Free concerts for Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival 2025
If you’re looking for something to do in the upcoming weekends that doesn’t require whipping out your wallet, there’s a series of free orchestral concerts happening in KL to catch. The Kuala Lumpur City Hall, or Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) – yes, the council that administers the city – is curating concerts around KL as part of the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival from 31st May to 29th June 2025.
Here’s everything to know about it, including venues and how to snag yourself a seat.
What is Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival?
The Orkestra Kuala Lumpur has been a part of DBKL for over 30 years. They’re a pop orchestra that comprises 70 local musicians – for the uninitiated, the orchestra mainly plays renditions of popular and film music alongside well-known classical works. Think of the music of Bridgerton, with string arrangements of music from a broad spectrum of styles, from rock to jazz to pop.
Image credit: Orkestra Kuala Lumpur via Facebook
The homegrown orchestra regularly plays free concerts each month at the Auditorium Dewan Bandaraya, welcoming fans of classical music and those who don’t know that they like orchestras yet.
This month, Orkestra Kuala Lumpur will be part of the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival (FOKL) by DBKL, which is having a month-long programme to bring concerts to the city that fuse Western classical music with traditional local instruments. The festival is in its second edition, and will have orchestras from China, the Philippines, and Indonesia performing as well.
Image credit: Orkestra Kuala Lumpur via Facebook
Concert dates for FOKL
FOKL will be having concerts, masterclasses, and forums around KL from 31st May to 29th June. A highlight masterclass that aspiring musicians and music aficionados will want to catch is one with the renowned Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, happening on 31st May, from 4pm to 6pm, at the Institute Latihan Dewan Bandaraya.
At the session, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at orchestral training and professional musicianship, with members from the orchestra guiding and mentoring musicians.
Image credit: Orkestra Kuala Lumpur via Facebook
As for concerts, you can catch the following shows that take place at the Auditorium Bandaraya in Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. There are no ticket fees, but you’ll need to register for a spot. Here are the orchestras performing and where to register:
- The Philippines’ University of Santo Tomas (UST) Symphony Orchestra on 12th June at 8.30pm. Register here.
- The China Philharmonic Youth Orchestra on 13th June at 8.30pm. Register here.
- Indonesia’s Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra on 14th June at 8.30pm. Register here.
- Orkestra Kuala Lumpur on 15th June at 5pm. Register here.
- Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra featuring Fiamma Opera Studio on 25th June at 8pm. Register here.
Each performance lasts between 90-120 minutes, with free seating.
In addition to orchestral performances, music workshops hosted by Maestro Somtow Sucharitkul from Thailand’s Siam Sinfonietta will also take place on 22nd June at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
To support the local orchestra scene further, you can catch a free-admission special showcase by primary and secondary schools in KL on 24th June at 10am, and the Music for Sight 2025 benefit concert by Clap & Tap String Orchestra on 31st May at 8pm, with admission fees from RM50 supporting the blind community.
There’s also the Sadhana 2025 by students of the Swara Community Arts Center, on 1st June at 5pm, which will spotlight Indian Classical music. This concert is priced RM30 per pax, and will take place at the DBKL Auditorium. Purchase tickets here.
On 29th June, at 8pm, a FOKL SPYO & SPWO Showcase will be held at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS. Expect to hear classics like Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Finale performed, alongside music scores like Harry Potter and Indiana Jones. Purchase tickets at RM50 here.
‘Colours of Passion by Euroasia Society featuring Siam Sinfonietta with Thai National Artist Maestro Somtow Sucharitkul will happen 21st June at 8pm. Purchase tickets at RM180 here. There’s also ‘BOMB’ by Frhythms Percussion happening 28th and 29th June at 3pm and 8pm. Purchase tickets here.
Support the regional orchestra scene at the FOKL
Steeped in tradition, the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival plays a pivotal role in Malaysia’s cultural orchestra scene. With collaborations with global and local maestros, the festival is a chance for locals to enjoy music and support the regional orchestra scene.
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Cover image adapted from: Orkestra Kuala Lumpur via Facebook
This article was updated on 30th May 2025 to reflect the correct pricing information for ‘BOMB’ by Frhythms Percussion.