Before You Arrive

Series Specific Info: Classics | Robbins Pops | Pairings | New Music | Symphony for Kids | Specials

General Information

What to Wear

For some, an event at a world-class facility like the Winspear Centre is a great excuse to dress to the nines. But it’s hardly necessary. If that’s your style, go for it! If it’s not, do what makes you feel comfortable. You’ll see a wide range of dress, from casual to pretty classy, depending on the kind of event it is. Business casual is a great middle ground for most Edmonton Symphony Orchestra concerts.

When to Arrive

Most concerts begin promptly at the scheduled time. Check your ticket carefully; some of our performances begin at 8 PM, while others begin at 7:30 PM, or any number of other times. In consideration of our audience, and for the acoustically splendid Winspear Centre, latecomers will not be seated until a suitable break in the performance. Plan to arrive at least a half hour prior to your concert’s scheduled start time. This will leave you enough time to park, check your coat if you wish to do that, and perhaps enjoy a drink or a nibble before your performance. Some Edmonton Symphony Orchestra concerts feature an entertaining pre-concert introduction to the music on that night’s performance. Symphony Preludes are informal, free half-hour presentations by a wide range of music authorities that begin before the concert. They take place on the Upper Circle Lobby, and are worth coming early for!

Noise

The world-renowned Francis Winspear Centre for Music is one of the best places to hear live music. But just as you are able to hear every nuance of a performance, other noises are easy to hear as well. Please be as respectful of your fellow patrons as you hope they will be to you. Please unwrap any cough candies or breath mints before the performance begins. In between movements of longer works is a good time to clear your throat. If you feel that you may need to cough at length, or have a crying child that needs to settle, please consider visiting our viewing room. There, you’ll be able to see and hear the concert perfectly, thanks to our new state of the art sound system, and you can return to your seat when you're ready. If you would like to sit in the viewing room, please see one of our ushers and they will happily direct you there. Please ensure that the ringer on your mobile device is switched off and please dim the brightness of your screen if you plan to look at your device during the concert.

Children In Attendance

The Winspear Centre does not allow babes-in-arms or children under three into the concert hall, unless otherwise specified by the event promoter. Please see individual concert descriptions for specific age recommendations.

Documenting Performances

Recording devices of any kind – audio, video or photographic – are not permitted at most performances. Cameras and other recording devices are best left at coat check.

Perfume & Scents

In consideration to your fellow patrons who may have sensitivities or allergies to scented products, we ask that you use such products with great discretion. If, as a patron, you experience difficulty due to another patron’s use of fragrance, please alert our front of house staff, who will do everything possible to accommodate you.

Food & Beverage

The Winspear has a number of stations in operation pre-show and during intermission. Bars, coffee bars, dessert stations and a martini bar are waiting for you. A good idea for intermission is to pre-order your drink before the show, and it will be waiting for you when intermission arrives so you can avoid lining up during the break.

Please check your Before You Arrive email for more details or look at the series specific information at the top of this page.

Smoking

Patrons who wish to smoke must do so outside the Winspear Centre, at least 5 metres from any entrance, in accordance with Alberta smoking laws. Please note that our liquor license requires that we must not allow drinks to be taken outside and back inside, so you will need to leave your drink (if you have one) inside while you step outside.

Large Bags, Backpacks, and Strollers

We ask that you do your best not to bring large bags and backpacks, as these items are not permitted in the performance chamber. These items can be left, free of charge, at our coat check for the duration of your visit. Certain performances may require an additional bag check. Strollers can be left with Ushers at your closest entrance.

Classics Concerts

  • The concert will be approximately two hours, including a 20-minute intermission.
  • Pre-order service is available from all beverage stations for any guests who wish to pre-order their concession items for intermission. Pre-orders must be paid for at the time of ordering.
  • The program notes can be found in the Digital Program. You can access the Digital Program here or by scanning one of the QR codes inside the Winspear Centre. There is a printer-friendly version of the program notes available here if you would like to print them off at home.
  • You are invited to attend a Prelude presentation before select Classics concerts, starting at 6:45 PM in the Upper Circle Lobby (3rd Floor). This talk is a fantastic way to learn more about the pieces being performed in your concert. Please check your event page to see if there is a Prelude scheduled for your performance.
  • Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.

Robbins Pops Concerts

  • The concert will be approximately two hours, including a 20-minute intermission.
  • Pre-order service is available from all beverage stations for any guests who wish to pre-order their concession items for intermission. Pre-orders must be paid for at the time of ordering.
  • Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.

Pairings Concerts

  • The concert will be approximately one hour, and there is no intermission.
  • Your Pairings ticket acts as a voucher for one complimentary food or beverage item from any Winspear concession or bar during that concert only.
  • There will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks available.
  • The program notes can be found in the Digital Program. You can access the Digital Program here or by scanning one of the QR codes inside the Winspear Centre. There is a printer-friendly version of the program notes available here if you would like to print them off at home.
  • Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.

New Music Concerts

  • The concert will be approximately one hour, and there is no intermission.
  • The program notes can be found in the Digital Program. You can access the Digital Program here or by scanning one of the QR codes inside the Winspear Centre. There is a printer-friendly version of the program notes available here if you would like to print them off at home.
  • Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.

Symphony For Kids Concerts

  • The concert will be approximately 50 minutes, and there is no intermission.
  • Popcorn and drinks purchased at the Winspear will be allowed in the chamber for these concerts.
  • Free lobby activities start one hour prior to the concert’s start time.
  • Free Babes In Arms tickets for infants nine months or younger can be picked up at the Box Office starting 90 minutes prior to the concert’s start time.
  • Show a receipt from an ESSO or Mobil station for any purchase made in the seven days prior to your Symphony For Kids concert date, and you can redeem it for one free bag of popcorn at the Winspear concession, compliments of Imperial Oil. One bag of popcorn per receipt. This offer is only applicable for Symphony For Kids concerts, and can only be redeemed on the specific date of your concert.

Specials Concerts

  • The concert will be approximately two hours, including a 20-minute intermission.
  • Pre-order service is available from all beverage stations for any guests who wish to pre-order their concession items for intermission. Pre-orders must be paid for at the time of ordering.
  • Popcorn and drinks purchased at the Winspear will be allowed in the chamber for these concerts.
  • Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.