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The world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert will welcome a new maestro in 2026, as internationally acclaimed conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium for the very first time in this iconic musical tradition.
The Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert 2026 will take place on January 1 in the prestigious Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna, marking a historic debut by Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin. This celebrated annual concert, broadcast live to more than 150 countries, is expected to captivate an audience of nearly 50 million viewers worldwide.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of the most respected conductors of his generation. Since 2018, he has served as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, while also leading the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2012. In addition, he has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Orchestre Métropolitain of Montréal, where he has been Music Director and Principal Conductor for over 25 years. His international reputation was further shaped during his tenure as Principal Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra from 2008 to 2018, after which he was named Conductor Laureate. He is also an honorary member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
A cherished tradition of the New Year’s Concert is the performance of Johann Strauß’ Radetzky March, op. 228. First introduced to the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert repertoire in 1946 under conductor Josef Krips, the march has since become an inseparable part of the programme, traditionally performed as an encore alongside The Blue Danube Waltz.
Equally iconic are the floral decorations that transform the Golden Hall into a breathtaking visual spectacle. Since 2015, the Vienna City Gardens, together with Austrian gardeners and florists, have collaborated with the Vienna Philharmonic to create vibrant floral arrangements. For the 2026 concert, audiences around the world can once again expect a stunning display of colour and elegance that enhances the festive atmosphere of the Musikverein.
Due to overwhelming global interest, tickets for the Vienna Philharmonic’s three traditional end-of-year concerts, including the New Year’s Concert, are allocated through a lottery system conducted via the orchestra’s official website at the beginning of each year.
With Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s debut at the helm, the New Year’s Concert 2026 promises to be a memorable celebration of music, tradition, and artistic excellence.
