Candlelight Concerts in DC

Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac is a glowing, immersive concert experience that transforms the band’s timeless rock catalog into rich, cinematic string arrangements performed live in a room lit by hundreds of flickering candles. Over the course of about an hour, the Listeso String Quartet brings fresh emotion and intimacy to favorites like “Everywhere,” “Gypsy,” “You Make Loving Fun,” “Never Going Back Again,” “Don’t Stop,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Landslide,” “Little Lies,” “Songbird,” “Rhiannon,” and “The Chain,” creating a warm, transportive night that feels both familiar and beautifully reimagined.

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer is an immersive concert experience that reimagines some of modern film’s most iconic scores in elegant, emotionally charged string arrangements, all performed in a sea of flickering candlelight. Over roughly an hour, the program travels from the pulse-quickening intensity of Inception and The Dark Knight to the sweeping grandeur of Gladiator and Man of Steel, with unforgettable moments from The Lion King, Interstellar, Sherlock Holmes, and Pirates of the Caribbean woven in—creating a cinematic, goosebump-inducing night where every theme feels both epic and surprisingly intimate.

Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons is a high-energy, candlelit concert that turns two arena-sized catalogs into something intimate and cinematic, as a live string quartet reimagines soaring choruses, pulsing rhythms, and big emotional hooks in elegant classical-style arrangements. Over the course of about an hour, you’ll hear favorites from both bands—think Coldplay staples like “Clocks,” “Fix You,” “The Scientist,” “Viva la Vida,” and “A Sky Full of Stars” paired with Imagine Dragons crowd-pleasers like “Radioactive,” “Believer,” “Bad Liar,” and “Follow You”—creating a fun, immersive “versus” experience where each song feels freshly dramatic under the warm glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites is a lush, candlelit concert experience that transforms modern R&B and neo-soul into glowing, string-driven arrangements, letting familiar hooks and slow-burn grooves land with new intimacy and drama. Performed live by the Kennedy String Quartet, the set moves through a genre-spanning mix of favorites—from SZA, Lauryn Hill, Solange, Miguel, Frank Ocean, and H.E.R. to Alicia Keys, Boyz II Men, and soulful showstoppers like Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Childish Gambino’s “Redbone”—creating a warm, immersive night that feels both classic and unmistakably contemporary.

Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA is a glowing, immersive tribute concert that reimagines two legendary catalogs through the rich, cinematic sound of a live string quartet, turning stadium-sized anthems and disco-pop classics into something intimate, dramatic, and unexpectedly moving. Under a sea of flickering candles, you’ll hear instantly recognizable favorites—from the sing-along sparkle of “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Super Trouper” to the electrifying punch of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions”—with the music’s hooks, harmonies, and emotional turns brought front and center in fresh classical arrangements.

Candlelight: Tribute to Adele is a glowing, immersive concert that reimagines Adele’s biggest heartbreak anthems and powerhouse ballads in lush string arrangements performed live by the Listeso String Quartet, all surrounded by the warm flicker of hundreds of candles. Over the course of about an hour, expect a beautiful journey through fan favorites like “Hello,” “Someone Like You,” “Make You Feel My Love,” “Rolling in the Deep,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” “Skyfall,” “When We Were Young,” “Easy On Me,” and more—each melody transformed into something at once intimate and cinematic, with the emotion of Adele’s songwriting shining through in every note.

Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles is a beautifully atmospheric concert that reimagines the Fab Four’s most beloved songs through elegant live string arrangements, all performed amid the warm glow of candlelight for an intimate, immersive listening experience. Expect instantly recognizable melodies and sing-along moments—like “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Penny Lane,” “Come Together,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Yesterday,” and “Let It Be”—delivered with fresh emotion and cinematic sweep by the Listeso String Quartet, turning timeless pop into something transporting and unexpectedly moving.

Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift is a dreamy, candlelit concert that transforms Swift's eras into sweeping live string arrangements, turning familiar hooks into something intimate, cinematic, and unexpectedly emotional. The program blends iconic sing-along favorites like "Love Story," "You Belong With Me," and "Shake It Off" with newer hits including "Anti-Hero," plus era-spanning medleys inspired by Red, Reputation, folklore, and 1989-with "Cruel Summer" and the evocative "The Fate of Ophelia" adding extra drama and atmosphere-creating the feeling of a greatest-hits journey heard in a whole new light.

Candlelight brings its signature multi-sensory concert experience to the music of Michael Jackson, with a string quartet performing the King of Pop's greatest hits in a room aglow with hundreds of flickering candles. Over the course of an hour, audiences will hear beloved songs spanning his entire career reimagined for strings, from early favorites like "I Want You Back" and "Rock With You" to iconic anthems including "Billie Jean," "Smooth Criminal," "Man in the Mirror," and "Thriller." The intimate candlelit setting transforms these familiar pop classics into something unexpectedly moving, giving longtime fans and newcomers alike a fresh way to experience one of music's most legendary catalogs.

Candlelight: Jazz—The Best of Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole is a stylish, candlelit concert that puts a smooth, swing-era spin on two legendary songbooks, surrounding you with the warm glow of candles as a live jazz ensemble brings these timeless standards to life with effortless charm and romance. With PureSoul at the helm, you’ll hear beloved favorites like “Come Fly with Me,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Night and Day,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “Unforgettable,” all delivered with that classic late-night lounge feel—equal parts sophisticated, nostalgic, and irresistibly toe-tapping.

Step into the shadows for an unforgettable hour of spine-tingling music as Candlelight transforms one of the city's most striking sanctuaries into a hauntingly beautiful concert hall, illuminated entirely by the flicker of candlelight. Performed live by the Listeso String Quartet, this immersive tribute experience conjures Halloween's most iconic sounds, from chilling classical masterworks like Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre, Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, and Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King to beloved pop-culture favorites including Michael Jackson's Thriller, the eerie themes from Stranger Things, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, and The Addams Family, and the crowd-pleasing Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Equal parts elegant and eerie, this multi-sensory evening is the perfect way to celebrate the season, whether you're a devoted classical music lover or simply craving a deliciously spooky night out.

Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi is a glowing, immersive concert that brings the beloved music of legendary Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi to life by the soft shimmer of candlelight, with the Kennedy String Quartet performing sweeping, intimate arrangements that feel both cinematic and close-up. The program celebrates iconic themes from Studio Ghibli and beyond—taking you through moments from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Ponyo, The Wind Rises, Kikujiro, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and Howl’s Moving Castle—so every melody hits with fresh emotion, nostalgia, and breathtaking atmosphere.

Candlelight: Tribute to Drake is a live, multi-sensory concert that reimagines Drake’s biggest hits in an intimate setting illuminated entirely by candlelight, with a string quartet bringing fresh emotion and cinematic intensity to songs you know by heart. Expect sleek, classical arrangements that move from smooth late-night vibes to full-on anthemic energy—turning melodies from favorites like “Passionfruit,” “Marvins Room,” “God’s Plan,” “One Dance,” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home” into something beautifully unexpected, immersive, and unforgettable from the first note to the last.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings wraps the season's most beloved music in the warm, flickering glow of hundreds of candles for a truly enchanting hour of holiday magic. The Metropolis String Quartet performs timeless carols including Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, Silent Night, Joy to the World, and Greensleeves, transforming familiar melodies into something intimate and transporting through the rich, expressive voices of four string instruments. Part of the wildly popular Candlelight concert series, this multi-sensory experience pairs world-class live music with a breathtaking candlelit setting, creating an atmosphere equally suited to a romantic evening out, a festive gathering with friends, or a memorable family tradition. Whether you come to rediscover the wonder of the classics or simply to soak in the ambiance, this hour of music by candlelight captures the spirit of the season beautifully.

Candlelight: Christmas Classics transforms a beloved holiday songbook into an intimate, multi-sensory concert performed entirely by the light of hundreds of flickering candles. The Metropolis String Quartet takes the stage for a 60-minute program that glides from timeless favorites like Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, and Greensleeves to modern seasonal staples including Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You, Wham!'s Last Christmas, and Let It Snow. The evening also weaves in enchanting selections from The Nutcracker, Frozen, Anastasia, and The Holiday, giving the program a cinematic sparkle alongside its classical warmth. Part of the internationally acclaimed Candlelight concert series, this holiday edition invites audiences to slow down, settle into the glow, and experience the music of the season the way it was meant to be heard: up close, unplugged, and unforgettable.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special is a romantic, candlelit concert that wraps a handpicked playlist of love songs and cinematic themes in gorgeous live string arrangements, creating an intimate atmosphere that feels made for date night. Performed by the Kennedy String Quartet, the program blends classic pop ballads and movie-moment melodies—think “Unchained Melody,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?,” “A Whole New World,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “All You Need Is Love,” “A Thousand Years,” “Shallow,” and “My Heart Will Go On”—so each familiar tune lands with fresh tenderness, sweeping drama, and that extra bit of sparkle you only get from hearing it live by the glow of hundreds of candles.