If you're looking for ways to cheer up your evenings – perhaps a post-work, weekday treat or a weekend activity – the RadioTimes.com team have found a solution: candlelight concerts.

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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 until the final song is being performed), 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.

Shop candlelight concerts across the UK at Fever

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Best candlelight concerts at a glance:

Best UK candlelight concerts to see in March 2024

Hans Zimmer's Best Works at Central Hall Westminster

A range of musicians playing classical instruments
Hans Zimmer candlelit concert. Fever

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 Arva 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 will be taking place on Friday 15th March, with another chance to enjoy it on Friday 12th 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 £33 at Fever

Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi at Glaziers Hall

Musicians surrounded by lit candles
The Best of Joe Hisaishi at Halle St Peter's. Fever

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 Friday 8th March.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi tickets from £29 at Fever

Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at St Anne's Cathedral

stevie nicks fleetwood mac candlelight concert 2023
Getty / Larry Hulst Getty / Larry Hulst

We've heard some Rumours that listening to Fleetwood Mac by candlelight is the stuff that Dreams are made of. If you want to experience it for yourself, be sure to keep Saturday 23rd March free.

Prepare to hear some of the iconic band's classic tracks, including Landslide, The Chain and Go Your Own Way, this time played on piano and violin.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac tickets from £20 at Fever

Candlelight: A Tribute to Rihanna at Halle St Peters

Rihanna
Mike Coppola/Getty Images Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Please Don't Stop The Music, especially when it's Rihanna songs by candlelight! Fans of the Barbadian singer can catch her biggest hits performed live at Manchester's Halle St Peters by the String Infusion string quartet.

You'll have the chance to catch the music on Saturday 30th March.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Rihanna tickets from £26.50

Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen at St Mary Redcliffe

John Deacon and Freddie Mercury of Queen performing in 1980
Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Saturday 16th March, put the date in your diaries. Queen fans can catch the rock bands greatest hits with prices starting at just £9 for a restricted view ticket- now that's a bargain.

Expect to hear everything, from Don't Stop Me Now to Love of My Life, all performed by a string quartet that's yet to be announced.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen tickets from £9

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

Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

burning orange candles close up
Getty Images/ Smitt Getty Images / Smitt

Here's one for the classical music lovers. You can enjoy the music of Vivaldi by candlelight in the beautiful surroundings of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The complete Four Seasons will be performed by the Sekine quartet and you can catch the concert on Friday 26th April.

Buy Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons tickets from £22

Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele at Southwark Cathedral

Adele Performs At The O2 Arena
Adele. Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

Adele has been the soundtrack to many a break-up, sad car journey and melancholy stroll, and now you can hear her music live performed by an incredible orchestra. 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.

The concert will take place on Saturday 20th April but be aware that tickets are selling fast.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele tickets from £34.50 at Fever

Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA at Southwark Cathedral

ABBA performers mid-song
Getty/Gus Stewart Getty Images

Mamma Mia, we just can't get enough of ABBA! If you're looking for the perfect follow up experience after seeing ABBA Voyage, there's no better option than seeing ABBA's classic hits performed by a string quartet by candlelight. Keep Thursday 11th April free for this event.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA tickets from £34.50 at Fever

Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay at National Justice Museum

Coldplay's Chris Martin with his arms stretched out
Cold Play. GettyImages/Santiago Bluguermann GettyImages/Santiago Bluguermann

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 heart of Nottingham, the 41 degrees quartet will transport you as they perform songs including Fix You and Yellow.

The concert will take place on Thursday 18th April.

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay tickets from £28 at Fever

A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Manchester Cathedral

Taylor Swift in a black top and white skirt, singing
Taylor Swift. GettyImages/Christopher Polk TAS

UK Swifties might be keenly waiting for next summer's UK leg of the Eras Tour, and we count ourselves among them, but in the meantime, this is a great way to hear Swift's music in a unique setting.

This promises to be one to remember, with a string quartet performing some of Swift's biggest hits including Shake It Off, Cardigan and Blank Space. This concert takes place on Friday 12th April.

Buy A Tribute to Taylor Swift tickets from £26 at Fever

Want to stay up to date with the latest Swiftie news? Here's everything you need to know about Taylor Swift's Eras tour film.

For performances in Manchester, take a look at the best Manchester theatre shows. Plus, here's how to get cheap theatre tickets.

Candlelight: A Tribute to Ed Sheeran at Southwark Cathedral

Ed Sheeran performing live playing acoustic guitar
Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images

We're just Thinking Out Loud here, but wouldn't an Ed Sheeran candlelight concert be the perfect night out? You can experience the songwriter's most popular works played by candlelight on Friday 12th April at London's glorious Southwark Cathedral – nothing could be more Perfect.

The yet-to-be-announced string quartet will perform a selection of hits including Shape of You, A Team, Bad Habits and many more. See you there you Beautiful People!

Buy Candlelight: A Tribute to Ed Sheeran tickets from £29.50 at Fever

The RadioTimes.com team were lucky enough to attend the Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros performance, and you can read our candlelight concert review here.

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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.

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