For the first time in a half-century, the National Symphony Orchestra will not call the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts its home as the Washington DC venue is set to undergo a reconstruction project.
The move comes amid a sweeping transformation of the Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump, who took control of the institution last year, installed a new board, and pushed for a two-year closure and renovation of the iconic venue.
But the show must go on — just not at the Kennedy Center.
Here's a look at the 2026-27 season for the National Symphony Orchestra and which venues they will be performing at.
Where is the National Symphony Orchestra playing this year?
The NSO often releases its schedule months before summer, but the announcement had been delayed due to ongoing drama at the Kennedy
Center.
It released the schedule this week, showing that six venues throughout the DMV will host the orchestra's nearly 60 performances.
The National Symphony Orchestra will play at the following venues:
- Rachel Schlesinger Hall at Northern Virginia Community College (Alexandria, VA)
- The Music Center at Strathmore (North Bethesda, MD)
- Center for the Arts at George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)
- Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University (Washington, DC)
- The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (College Park, MD)
- Lincoln Theatre (Washington, DC)
The first performance is scheduled for Sept. 26.
For a full schedule and ticket information, visit www.nationalsymphony.org. Tickets go on sale Aug. 28.
After Trump took control of the Kennedy Center, the National Symphony Orchestra saw its ticket sales decline dramatically. The Washington Post reported the NSO performed in front of 71% capacity crowds in 2024, and that has since fallen to 41%.
“For us to perform and to be somehow disconnected with the Kennedy Center probably will convince some of the audience who stayed away from the center to come back to our concerts, and not only that, even to increase the number of the audience,” music director Gianandrea Noseda told The Associated Press. “At least this is my hope.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch National Symphony Orchestra with Kennedy Center closure
