FAQs
Whether you’re attending your first NY Phil performance, or you’ve been attending for years, here are the answers to the questions we’re asked most often. If you still have questions, feel free to contact our Customer Relations team at (212) 875-5656 or customerservice@nyphil.org.
Tickets & Subscriptions
What is the difference between Curated and Create Your Own Series?
Our Create Your Own Series allows you to pick and choose the dates that fit your schedule. You are seated ahead of the public, and there are no fees if you need to exchange your ticket plus other benefits.
What are Add-On tickets?
How do eTickets work?
It’s fast, simple, and convenient!
During the checkout process, choose e-Tickets as your delivery method. You may then access your tickets by visiting the Upcoming Events section of your account and clicking Manage Tickets. You may then print your tickets or save the e-Tickets directly to your smartphone. Either way, your tickets will be scanned at the gate for entry to the event.
What if I did not receive my confirmation email or e-Tickets?
E-tickets are also accessible by logging into your account and visiting My Upcoming Events.
What if dates, artists, or programs change?
Occasionally there are unavoidable changes to the originally announced concert date, guest artist, or program, and we strive to notify you via email when this happens. Your tickets for such concerts are valid regardless of the change and are not refundable.
What if I’m unable to attend a concert?
Exchange Online, In Person, or Over the Phone: To exchange online, log into your account, select My Upcoming Events, and click the Exchange icon below the tickets you wish to exchange. Follow the steps to select the seats you would like to exchange into and check out. To exchange in person, please visit David Geffen Hall.
Subscribers can exchange tickets over the phone by calling (212) 875-5656. Phone exchanges require the ticket number and authorization number found on the ticket.
All exchanges must be completed at least two hours before the scheduled concert time.
Give Your Tickets to a Friend: Call (212) 875-5656 or email customerservice@nyphil.org at least two hours before the concert time to have the tickets transferred to your friend’s name and held at Will Call. E-tickets can be forwarded to your friend and do not require them to access your account.
Donate Your Tickets: This qualifies as a tax-deductible contribution to the New York Philharmonic. To donate online, log into your account, select My Upcoming Events, and click the Donate icon below the tickets you wish to exchange.. A tax-acknowledgement will be sent to you within two weeks of the concert passing.
Everyone can donate tickets over the phone by calling (212) 875-5656. Phone donations require the ticket number and authorization number found on the ticket.
What is your exchange policy?
If you are exchanging into a more expensive section or concert, you will be charged the difference in price. Any special offers used for the initial purchase will not apply.
If you are exchanging into a less expensive seating section, you will accrue a ticket exchange credit. Tickets cannot be exchanged into future seasons and the ticket exchange credit will expire at the end of the season. It will not be refunded. You may donate your ticket exchange credit toward a membership.
Exchanges can be done online by logging into My Account and visiting the Upcoming Events section, or by calling the Customer Relations team at (212) 875-5656. A $10 per ticket exchange fee is applied to all single ticket exchanges. Non-subscription tickets must be exchanged online or in person at the David Geffen Hall Welcome Center; they are not eligible to be exchanged over the phone.
Please visit nyphil.org/ticketinfo for additional details about our exchange policy.
Venues & Accessibility
Where do the concerts take place?
The home of the New York Philharmonic — David Geffen Hall, located at Lincoln Center, West 65th and Broadway in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Learn more about the new David Geffen Hall and all of our venues here.
Where can I see the seating chart?
What health and safety policies are in place?
Since the start of the pandemic, the NY Phil has worked with medical experts throughout the ever-changing COVID landscape to develop guidelines to mitigate risk and create the safest environment for all. Given current case counts and availability of vaccines, boosters, and antiviral treatments, we are updating our mask policy per the recommendations of our medical advisers:
- As of October 24, 2022, masks are no longer required at NY Phil concerts. Masks and face coverings are encouraged, but optional.
- The vaccination policy remains unchanged: audience members are not required to show proof of full vaccination in order to attend an event.
To read more about our current policies, visit our Health & Safety page.
May I request wheelchair and other accessible seating?
May I reserve a parking space?
Concert Experience
What kind of music does the NY Phil play?
In addition to orchestral concerts, the NY Phil showcases soloists and small ensemble performances through our Artist Spotlight and Sound On series.
Who are the musicians in the NY Phil?
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, English horn
Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, French horn, Tuba
Percussion: Timpani, Harp, Xylophone
Jaap van Zweden is our music director which means he is the primary conductor and artistic leader of the NY Phil. Several performances are led by guest conductors, who visit for a period and collaborate with the orchestra to bring in their unique musical perspective. Many concerts also feature guest artists who perform accompanied by the orchestra.
Do I need to know the music before I attend a concert?
Some audience members find it enhances their enjoyment if they read the Program Notes about the composers and pieces to be played before attending. We post each concert’s Program Notes two weeks prior to the performance and the notes are included in the Playbill.
When should I arrive? What if I arrive late?
We suggest you arrive 30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. That will give you ample time to find your seat, relax, read the Program Notes, and watch the musicians as they take the stage. New York Philharmonic concerts begin promptly at the announced starting time. In consideration of the performers and fellow concertgoers, we ask that you remain in your seat until the concert has ended.
Concerts begin promptly at the announced starting time. Latecomers and those who leave the hall before or during a work will only be seated if there are appropriate breaks in the program.
What should I wear?
What is your food and beverage policy?
The David Geffen Hall Lobby Bar and Coffee Bar are open to the public. Bars serving beer, wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks are accessible to ticketholders before the concert and during intermission.
A full-service restaurant on the lobby level, Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, serves Afro-Caribbean cuisine inspired by the chef’s childhood in the Bronx and the old neighborhood of San Juan Hill. Visit tatiananyc.com to learn more and make a reservation using RESY.
No outside food or beverages permitted. No food or beverages of any kind permitted inside the Wu Tsai Theater unless otherwise noted.
When do I applaud?
Can I bring my cell phone or camera?
Yes, cell phones and cameras are allowed. However, we require that you turn off all electronic devices before the performance begins.
Audience members may take photographs before and after the concert, as well as during intermission and applause. No photography or recording of any kind is permitted during the performance. Anyone seen using a camera, smart phone, or other device for these activities will be asked to leave.
What is your policy on bringing young children?
Children ages 5 and up are welcome to attend all NY Phil concerts. Our Young People’s Concerts are specifically designed to delight children ages 6–12 and their families.
How can I learn more?
The Program Notes for each concert are posted on the New York Philharmonic website before the concert date. These notes will have information about the composer(s) and piece(s) to be played. Audio samples are also available for selected works in the concert calendar.
Kids of all ages will enjoy learning about the orchestra on our Learning @ Home page.
You can also sign up for our newsletters to stay up-to-date on all the events and activities happening at the NY Phil.