2026 World Orchestra Festival: Where Daegu Meets the World Through Music

World Orchestra Festival

This autumn, the city of Daegu will once again become a vibrant meeting place for orchestral music from Korea and around the world. The 2026 World Orchestra Festival, presented by Daegu Concert House, will take place from 18 Sep to 27 Nov, bringing 16 leading orchestras and ensembles to the city over 71 days. 

World Orchestra Festival – Daegu Symphony Orchestra

Now in its 13th edition, the World Orchestra Festival has grown into one of Korea’s most distinctive orchestral festivals. Launched in 2013 as the Asia Orchestra Festival, it has continuously expanded its international reach, connecting world-class orchestras, Korean ensembles, musicians, and audiences. Today, the festival reflects Daegu’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, serving not only as a celebration of classical music but also as a platform for cultural exchange.  

Yekwon Sunwoo & Estonian National Symphony Orchestra – Yekwon Sunwoo, Piano (Photo credit: rohsh)

The 2026 festival opens with two remarkable international orchestras. On 18 Sep, the Orchestre National de Metz Grand Est from France will take the stage with pianist Shin Chang-yong, followed on 19 Sep by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its centenary this year, with pianist Sunwoo Yekwon. With these two opening concerts, the festival begins with a musical journey across borders and traditions. 

Inmo Yang & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra – Inmo Yang, Violin (Photo credit: Jino Park)

The international lineup continues with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform with acclaimed Korean violinist Inmo Yang on 20 Oct. The festival will also present the English Chamber Orchestra with violinist Sujin Han, the Mantova Chamber Orchestra with violinist Lim Hyun-jae, and the Dresden Staatskapelle Brass Ensemble, offering audiences a wide spectrum of orchestral and chamber music traditions from across Europe. 

At the same time, the festival places a strong emphasis on Korea’s vibrant classical music scene. Major Korean ensembles including the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Daegu Symphony Orchestra, Gyeongsan Symphony Orchestra, Gyeongsangbukdo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Daegu International Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra will join the programme. Young musicians will also take centre stage through performances by the Gyeongbuk Arts High School Orchestra and the Daegu Youth Orchestra, creating opportunities for musical exchange between established professionals and the next generation. 

One of the defining features of the festival is its commitment to bringing classical music beyond the concert hall. Alongside the main performances at Daegu Concert House, Fringe Concerts will take place at various locations across the city, including public spaces and popular urban destinations. Free performances and other accessible programmes are designed to make orchestral music a more natural part of everyday life and invite audiences who may not regularly visit a concert hall. 

The festival also highlights the work of composers active in the region, presenting new pieces written for the 2026 World Orchestra Festival. These newly commissioned works will be performed by orchestras taking part in the festival, bringing the music of local composers to audiences alongside works from the international and Korean repertoire. 

For Daegu, the festival is more than an annual series of concerts. It is an expression of the city’s musical identity and its ambition to connect local audiences with the global classical music community. From internationally renowned orchestras to emerging young performers, from the concert hall to the streets of the city, the 2026 World Orchestra Festival invites everyone to experience the many faces of orchestral music. 

This autumn, Daegu will not simply host the world’s orchestras. It will listen to them, connect with them, and celebrate them together.