Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Sensory Friendly Concerts

The NLM Family Foundation provided a grant to the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to provide two sensory-friendly concerts in 2024-2025 designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory sensitivities and their families. The BSO’s 2024-2025 sensory-friendly concert series includes a Holiday Pops Sensory Friendly Concert on December 7, 2024 and a Sensory Friendly Concert on March 22, 2025.

These performances are shortened, modified versions of the BSO’s standard concerts, with reduced ticket prices and a flexible, non-judgmental environment. Modifications include relaxed house rules, reduced volume and lighting levels, extra space for movement, available noise-reduction headphones, designated quiet room and support spaces, modified food concessions, and credentialed autism therapist volunteers on site.

These sensory-friendly concerts are a powerful way for families to experience and discover live musical performances together. Individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities and their family members benefit emotionally and socially from shared high-quality concert experiences.