concerts for the community.
Please visit the Events Calendar for more information and updates.
(Please note this season's new and varying concert dates and times)
Upcoming Concerts: Fall 2026 Concert Series
The 26th Annual Toy Piano Festival
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 12:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Scott Paulson (UCSD ’84) has hosted the Toy Piano Festival since 2000, which pays homage to UC San Diego’s history with this adorable instrument and John Cage, who composed the first serious work for toy piano. The festival will include the premiere of "A Happy Birthday Message to John Cage for a Bakers Dozen of Hand-Crank Music Boxes and Toy Piano" and will feature performances and compositions by:
James Chute, Kenneth Herman, Barbara Scheidker, Samara Rice, Alex Segal, Kay Etheridge, Christian Hertzog, Annika Klubberud, Holden Cheng, and very special guest Sue Palmer, the Queen of Boogie-Woogie!
The Soto Six Jazz Combo
*Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Dylan Soto, Ryan Kupsh, Bob Weller, Kyle Bayquen, & Joannah Sy
The Soto Six presents a fresh perspective on the music of The Jazz Crusaders. The program explores the soulful melodies, vibrant rhythms, and improvisational spirit that define the Crusaders' enduring sound, while celebrating their often-overlooked place in jazz history.
Eric Starr, trombone & euphonium and Hyemi Kwon, piano
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
“Sonatas Crossing Centuries”
Trombonist Eric Starr and pianist Hyemi Kwon present an exciting survey of sonatas from the 18th century to the current decade. Hear how the baroque charm of Vivaldi stands up to modernist, angular Hindemith while the hindustani influence in Reena Esmail's Sonata smooths out any big bangs from Anthony Barfield's cosmological exploration, Red Sky. Starr and Kwon have been performing together for years and are excited to share this program at the Central Library.
Dr. Karen Follingstad and Kay Etheridge, piano duo
Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 1:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
"Musical Excursion: Europe and North America"
Join Drs. Follingstad and Etheridge for a musical journey across two continents, exploring the rich and varied traditions of piano music through the intimate and exhilarating art of the piano duet. They will share music from: Austria/Germany (Schubert, Bach, and Brahms); France and Czechia (Ravel, Poulenc and Dvorak); and America (Samuel Barber and John Corigliano). From the elegance of Vienna to the vibrant sounds of modern and contemporary America, this program offers a delightful musical passport through time, place, and style.
Courtly Noyse
Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 1:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
“Renaissance Seasonal Songs”
This concert will immerse the audience in Renaissance music that was popular during the holidays. Some of the pieces are recognizable as the precursors of present-day holiday music. For example, many will recognize Branle de l’Official (Official Dance) as the tune to Ding Dong Merrily on High, or Nos Galan, a 16th century Welsh New Year song which is now used as the tune to Deck the Halls. Other songs sung in centuries past whilst wassailing are similar to how we know them today.
Cinema + Sound
In addition to the Central Library's signature Concert Series, we are also pleased to announce a new event in our CINEMA + SOUND SERIES, soon entering its fourth season!
Cinema + Sound Series: The Music of Bernard Herrmann + Hitchcock's Psycho
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 6:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
In celebration of iconic film music and the spooky season, The Hausmann Quartet will perform Bernard Herrmann's string quartet Echoes, followed by a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film Psycho (1960, 109 minutes, R), scored by Herrmann..
Community Concerts
The Central Library partners with community music organizations and universities to bring more free concerts to our downtown community.
Broadway San Diego Presents: An Outlander Experience
*Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Time TBA | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Outlander in Concert comes to San Diego in November! Join Broadway San Diego and guests as they share a sneak peek at the music behind this beloved book-to-screen story!
San Diego Youth Symphony Concerto Competition
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 6:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Don't miss hearing some of San Diego's most talented young musicians! SDYS Concerto Competition finalists will perform for the audience and a panel of judges, and the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the concert.
San Diego Opera Presents: Making Merry
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | 6:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Start your holiday season with a delightful 45-minute concert. Join San Diego Opera Resident Conductor and Chorus Master Bruce Stasyna and featured guest artists for an irresistible holiday program featuring music that spans centuries and styles. Filled with songs of the season, beloved carols, modern favorites, and timeless holiday classics, Making Merry is the perfect way to celebrate the joy, warmth, and spirit of the holiday season.
This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are highly encouraged. Call (619) 533-7000 or reserve online starting in mid-September.
San Diego State University: Student Chamber Ensembles
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Student Chamber Ensemble performances feature students from San Diego State University’s School of Music and Dance in a mix of groups: trios, quartets, and quintets, spanning a diverse array of styles and time periods. Come hear SDSU’s promising chamber music students!
Please visit the Events Calendar for more information and updates.
*The Padres post-season schedule could impact this program. Please check the library's event calendar for up-to-date concert information. Subscribe to the Art, Music & Recreation newsletter for once-a-month updates sent directly to your inbox!
Please browse our Encore Concert Series YouTube page for recordings of previous concert performances.
The Central Library Concert Series has been a signature program of the San Diego Public Library since the 1950s. It features local, national, and international chamber musicians.
All programs are FREE and open to the public. Most Concert Series programs are approximately one hour long with no intermission and are held at the Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown in San Diego's East Village. For more information, call the Central Library's Art, Music & Recreation Section at 619-236-5800.
Artists and programs are subject to change.
Where: Neil Morgan Auditorium, unless otherwise noted, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. The Auditorium is across the courtyard from the library entrance.
When: Select Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 6:30pm, unless otherwise noted. Programs usually last one hour with no intermission.
Cost: Programs are free and open to the public.
Parking: Two hours of free parking with validation are available at the library, and additional parking is available at public spaces within walking distance of the library. The Central Library is two blocks from the Park & Market trolley stop.