Reading your ticket is easy when you follow these helpful tips! You can always ask one of the ushers (wearing red jackets) if you have a question about your ticket.
- PATRON ID: Your Patron ID is your unique account number and helps us identify you easily. Cite this number when speaking with ticket representative from Ticket Philadelphia or the Box Office about your tickets. Your patron ID appears on all of your tickets.
- DOOR CLOSEST TO YOUR SEAT: Facing Verizon Hall with your back to the Perelman Theater, the letters run alphabetically, right to left.
- SECTION: Your section, which will indicate on which level you are seated. Section
Abbreviations
Ground Level:
Orchestra
Orchestra Box (Orch Box)
Orchestra Tier (Orch Tier)
(T1)
One Level Up:
First Tier
First Tier Box
Conductor's Circle (Cond Circle)
Second Tier Box
Second Tier Rows A-D
(T2)
Two Levels Up:
Second Tier Rows E-H
Third Tier Box
Third Tier Rows A-H
(T3)
Three Levels Up:
Third Tier Rows J-K
- ROW LETTER/BOX NUMBER: This will be the letter of your row or the number of your box.
- SEAT NUMBER: Your seat number within the row or box.
- RETURN CODE: Cite this number if you need to return your tickets.
> View an example ticket
All Philadelphia Orchestra concerts begin on time. Please give yourself plenty of time to get to your seats before the starting time. In order to minimize disturbances to other audience members who have already begun listening to the music, late seating breaks usually occur after the first piece on the program or at intermission. If you arrive after the concert begins, you will be asked to wait in Commonwealth Plaza until the piece concludes. If you sign up for the concert reminder e-mails, we will update you in advance regarding late seating information for your concert.
How do I get around?
Stairs are located on the north and south sides of the Kimmel Center, providing access to the Lower Level and Tiers 1-3.
Elevators on the northwest and southwest corners of the building provide access to Commonwealth Plaza (Ground Floor) and Tiers 1-3. One elevator on each side services the Kimmel Center parking garage. An additional elevator is located on the northeast side of the Kimmel Center, by the Spruce Street entrance, providing access to the parking garage, Lower Level, Commonwealth Plaza (Ground Floor), and Tiers 1-2.
Where are the restrooms?
Restrooms are located on the Lower Level and are accessible by the north and south stairs and the northeast elevator. Restrooms are also located in the northwest and southwest corners of Tiers 1-3. Additional restrooms are above the Perelman Theater on Tier 1.
Where is the Coat Check?
The complimentary coat check is located on the north side of the Lower Level, accessible by the north stairs and the northeast elevator.
When should I arrive?
All Philadelphia Orchestra concerts begin on time. Please give yourself plenty of time to get to your seats before the starting time.
What happens if I arrive late?
In order to minimize disturbances to other audience members who have already begun listening to the music, late seating breaks usually occur after the first piece on the program or at intermission. If you arrive after the concert begins, you will be asked to wait in Commonwealth Plaza until the piece concludes. If you sign up for the concert reminder e-mails, we will update you in advance regarding late seating information for your concert.
The Kimmel Center offers guests a variety of dining options.
Cadence Restaurant
Featuring spectacular views of the Avenue of the Arts, Cadence Restaurant offers fine contemporary French brasserie cuisine under the Kimmel Center's soaring glass roof.
Regular Cadence Hours:
Dinner: 5:00 PM-8:00 PM on Verizon Hall performance evenings
Matinee Lunch: 11:30 AM-2:00 PM on Verizon Hall matinee days Friday-Sunday
Click here for more information or to make reservations, or call 215.670.2388.
PECO Cafe
During the regular season, PECO Cafe, located in the Kimmel Center's Commonwealth Plaza, is open one hour prior to Verizon Hall and Perelman Theater evening and matinee performances, and during intermission. The Cafe serves sandwiches, pastries, and a variety of beverages, plus additional salads and soups during matinee performances.
Annex Lounge
Enjoy cocktails and themed martinis at the Annex Lounge, located on the south side of Commonwealth Plaza, next to Verizon Hall. Open for Verizon Hall performances only.
Avoid the intermission drink line!
Purchase your intermission drinks before the concert and skip the line at the PECO Cafe and/or Annex Bar. A reserved table with your order will be waiting when you exit the hall at intermission.
The Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel
1701 Locust St. at 17th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.735.6000
www.radisson.com/philadelphiapa
Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue
200 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.893.1234
www.ParkPhiladelphia.Hyatt.com
DoubleTree Hotel Philadelphia
237 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.893.1600
www.doubletree.com
Four Seasons Hotel-Philadelphia
130 N. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.963.1500
www.fourseasons.com
The Rittenhouse Hotel
210 W. Rittenhouse Sq.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
800.745.8883
www.rittenhousehotel.com
Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
10 Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.523.8000
www.ritzcarlton.com
Here are just a few restaurants in the area:
Du Jour
440 S. Broad St.
215.735.8010
Bellevue Food Court
S. Broad and Walnut St.
215.875.8350
Applebees
215 S. 15th St.
215.722.2790
Bliss
224 S. Broad St.
215.731.1100
Buca di Beppo
258 S. 15th St.
215.545.2818
The Capital Grill
S. Broad and Chestnut Sts.
215.545.9588
Cosi
235 S. 15th St.
215.893.9696
El Vez
121 S. 13th St.
215.928.9800
Estia
1407 Locust St.
215.735.7700
Fado Irish Pub
15th and Locust Sts.
215.893.9700
McCormick & Schmick's
1 S. Broad St.
215.568.6888
Olive Garden
1346 Chestnut St.
215.546.7950
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
260 S. Broad St.
215.790.1515
Sotto Varalli
231 S. Broad St.
215.546.6800
Ted's Montana Grill
260 S. Broad St.
215.772.1230
Valanni Restaurant and Lounge
1229 Spruce St.
215.790.9494
Nineteen-XIX
200 S. Broad St., 19th floor
215.790.1919
For our handicapped patrons, wheelchair-accessible seating is available throughout Perelman Theater and Verizon Hall. The Kimmel Center is wheelchair accessible from the entrances on Broad St. and Spruce St. All restrooms on all levels are accessible.
A limited number of ADA-compliant parking spaces are available in the underground garage on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchair-accessible elevators are located in the garage. Call 215.575.4018 for details.
For our hearing impaired patrons, assisted listening devices are available, with a deposit of a valid ID, at the Kimmel Center Coat-Check Desk (located on the lower level of the Kimmel Center on the north side).
Large-print programs are available for all Philadelphia Orchestra subscription performances at the House Manager's Office in the main lobby, as well as on each level of the Kimmel Center. Please ask an usher for assistance.
Online Program Notes
The Philadelphia Orchestra's program notes appear online approximately one week prior to each performance. Just click on the Individual Concert information page and the program notes will be listed on the right hand column. You will need to download Adobe Acrobat to view the program notes.
PreConcert Conversations
Beginning one hour before every Philadelphia Orchestra subscription concert, a special PreConcert Conversation will give you insights into the music and music-makers you will hear on the program. PreConcert Conversations are free to all ticket holders and include discussions led by distinguished area faculty, and behind-the-scenes information. PreConcert Conversations are held in the Rendell Room located on the First Tier of the Kimmel Center or in Verizon Hall on Friday afternoons.
For a schedule of lecturers, click here.
Concert Attire
Attending a Philadelphia Orchestra concert is always a special occasion; therefore, most patrons enjoy dressing up slightly--in suits or ties, or "nice" dresses or pantsuits. Many people come to the concerts from work, and are dressed in professional business attire. Formal dress--evening gowns and tuxedos--are generally worn only to Philadelphia Orchestra gala events, such as Opening Night or Academy Ball concerts.
Length of Performance
Program length varies, but a typical Philadelphia Orchestra performance lasts about two hours, including one intermission. Most other events run about the same length, some a little shorter, some a little longer. You can always call us at 215.893.1999 for an estimated length.
Clapping
Many works in classical music, such as a Beethoven symphony or Mozart piano concerto, have three or more movements or sections. A short pause usually falls between each of them. It has become customary over time not to clap during these short pauses. To find out the number of movements (and corresponding number of pauses) in a piece, turn to the program page in your program book. You will find that each work is subdivided by movement (usually indicated by tempo markings in Italian). After the last movement, clap to your heart's content.
Cell Phone Etiquette
Patrons carrying cell phones, wearing alarm watches, and/or carrying electronic paging systems are requested to turn them off before entering the concert hall. Please contact the house manager before entering the auditorium if emergency notification might be required.
Picture Etiquette
Cameras as well as other recording devices in Verizon Hall can create major distractions for the musicians and audience members around you. As a result, no still, video cameras, or tape recorders are permitted. All equipment should be checked with the house manager prior to entering the auditorium.
Children at The Philadelphia Orchestra
Children eight years old and over are welcome at Philadelphia Orchestra concerts. Philadelphia Orchestra Family Concerts are programmed specially for children ages five through 12. Every child, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter Verizon Hall.
During the Performance
Once a concert is underway, we request that you don't talk, whisper, sing, hum, or move personal belongings. This will ensure that you, other patrons, and the performers enjoy the full benefits of the performance. Patrons should also refrain from entering and exiting the hall while a performance is in progress. Ushers are stationed at entrances and exits. If you must leave your seat, please proceed quickly and quietly to the nearest door or ask the nearest usher for assistance. Please note that if you leave during the performance, you will not be allowed back into the hall until an appropriate break in the program.
During Intermission
During intermission patrons may visit the Applause Gift Shop in Commonwealth Plaza, use the Center's facilities, or enjoy beverages in the lounge areas of the Kimmel Center. No food or beverage is allowed inside the hall during Philadelphia Orchestra concerts.
Inclement Weather and Snow Policy
We very rarely cancel a concert due to snow/bad weather. If a concert is canceled, we will update the phone message for patrons as well as send an email and notify all ticket holders by phone. We also will notify television and radio stations of any cancellation.
Patrons unable or unwilling to attend a concert as a result of inclement weather can exchange their tickets for another concerts date. Philadelphia Orchestra subscribers and eZseat members can exchange all tickets throughout the season at no additional cost. Patrons who are not subscribers and purchase individual tickets can exchange tickets for a $10.00 per-ticket fee.
Tickets can be exchanged at the Kimmel Center Box Office, by phone at 215.893.1999, or online under My Account. All exchanged tickets are subject to availability and to additional costs associated with an upgraded seat section or change in day of week. Tickets may not be exchanged once a concert has passed. Please destroy outdated tickets. Twenty-four hour notice is appreciated.
