What to wear to the symphony with kids

Most orchestras have no dress code. People wear anything from jeans to suits. For a family, neat and comfortable clothes are right for almost every concert: the kind of outfit you would wear to a nice restaurant or a school event. Check the orchestra’s website if you are unsure. Many have a page for first-time visitors that answers this question.

The short answer

Concert	Adults	Children
Family or children’s concert	Everyday clothes	Everyday clothes. Costumes are welcome at some.
Afternoon concert	Smart casual	Neat and comfortable
Evening concert	Smart casual to dressy	A step up from school clothes
Opening night or a gala	Dressy or formal	Party clothes
Outdoor summer concert	Casual, with layers	Casual, with layers

What works for children

Comfort first. A child who itches or feels squeezed will wriggle. Soft fabrics and a loose waist help a child to sit through a long piece.

Quiet clothes. Skip jackets that rustle, shoes that squeak, and bracelets or beads that click.

Quiet shoes. Soft soles are best. Hard soles tap on a wooden floor when small legs swing.

Layers. Concert halls are often cool. Bring a cardigan or a sweater.

Something a bit special. Many children like to dress up for a big outing. A favorite dress or a shirt with a collar helps the night feel like an occasion.

What works for adults

Smart casual covers almost everything: trousers or a skirt, with a shirt, a sweater, or a blouse. Add a jacket for an evening concert if you like.

You will see some people in suits and gowns, and some in jeans. Both are fine.

What to skip

• Strong perfume. The seats are close together.
• Tall hats and big hair clips. The person behind you needs to see.
• Noisy bags. Leave plastic bags and crinkly wrappers in the car.
• Lights. Shoes that flash, and watches and toys that glow, distract the people nearby.
• A big coat on your lap. Use the coat check if there is one.

Does the kind of music matter?

A little. An evening of Beethoven draws a dressier crowd than a film music night. A concert of film music or video game music may have people in costume. Holiday concerts bring out red, green, and sparkle.

For ballet in December, read what to wear to The Nutcracker.

What do the musicians wear?

The players wear black, or black and white. For evening concerts, many orchestras ask for formal wear: long black clothes, or a tailcoat with a white bow tie.

There is a reason for it. When everyone on stage is dressed alike, the eye is not pulled to one person, and the audience listens to the group.

Soloists wear what they like. A violin soloist may be the one spot of color on the stage.

What to bring

• Tickets, on paper or on a phone
• A sweater
• Tissues
• A small, silent thing for little hands, such as a soft toy
• A booster cushion, if the hall does not lend them

Leave snacks for the break. Most halls do not allow food in the seats.

A worry to let go of

Many parents fear that they will be underdressed. Orchestras want families in the seats. No usher will turn away a child in clean school clothes.

Things to do together

Lay it out. Choose the outfits the day before. Let your child have a say.

Sit test. Have your child sit still in the outfit for five minutes while music plays. If they tug at something, change it.

Spot the black. At the concert, look at what the players are wearing. Find the one who looks different. It is often the soloist or the conductor.

Print and play

For the theater, read what to wear to the ballet or the opera with kids. Print the concert scavenger hunt. Read first orchestra concert with kids, concert etiquette for kids, and when to clap at a classical concert.