Best candlelight concerts to see in March 2023
Here is our guide to the best candlelight concerts to see this year in UK cities including London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
The winter months can be tricky for lots of people. Although hope is on the horizon — and that hope comes in the form of the sun now rising at 6:24am and setting at almost 6pm — the days are still plagued with drizzle and clouds.
If you're looking for ways to cheer up your evenings, or to embrace the long nights, we think we've found a solution — candlelight concerts.
These concerts are a great way to experience you favourite music in, well, a different light. Not only does the candlelight allow you to focus on the sound away from any distractions (phones are strictly banned at most events), but it also lets you appreciate the atmosphere only the early evenings can provide.
Many of these concerts also take place in unique settings, adding to the ambiance. Whether it's in a church, cathedral or something more unusual like outside in some gardens (wrap up warm for that one), these concerts are a way to experience your music away from the formality of concert halls.
So, whether you're a fan of classical string music or pop tunes are more your taste, there's a candlelight concert to suit everyone. Here is our list of the best ones taking place across the UK this year.
More like this
Shop for candlelight concerts across the UK at Fever
Best candlelight concerts at a glance:
- A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, from £15
- Tribute to Coldplay, from £20
- The Best of The Beatles, from £20
- A Tribute to Taylor Swift, from £20
- A Tribute to Amy Winehouse, from £20
- The Best of Joe Hisaishi, from £20
- A Tribute to Adele, from £20
- Hans Zimmer's Best Works, from £22
- Vivaldi and Mozart, from £25
- A Tribute to Beyoncé, from £25
- A Tribute to ABBA, from £25
- Oscar-Winning Scores, from £28
Best UK candlelight concerts to see in March 2023
Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé at Glazier's Hall
She's known as Queen B for a reason. If you or someone you know are fans of Beyoncé (and let's face it, who isn't?) tickets to this tribute would make an amazing gift. The City String Ensemble will perform Beyoncé's hits in a way you've never heard them before, and surrounded by candlelight. It might be a slightly different atmosphere from attending one of Beyoncé's own concerts, but promises to be no less special.
With one date on Saturday 18th March and another on Friday 14th April, there's not long to wait until you can hear Drunk in Love performed by a violin. What're you waiting for?
Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce tickets from £25 at Fever
Looking for other things to do in London? Check out our guides to the best London art exhibitions and the top London walking tours.
Hans Zimmer's Best Works at Central Hall Westminster
Hans Zimmer has written some of the most memorable and well loved scores for the big and small screen. And what better way to experience his music than played by the Avra Quartet, surrounded by candles. You'll hear music from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Crown and The Lion King to name just a few.
This concert has one date this month, as well as one in April. It's looking really popular so we'd recommend acting quickly if you've got your eye on some tickets.
Buy Hans Zimmer's Best Works tickets from £22 at Fever
A Tribute to Amy Winehouse Hallé St Peter's
Amy Winehouse's music is known for it's soulful sound and jazz influences. An artist lost too soon, this candlelight concert taking place at Hallé St Peter's is a tribute to her greatest work and will include hits like Back to Black and You Know I'm No Good.
It's taking place for one night only on Friday 24th March, and tickets are selling fast, so we recommend you buy now to avoid disappointment.
Buy A Tribute to Amy Winehouse tickets from £20 at Fever
Whether you're based in the northern city or you're there visiting, take a look at the best Manchester theatre shows to do of an evening.
Vivaldi and Mozart at Palm House
The magic of many candlelight concerts lies not only in the ambiance of the music, but in the amazing setting. This performance of music by classical composers Vivaldi and Mozart will take place in Palm House at Sefton Park. The Victorian glass conservatory was given to the city of Liverpool in the late 1800s and houses a number or tropical plants that should add to the ambiance of the flickering candles and string music.
Taking place on Thursday 30th March and Saturday 15th April, we think this would make a great date night.
Buy Vivaldi and Mozart tickets from £25 at Fever
A Tribute to ABBA at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Are you a dancing queen, young and sweet, only 17? Well get yourself down to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on 17th February, for this looks to be an ABBA tribute unlike any other. ABBA has been inspiring tribute bands for years, including the recent ABBA Voyage tour, but we imagine few of them were made up exclusively of string instruments.
You'll get to hear all the hits, including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia and Thank You For the Music, on either Friday 17th March or Wednesday 26th April.
Buy A Tribute to ABBA tickets from £25 at Fever
Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at St Anne's Cathedral
Since we found this candlelight concert, we've had the lyrics, "Thunder only happens when it's raining, players only love you when they're playing" on a loop in our heads — and if that isn't testament to how wonderfully catchy Fleetwood Mac's songs are, we don't know what is!
Located at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, this Fleetwood Mac candlelight concert featuring piano and violin duo Ruth McGinley and Joanne Quigley will perform some of Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits, like Dreams and The Chain, live. This performance will take place on Friday 24th March.
Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac tickets from £15 at Fever
Candlelight Special: Oscar-Winning Scores at The Caves
Awards season may be over soon, but you can still listen to the scores which won big at previous Academy Awards ceremonies. Featuring songs from recent movies, such as La La Land and The Shape of Water, to classics like Breakfast at Tiffany's, West Side Story and Titanic, this hour-long candlelight concert is sure to have something for everyone.
The candlelight concert will take place at The Caves in Edinburgh — a gorgeous venue located in Edinburgh's Old Town — on Wednesday 15th March.
Buy Candlelight Special: Oscar-Winning Scores tickets from £28 at Fever
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi at The Y Theatre
This next candlelight concert is right up one of our RadioTimes.com writer's streets, having watched Spirited Away at least twice a year every year since primary school.
Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi is best known for his scores in Studio Ghibli films, such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Ponyo and Howl's Moving Castle, and this candlelight concert in Leicester gives you the opportunity to experience the stunning music under the glow of candlelight.
The performance is on for two nights only: Wednesday 22nd March and Saturday 22nd April.
Buy Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi tickets from £20 at Fever
How long are candlelight concerts?
Much like normal concerts, the length of candlelight concerts can vary quite a bit. Most of them last around an hour, with some stretching to 75 minutes, which make them the perfect event to pair with a meal out or drinks afterwards.
A lot of these performances also open their doors up to an hour before the performance begins, giving you time to find a seat (most seats are sold in pricing bands rather than as individual seats) and maybe even grab a refreshment before the music begins.
Which UK cities have candlelight concerts?
We've heard about candlelight concerts taking place across the UK. There are a lot of shows in the capital, but with many groups touring around, you're likely to be able to find one in your local city. From Edinburgh and Glasgow to Birmingham and Bristol, candlelight concerts seem only to be growing in popularity, and we'll keep updating this page with our favourite ones from across the UK.
More candlelight concerts for later this year
A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral
UK fans of Taylor Swift might be keenly waiting for her to announce any tour dates, and we count ourselves among them, but in the meantime, this is a pretty good way to hear Swift's music in a unique setting.
Southwark Cathedral is new to hosting candlelight concerts, and this promises to be one to remember, with a string quartet performing some of Swift's biggest hits including Shake It Off, Cardigan and Invisible String.
This concert takes place on Friday 14th April and Saturday 20th May, with each date hosting a performance at 7pm and 9pm.
Buy A Tribute to Taylor Swift tickets from £20 at Fever
Tribute to Coldplay at Birmingham Cathedral
This concert proves that candlelight doesn't just have to be for classical music. Coldplay are well known for the light displays put on in their own shows, but lit by candles alone, this tribute concert to the band will have quite a different atmosphere altogether. Set in the beauty of Birmingham Cathedral, the Sekine Quartet will transport you as they perform songs including Fix You and Yellow.
This concert is happening on Thursday 13th April.
Buy Tribute to Coldplay tickets from £20 at Fever
Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele at Birmingham Cathedral
For one night only on Saturday 15th April, hear Adele's gorgeous music performed by a string quartet, surrounded by candlelight. You'll experiences songs like Make You Feel My Love and Set Fire to the Rain, as well as tracks from her latest album 30 live. There are just a few tickets left for this concert, so be sure to snap them up fast if you're keen on attending.
Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele tickets from £20 at Fever
Candlelight Special Edition: The Best of The Beatles at St George's Hall
Arguably one of the most influential groups of all time, The Beatles have been immortalised in candlelight concert form in their home city of Liverpool. For one hour, you'll hear some of The Beatles' most popular records, such as Eleanor Rigby, Strawberry Fields Forever and Here Comes the Sun, performed by Liverpool String Quartet & Pianist.
The candlelight concert will take place on Saturday 1st April, with 6pm and 8:30pm shows.
Buy Candlelight Special Edition: The Best of The Beatles tickets from £20 at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in London at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in Manchester at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in Liverpool at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in Birmingham at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in Belfast at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in Edinburgh at Fever
- Shop more candlelight concerts in Leicester at Fever
If you're interested in staying up to date on concerts across the UK, check out our Going Out section. We've got everything to keep you entertained this month, like the best immersive experiences in London and the best West End shows.
