Halloween in Portland has come a long way since its roots in the Samhain festival brought by Irish and Scottish immigrants. Nowadays, its October events are renowned nationally, going in line with the city’s “Keep Portland Weird” motto. This year, you can already start to get your broomsticks and fangs ready because the tickets to the magical Candlelight Halloween series are already on sale!
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Some songs transcend their original contexts to become universal expressions of Halloween spirit, instantly recognizable across cultures and generations. For instance, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” defined Halloween for millions through its perfect blend of fear and celebration, Charles Gounod’s “Funeral March of a Marionette” marches listeners toward inevitable doom with clockwork precision, and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” conjures witches’ sabbaths with orchestral chaos that has inspired countless horror interpretations.
To embody all these different compositions, Candlelight counts on string quartets, as they can shift from delicate whispers to powerful crescendos. The interplay between two violins, viola, and cello creates rich harmonic conversations that mirror the complex emotions embedded in these Halloween classics. What’s more, this musical experience is enhanced by the series’ sea of twinkling candles that transforms venues into spooky spaces.
Candlelight: Horror Classics featuring The Conjuring Universe & more
This Halloween, Warner Bros. is holding a candle to some of the most iconic moments in horror movie history with classical renditions of their most terrifying soundtracks. From the unsettling tubular bells used in The Exorcist to the sinister notes of A Nightmare on Elm Street, music lovers and horror buffs will relive the nightmares that have kept generations awake.
Candlelight at The Old Church Concert Hall
Prepare to be equally dazzled and spooked by an enchanting Candlelight Halloween concert at The Old Church Concert Hall. Thanks to its high Gothic arches and beautiful stained glass windows, the venue’s intimate sanctuary creates a mystical atmosphere perfect for the 60-minute concert. What’s more, doors open 30-45 minutes early to allow full immersion in this enchanting candlelit ambiance.
As the string quartet performs “Tubular Bells from The Exorcist, the chilling “Halloween (Theme)”, and the playful “Addams Family (Theme)”, the interplay of haunting melodies and flickering candlelight conjures an elegant sense of mystery. Keep in mind that demand is high so plan ahead to secure your spot.