Now that you have your tickets and the excitement is building, why not consider some of the ways you can avoid surprises and ensure everything goes smoothly? Your route, the best time for photographs, and if belting out lyrics is permitted are some useful things to know before going to a Candlelight concert. But when it comes to the music and the flickering sea of candles, leave it to the experts.
1. How to get there
Whether arriving by light rail, working those legs on the bicycle, or stretching them by walking there, it is always good to plan your journey. And although Sacramento is relatively easy to move around in, why make what’s supposed to be a stress-free evening out stressful? If you’re really thinking ahead, you could take advantage of the doors to Candlelight opening about 30-45 minutes before the start time by getting there earlier to admire the venue and candles.
2. The story behind the venue
As well as providing a stage for Candlelight’s talented musicians to perform on, the venues also have some gems to share with visitors. These could be everything from fascinating stories about the owners to a precious artifact. For example, the California State Railroad Museum isn’t just a concert setting for 60-65 minutes every now and again, it also houses 19 steam locomotives.
So, before going to the candlelit performance, set some time aside to learn more about the venue. And with the Candlelight series’ reputation for choosing one-of-a-kind venues, you won’t regret it.
3. Checking the program
Okay, this might seem like an obvious one, but there’s no harm in double-checking the program. You might find that you misread the length, setlist, or kind of musicians performing on the night. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to Candlelight programs.
Although it would be nice to handpick your favorite songs for the setlist, the music curators are all over it. They try to create a selection of songs that flow nicely and feature some of the more popular tracks. However, it’s also worth noting that the setlists are subject to change.
4. Reading the room
A Candlelight concert is an intimate performance bathed in the glow of relaxing, flickering candles. Therefore, if you’re wondering whether singing your heart out to the notes of ABBA or Queen’s legendary hits is permitted, it really depends on a combination of the genre, musicians, and the rest of the audience. The best advice when it comes to singing lyrics is to try to refrain from doing so unless the moment feels right and everyone’s joining in.
5. Taking pictures
It’s become almost impossible to resist the urge to take a pic or video of a live music performance, or of anything for that matter. At Candlelight, attendees are generally asked to not take any photos or record until the very end of the performance. This might be challenging if you like to keep your followers updated or want to share what you’re seeing with family or friends, but you could also view it as a chance to really live in the moment.
And the excitement continues to build, you’re on your way to Candlelight! What’s more, after you’ve fallen in love with the experience, which rave reviews from over 100 major cities worldwide tell us you will, you can spread the multi-sensory joy with a Candlelight gift card—the perfect gift for every occasion.