Toronto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates The Year Of The Horse With A Joyous Lunar New Year Concert On February 28, 2026

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is delighted to welcome the Year of the Horse with a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Back by enthusiastic demand, Year of the Horse: A Lunar New Year Celebration brings together spectacular guest artists, cherished musical traditions, and community festivities in an evening that honours renewal, prosperity, and joyful togetherness.

The concert will be led by internationally acclaimed conductor Carolyn Kuan, with beloved comedian Dashan (Mark Rowswell) returning as host and narrator. Joining them is world-renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man, celebrated globally for her artistry and commitment to expanding the instrument’s reach, and Ryan Huang, a 15-year-old piano prodigy and Lang Lang International Music Foundation Young Scholar, who will perform the first movement of Grieg’s Piano Concerto. The program will be enriched by a dance performance from Yang Yang Dance Studio, adding a dimension of colour, movement, and cultural storytelling to the celebration. Bank of China (Canada) will sponsor the Lunar New Year concert for the 3rd consecutive year.

This year’s program features a dynamic selection of works from Western and Chinese classical traditions, as well as celebratory favourites befitting the season. Highlights include Li Huanzhi’s rousing Spring Festival Overture; Vivian Fung’s Pizzicato; Zhao Jiping’s Concerto No. 2; Chen Gexin’s beloved Gōngxǐ Gōngxǐ (恭喜恭喜); Huang Ruo’s Folk Songs; and Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan’s spirited Dance of the Yao People.

The evening also marks the world première of 蜀道難 Shu Dao Nan (The Way to Shu is Treacherous) by composer Alison Yun Fei Jiang—a former TSO RBC Affiliate Composer—adding a special Toronto connection to this festive occasion.

Carolyn Kuan, conductorDashan 大山, host & narratorWu Man, pipaRyan Huang, piano (Lang Lang International Music Foundation Young Scholar)

Lobby Festivities

The festivities begin at 6:30pm in the Roy Thomson Hall lobby, where guests can enjoy a lively lion dance performance, explore a curated Asian artisan market, and participate in family-friendly cultural activities before taking their seats for the concert.

Purchasing Tickets

Tickets for the performance are on sale now.​ To purchase, visit TSO.CA, call 416.598.3375, or visit the TSO Patron Services Centre.

Group Tickets

Groups of ten or more save 20% on tickets. To purchase, visit TSO.CA/Groups or email us at groupsales@TSO.CA, or call 416.593.5338 for details.

Exclusive Pre-concert Cocktail Reception & Dinner

To further elevate the celebration, the TSO is offering an exclusive Pre-concert Cocktail Reception & Dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto.

4:30pm–7:00pm — Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto

7:30pm–9:30pm — Lunar New Year Concert at Roy Thomson Hall

Proceeds from the TSO’s Lunar New Year Celebration pre-concert dinner support the orchestra’s expansive community engagement and education activities which reach over 40,000 young people ​ annually, over 400 seniors in care, and 1,300 neurodiverse patrons. Our programs serve all pockets of our community with enriching and impactful music experiences.

To reserve or for more information, please contact:

Yoomee Choo, Associate Director, Community Giving

ychoo@TSO.CA | 416.595.4269

About the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

For more than a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. The TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-well-being, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists. Symphony With Us at a concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or Newsroom.TSO.CA.

Year of the Horse: A Lunar New Year Celebration is presented by the Bank of China (Canada).

The TSO acknowledges Mary Beck as the Musicians’ Patron in perpetuity for her generous and longstanding support.

The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO.

The TSO’s Education and Community Engagement programs are generously supported by the Barrett Family Foundation.