Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Friday • Aug 21, 2026 • 7:30pm
Set 30 years after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: A New Hope returns to the desert planet of Tatooine in the fourth episode of the saga. While searching for a lost droid, a young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) begins to discover his destiny when he is saved by reclusive Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). A civil war rages in the galaxy, and Rebel forces struggle against the evil Galactic Empire, Luke and Obi-Wan enlist the aid of hotshot pilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Joined by the quirky droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO, the unlikely team sets out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and use stolen plans to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon.
In a legendary confrontation, the rogue group mounts an attack against the Death Star for a climactic battle with the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.
© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with Warner/Chappell Music.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, March 25 at 10AM.
SPAC Member presale takes place March 16 through 24, tiered by membership level:
- President’s Circle, Premiere Patron, & Corporate Visionary: Monday, March 16 at 10AM
- Golden Patron, Corporate Innovator, & Corporate Pioneer: Thursday, March 19 at 10AM
- Patron, Corporate Leader, & Corporate Mentor: Monday, March 23 at 10AM
- Bravo & Encore: Monday, March 23 at 10AM
- Applause & Ovation: Tuesday, March 24 at 10AM
Not a member? Join today for presale access!
Please note: All e-tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra will be sent one week prior to the performance date. Please contact the Box Office with any questions at 518-584-9330.
*Please note that web & phone ticket purchases will incur a $7 service fee; no fees are applied for in-person ticket purchases at our Box Office.
Premier Parking Upgrade Available!
Premier parking is available as an optional upgrade! Limited spaces are available. Purchase at checkout for $30 and enjoy easy access to the Route 50 entry gate.
Choose premier parking as an add-on during ticket checkout or purchase separately here
General admission parking is free.
Program
| Williams | Star Wars: A New Hope (complete with film) |
This program is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes long, inclusive of one intermission.
Performers
Damon Gupton* | conductor
*Indicates SPAC debut
Damon Gupton is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. A native of Detroit, he served as American Conducting Fellow of the Houston Symphony and assistant conductor of the Kansas City Symphony. Appearances include the Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, Britt Festival, Brevard Music Center, and Classic FM Live at Royal Albert Hall with Chineke!. Concert collaborations include work with Sting, Marcus Miller, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Common, Leslie Odom Jr., Tony DeSare, The Midtown Men, Kenn Hicks, and Massamba Diop in Marvel Studio’s Black Panther in Concert.
Gupton received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Michigan. He studied conducting with David Zinman and Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music Festival and with Leonard Slatkin at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C.
A graduate of the Juilliard School Drama Division, Gupton is an accomplished actor in television, film, and onstage. He has had series regular roles in The Big Door Prize, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey starring Samuel L. Jackson, Black Lightning, Criminal Minds, The Player, The Divide, Prime Suspect, as well as guest star/recurring appearances on Happy Face, Your Honor, Super Pumped, The Comey Rule, Dirty John, Goliath, Bates Motel, The Newsroom, Suits, Empire, Law & Order, and others. He appears in the upcoming film Lear Rex, starring Al Pacino and Kristoffer Borgli’s The Drama, as well as Damien Chazelle’s Academy Award-winning Whiplash and LaLa Land. Stage roles include the award-winning Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Phylicia Rashad, and the Broadway production of Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Clybourne Park.
Film Nights @ SPAC
Experience your favorite films like never before — on a large high-definition screen as The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the score live in sync with the film!
Ways to Save
Multi-Program Package
Purchase two or more BalletX, New York City Ballet, and/or Philadelphia Orchestra programs and use promo code MORESPAC26 to save 10%!
Family Four Pack
Buy four amphitheater seats for $99!
Offer valid for ticket pricing levels 5-9 in the amphitheater.
Discount will apply automatically at checkout once cart contains (4) tickets comprising of (2 or 3) child tickets and (1 or 2) adult tickets. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
Kids in Free
Kids 12 and under are free on the lawn and 50% off in the amphitheater (with an accompanying adult ticketholder) for performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra (excluding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22), when they are 50% off on the lawn and in the amphitheater). Select “Child 12 and under” as the ticket type at checkout.
$40 under 40
Individuals up to 40 years old can enjoy $40 tickets inside the amphitheater!
Offer valid for pricing levels 4-7, select “$40 under 40” as your ticket type at checkout. Ticket must be picked up at will call with valid ID for proof of age. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
SPAC Member Discount
SPAC Members save 15%-20%* on all Philadelphia Orchestra tickets! Not a member? Join today!
*Discount is tiered by membership level.
Student Lawn Tickets
Students can enjoy $20 lawn tickets! Select “Student” as your ticket type at checkout. The student must pick up tickets at the SPAC Box Office on the day of the event and show proof of student ID or enrollment. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
Student Rush Tickets
Students can receive $25 amphitheater tickets based on seating availability. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid student ID or proof of enrollment is required. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
Student Discount for Film Nights & Premium Events
Students can receive 15% off lawn or amphitheater tickets for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22). Select “Student” as your ticket type at checkout. The student must pick up tickets at the SPAC Box Office on the day of the event and show proof of student ID or enrollment.
Educator Rush Tickets
Educators receive 10% off regular priced tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day-of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid educator ID is required.
Military Rush Tickets
Active military members and veterans receive 10% off regular priced tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day-of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid military ID is required.
Please note, only one discount is valid per ticket.
Group Sales
Experience SPAC together! From groups of friends and family to corporate outings, senior centers, summer camps, and arts schools, we can curate a special experience for your group of 10 or more. We offer discounts, flexible options and can work with your group leader to tailor your needs for a memorable day.
Thank You to Our 2026 Philadelphia Orchestra Sponsors
Patron’s Patio Sponsor,
The Adirondack Trust Company
“Kids in Free” Co-Sponsor, CDPHP
“Kids in Free” Co-Sponsor,
Fenimore Asset Management
Auto Sponsor, McGovern Automotive Group
Water Sponsor, Spirit Water
SPAC Amphitheater
Our main stage has a 25,000 person capacity with sheltered seats for 5,200 people and a sloping lawn for an additional 20,000 people.
SPAC Event Ground Rules
Applicable for SPAC-produced events only, including Saratoga Jazz Festival, New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and other special events.
Permitted Items
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
- Blankets and breathable ground coverings
- Umbrellas
- Please note: Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the amphitheater lawn.
- Lawn Chairs
- Please note: Lawn chairs must not exceed 43” in height when opened. Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26″ in height when opened.
- Tents
- Please note: Tents of any size will NOT be permitted on the Amphitheater lawn or immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage.
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Items Not Permitted
- Metal utensils
- Plastic tarps
- Lawn chairs over 43” in height when opened
- Tents are prohibited from the Amphitheater lawn as well as the area immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage
- Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame that uses a liquid, gas, or gel accelerant
- Laser pointers
- Drones
- Professional audio or video recording equipment
- Cameras with detachable lenses
- Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
- Pets (except ADA approved service animals)
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Weapons of any kind
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Ground Rules
- Security Procedure – To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for SPAC visitors and staff, all bags will be inspected, and all personnel will be searched via metal detectors. Bags include but are not limited to coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers. Any item that is not permitted to come onto the SPAC grounds should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
- Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds in designated areas only. Please ensure that all cigarette butts are disposed of properly.
- Guests are welcome to bring items such as blankets and umbrellas but please consider others around you. If your items are disruptive to others, you may be asked to remove them.
- Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events. Guests must obtain a reentry wristband from staff at the gates prior to exiting the venue.
- SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to race, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and citizenship. Harassment includes but is not limited to stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical attention. If you are made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please immediately report any concerns to SPAC staff or security personnel so appropriate action can be taken.
Amphitheater House Rules for Classical Performances
“House” refers to seating inside the amphitheater. House rules are applicable inside the amphitheater for SPAC-produced events.
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
- As a courtesy to the performers and the audience, guests arriving after the performances begin will not be seated until the earliest appropriate opportunity in the performance at the discretion of the House Staff.
- Please turn off or silence all mobile devices prior to the start of the program. Texting and making calls in the theater is not allowed. Should an emergency arise in which you must use a mobile device, we ask that you step outside of the theater to avoid disturbing other guests.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.
All SPAC ground rules are subject to change. By entering the SPAC grounds, guests agree to abide by the rules listed above. Management reserves the right to modify these rules or can request to see the contents of any belongings brought on property at their discretion. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the utmost levels of safety and convenience for our guests and staff.
Where to Stay
Whether you’re visiting from out of town, or want to stay the night nearby after an event, Saratoga Springs has a place waiting for you. As part of our commitment to the community, SPAC is proud to collaborate with preferred hotel partners to offer the best experience to our guests.
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