CONNECT with the CityCentral Library Concerts
The Central Library is pleased to announce the schedule for the Fall 2025 Concert Series!
The 2025-2026 season marks the 70th Anniversary of this signature program, which is one of the longest running concert series in San Diego. This season’s schedule will feature local musicians as well as touring ensembles. The Fall Series kicks off with a double celebration event—the 25th anniversary of UC San Diego Library’s Toy Piano Festival! Join festival director Scott Paulson and his colleagues to celebrate this milestone with new works for toy piano and a roster of talented performers. And in November, we are teaming up with Central Library’s Humanities Section to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday! Join us for music, readings, tea, and more. In addition, this season’s theme is Duos of Distinction. Many of this season’s performances will highlight the skillful collaboration of two musicians as they share dynamic and expressive repertoire from the Classical period to the 21st Century.
You will find the Fall 2025 schedule below, and the Winter/Spring 2026 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.
Upcoming Concerts: Fall 2025 Concert Series
The 25th Annual Toy Piano Festival: In Partnership with UC San Diego Library
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 2:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
For 25 years, UC San Diego Library’s Exhibits and Events Coordinator Scott Paulson ’84 has hosted the Toy Piano Festival, which pays homage to UC San Diego’s history with the adorable instrument. This special performance in the Neil Morgan Auditorium will feature Kay Etheridge, Kenneth Herman, Christian Hertzog, Scott Paulson, Barbara Scheidker, and special guest Sue Palmer, known as “The Queen of Boogie-Woogie.”
The festival dates back to 1966, when composer Robert Erickson wrote a piece for toy pianos and bells that premiered on California’s PBS television stations.
Want a double dose of toy pianos? A second performance will be hosted on the UC San Diego campus at the Geisel Library on Tuesday, September 30.
Lauren Rausch, violin and Ines Irawati, piano
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 2:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
“Sonatas & Saint-Saëns”
Violinist Lauren Rausch and pianist Ines Irawati will present a duo recital featuring sonatas by Brahms and Mozart as well as an homage to the "spooky season," Danse Macabre by Saint-Saëns.
Jane Austen’s 250th Anniversary: A Celebration of Literature and Music
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 2:00-4:00 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium & Garden Courtyard
Join San Diego Public Library and the Jane Austen Society of North America - San Diego to celebrate the legendary author Jane Austen's 250th birthday! This afternoon of literature and music will feature readings from Jane Austen's works and Austen's own journals, a concert of Austen's contemporary music, and will be followed by a light teatime. Attendees are encouraged to don their Regency apparel and step back in time with us.
Featuring “In the Music Room,” A Duet Performance of Regency Era Music
2:30-3:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Ann Erwin, flute and Cho-Hyun Park, piano
Join flutist Ann Erwin and pianist Cho-Hyun Park in celebration of the 250th birthday year of author Jane Austen. Jane was an avid amateur pianist, and Erwin and Park will play music that she may have heard or even played herself.
The Zodiac Duo
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Kliment Krylovskiy, Clarinet and Riko Higuma, Piano
“Masterpieces for Clarinet & Piano”
The Zodiac Duo, featuring clarinetist Kliment Krylovskiy and pianist Riko Higuma, represents two-thirds of the internationally acclaimed Zodiac Trio, which has been captivating audiences around the world for nearly two decades. In this duo format, the musicians delve deeper into the rich clarinet-piano repertoire, offering a more personal and intimate concert experience while showcasing the same artistry that has defined their ensemble's global success.
Plus: A special presentation for the holidays and as part of our Opera Insights Series!
San Diego Opera Presents: Making Merry
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Start your holiday season with a delightful 45-minute concert for the whole family. Soprano Lily Berthold and Tenor Felipe Prado teams up with Pianist Bruce Stasyna for an irresistible holiday program that features music spanning 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 and warmth of this festive season.
Cinema + Sound
In addition to the Central Library's signature Concert Series, we are also pleased to announce two more programs in our new CINEMA + SOUND SERIES, soon entering its third season!
Cinema + Sound Series: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 6:30 pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium
1920; NR; Horror/Mystery
The Hausmann Quartet will perform Stephen Prutsman’s original music score with a screening of this classic silent film!
Cinema + Sound Series: Winter/Spring 2026
Dates forthcoming | Neil Morgan Auditorium
Community Concerts
The Central Library partners with community music organizations and universities to bring more free concerts to our downtown community. These concerts are performed by advanced amateur young adult and adult musicians so that they can share their music with library patrons, enhance their music education, and expand their public performance experience.
San Diego State University: Student Chamber Ensembles
Fall 2025: date forthcoming | 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!
San Diego Youth Symphony Concerto Competition
November 2025, date and time forthcoming | Neil Morgan Auditorium
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.
Please visit the Events Calendar for more information and updates.
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 2:30 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.