4 outdoor classical concerts abroad that I would love to attend!

As travel restrictions due to Covid-19 begin to lift, many of you might be considering traveling overseas again. While the idea might not be so common in Japan, there are plenty of places abroad where you can enjoy classical music outdoors! Listening to classical music while soaking in the atmosphere outside sounds so elegant, doesn’t it? So, here are some (personally selected) outdoor classical concerts abroad that I would love to visit! (^_^)

Waldbühne Concert in Berlin, Germany

Location (Google Map)

The Berlin Philharmonic’s Waldbühne Concert is held at an open-air amphitheater on the outskirts of Berlin. The concert marks the end of the season in mid-June each year, attracting an audience of over 20,000 people. The name ‘Waldbühne’ translates to ‘Forest Stage’, and true to its name, the venue is surrounded by a forest! The relaxed vibe of the audience, which you can sometimes catch on TV broadcasts in Japan, is something rarely seen at classical concerts here.

Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert in Vienna, Austria

Location (Google Map)

Next up is an outdoor concert in the music capital, Vienna. This concert has been held annually since 2004. Remarkably, the stage is set in the gardens of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Schönbrunn Palace! As seen in the videos, listening to top-class performances by the Vienna Philharmonic amidst illuminated historical buildings is truly moving. This concert is also broadcast worldwide.

Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago, USA

Location (Google Map)

This festival is held over 10 weeks from June to August in Chicago’s Millennium Park. In 2022, the festival featured the world premiere of a string quartet by multiple Grammy-winning jazz artist Billy Childs. Imagine listening to music while feeling the Chicago ‘breeze’ by the lakeside—what could be better!?

Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox, USA

Location (Google Map)

This festival takes place every summer in Tanglewood, located in the countryside of Massachusetts. Although it may seem like an indoor concert by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the back part of the venue is open-air, where you can freely lay down a picnic blanket. I actually attended this festival about five years ago! It was before the pandemic, so it was bustling with many spectators. The giant gelato was delicious too!

So, these are the four outdoor classical concerts abroad that I would love to attend! It’s a true blessing to enjoy world-class concerts while feeling the atmosphere of these places! Why not consider choosing your next travel destination based on an international music festival?
And after experiencing a classical concert there, you might just find yourself wanting to pick up an instrument that appeared in the videos! If you’re looking to get one at a reasonable price, Sound House is highly recommended. Keep it in mind as one of your options! There are plenty of instruments to choose from, not just the ones featured below!