Strathmore has announced its 2025–2026 season, featuring a wide range of performances from September through June. Highlights include appearances by Elizabeth Gilbert, David Sedaris, Herbie Hancock, Natalia Lafourcade, Joshua Bell, and the Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes.
According to Strathmore, the season’s programming was designed to reflect “bold artistry, cultural celebration, and genre-spanning performances,” with safety, access, and creativity in mind. Events will take place across three venues: The Music Center and The Mansion in North Bethesda, and the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center in Silver Spring.
Per Strathmore: “Strathmore announces its dynamic 2025–2026 season, showcasing bold artistry, cultural celebration, and genre-spanning performances that bridge generations and cultures. From acclaimed storytellers like Elizabeth Gilbert and David Sedaris to international icons like Natalia Lafourcade and Compagnie Hervé KOUBI, this season invites audiences to connect through music, humor, and creative experiences.
Running from September through June, Strathmore’s upcoming season features award-winning artists, theatrical favorites, global sounds, holiday traditions, and intimate chamber music, presented at The Music Center and The Mansion in North Bethesda, and the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center in Silver Spring.
The Music Center:
Award-Winning Artists & Cultural Icons
The Music Center at Strathmore opens its season with best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert (Sept. 21), who shares insights from her latest book, All the Way to the River. Genre-defying duo Black Violin (Sept. 25) blends classical and hip-hop, while John Cleese (Oct. 4) brings comedy and nostalgia with a 50th anniversary screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Vocal powerhouses Joss Stone (Oct. 9) and Ben Folds (Oct. 15) perform intimate acoustic sets, followed by flamenco fusion icons Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes (Oct. 16). Fan-favorite humorist David Sedaris (Oct. 26) returns with his trademark wit, and jazz legend Herbie Hancock (Nov. 1) offers a career-spanning retrospective.
The season also features culinary star Yotam Ottolenghi (Mar. 3), acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (March 6), and the bold, bass-driven stylings of Meshell Ndegeocello (March 27).
Broadway & Family Favorites
Broadway brilliance coupled with family fun with Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert (Oct. 12), combining on-screen storytelling with on-stage instrumentation, will also shine this season. Legendary performer Lea Salonga (Dec. 6) sings from her Broadway and Disney songbook, and RENT in Concert (Feb. 25) reimagines the iconic musical with symphonic power. The Grammy-winning Okee Dokee Brothers (March 22) bring joyful, family-friendly Americana folk.
Global Sounds & Dance
Global voices take the spotlight with pianist Ludovico Einaudi (Oct. 7) performing from his new album Summer Portraits and the joyful harmonies of Soweto Gospel Choir (Oct. 10). Dance innovators include Compagnie Hervé KOUBI (Oct. 30), Tango After Dark (Feb. 22), and Pilobolus: Other Worlds (March 5).
The Silkroad Ensemble featuring Wu Man (Nov. 16) traces stories of the American railroad, while the Ravi Shankar Ensemble (Mar. 19) honors the sitar master’s musical legacy. Latin Grammy record-holder Natalia Lafourcade (April 14 & 15) offers two intimate performances, followed by the uplifting Ladysmith Black Mambazo (March 26) and Grammy winner Eliades Ochoa (April 19), blending Cuban folk and storytelling.
Jazz, Folk & Roots
Boundary-pushing performances include pianist Hiromi with her electric quartet Sonicwonder (Sept. 26) and vocalist Lizz Wright (Oct. 5) who blends gospel, jazz, and Southern soul. Mandolinist Chris Thile (Oct. 17) showcases his genre-mixing virtuosity, and Patty Griffin and Rickie Lee Jones (Oct. 24) each take the stage for a night of poetic storytelling.
Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling performs with the Strathmore Jazz Orchestra (Feb. 13), while Emmett Cohen (March 21) pays tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Other standouts include the vibrant Angélique Kidjo (April 9) and the always-cheeky Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (April 12).
Holiday Hits
Celebrate the season with multimedia magic from Mannheim Steamroller (Nov. 28) and holiday cheer from Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, and Tim Davis in A Swingin’ Little Christmas (Nov. 29). Dave Koz returns with his all-star holiday tour (Dec. 4), followed by Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas (Dec. 11). Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (Dec. 14) reunite for a rare performance of their Grammy-winning holiday album.
Music in the Mansion:
Classical Highlights
Enjoy intimate concerts in the Mansion at Strathmore’s historic Music Room, beginning with Grammy-winning flutist Brandon Patrick George and pianist Leah Claiborne (Sept. 4), celebrating Black composers. Baritone Benjamin Appl and pianist James Baillieu (Oct. 30) perform classic art songs, and the Hermitage Piano Trio (Jan. 22) thrills with chamber favorites. Other performances include the Dorian Wind Quintet (Feb. 5), Dublin Guitar Quartet (Feb. 19), and the forward-thinking Overlook Quartet (March 12).
Folk, Jazz & Global
Explore diverse traditions with the André Mehmari Trio (Sept. 25), blending Brazilian roots with jazz, and Celtic duo Jesse & Kevin (Nov. 6). American roots veterans Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer join hammered dulcimer artist Chao Tian (Nov. 9), while The Thirteen vocal ensemble (Nov. 20) performs nature-inspired works.
Additional highlights include Lily Henley with Duncan Wickel (Dec. 11), Lorelei Ensemble (Dec. 14), jazz vocalist Christie Dashiell (Jan. 18), and theatrical folk duo Sons of Town Hall (Feb. 22). Bolero revivalists Miramar (Feb. 26), innovative harpist Lily Neill (March 5), Nordic jazz group Tord Gustavsen Trio (March 29), pianist Charlotte Hu (April 2), and genre-fusing trio Biribá Union (April 12) round out the series.
Bloom at Good Hope:
Strathmore’s Bloom at Good Hope Concert Series returns with free/pay-what-you-can performances at the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center in Silver Spring, spotlighting local talent and Artists in Residence alumni. This season features Dante’ Pope (Sept. 13) with a soulful tribute to Sam Cooke; Alex Hamburger (Oct. 11) celebrating women composers across genres; Marcel Penzes (Nov. 8) bringing lively New Orleans jazz on trombone; and Elijah Jamal Balbed & the JoGo Project (Dec. 13) putting a Go-Go twist on festive favorites. Additional Bloom by Strathmore concerts will be announced throughout the season.
New Shows, All Year
Building on this exciting lineup, Strathmore’s dynamic programming allows new performances to be added throughout the 2025–2026 season as artists become available. For more information and a complete schedule of The Music Center, The Mansion, and other partner and special events, visit www.strathmore.org. Tickets are available online or by calling 301-581-5100.”