Step Inside the Music: Explore Seattle Opera and Classical KING at the Opera Center Open House
September 2, 2026
Join us for a free afternoon of music, discovery, and behind-the-scenes access as Seattle Opera and Classical KING open their doors to the community on September 26.
Classical music comes to life in many ways. Sometimes it’s on stage under the spotlight. Sometimes it’s through the speakers of your car radio on the way to work. On Saturday, September 26, audiences can experience both worlds in one place during the annual Opera Center Open House, a free community celebration presented by Seattle Opera and Classical KING.
From 1–4pm, visitors are invited to come and go as their schedules allow at the Opera Center, 363 Mercer Street in Seattle. Guests can explore Seattle Opera’s creative spaces, discover how opera productions come together behind the scenes, and get an inside look at how Classical KING brings music, stories, and local arts coverage to listeners across the region.
Whether you’re a longtime opera lover, a dedicated Classical KING listener, or simply curious about the arts, the Open House offers a unique opportunity to connect with the people, creativity, and craftsmanship that help make Seattle’s cultural community thrive.
RSVP for Classical KING Open House Tours here
Go Behind the Mic with Classical KING
Have you ever wondered what happens inside a radio station?
During the Open House, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Classical KING broadcast studios and learn more about the people and technology that bring classical music to audiences every day. Guests can step behind the scenes, meet hosts and staff, hear broadcast and technical explanations, contribute to a Classical Music Memory Wall, and watch a short visual presentation about programming, broadcast spaces, and community partnerships.
Throughout the afternoon, Classical KING will be broadcasting live and highlighting many of the artists, performers, and community organizations participating in the event.
“Great music can meet people in many ways: onstage, on-air, online, and in our community,” said Michelle Maestas Simonsen, Chief Content and Engagement Officer. “This annual Open House with the Seattle Opera is a special chance to invite the community in and share what happens behind the scenes, and inside the studios.”
A Look Inside Seattle Opera
For many audience members, the magic of opera begins when the curtain rises. The Opera Center Open House offers a rare look at the creativity and collaboration that happen long before opening night.
Visitors can tour Seattle Opera’s Costume Shop and Props Department,, where they will be able to see costumes and propelements from past and upcoming performances up close.
This year’s Open House also previews Seattle Opera’s 2026/27 season, with a Season Preview Concert, a conversation with General and Artistic Director James Robinson and Dramaturg Jonathan Dean, and a live feed from a working rehearsal of Salome before it opens in October.
In advance of Seattle Opera’s January production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, the Open House will also celebrate Mexican arts and culture in the Pacific Northwest through mariachi musicians from the Highline School District, a community mural project, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, and local arts and culture organizations tabling in the lobby.
The day will also feature performances by winners of the Seattle Opera Guild’s Singer Development Award and members of the Youth Opera Project, giving visitors a chance to hear emerging artists at different stages of their musical journeys.
Visitors can also take part in arts and crafts stations, family-friendly activities, costume try-ons, choreography inspired by Salome, and an opera sing-along led by Seattle Opera Chorus Master Michaella Calzaretta. Together, these experiences show opera as a living, collaborative art form.
Seattle Opera Quote
One of the things I love most about this event is that it invites people behind the scenes of two organizations that bring music to life in different ways. Seattle Opera and Classical KING share a commitment to connecting our community with meaningful artistic experiences, and the Open House gives people a chance to explore,, meet the people behind the work, and discover new ways to engage with the arts. We’re excited to welcome audiences into our shared home and celebrate the creativity and collaboration that make Seattle’s cultural community so vibrant.”
— Sara Litchfield, Co-Director of Programs and Partnerships, Youth Education, Seattle Opera
Music, Learning, and Community
The Open House reflects something both Seattle Opera and Classical KING believe deeply: the arts are for everyone. Together, the organizations share a commitment to making music, storytelling, and creative discovery accessible, community-based, and connected to the broader Pacific Northwest arts ecosystem.
Visitors will find opportunities to listen, learn, create, and participate throughout the afternoon, including:
- Live musical performances from artists across the region
- A season preview concert featuring highlights from Seattle Opera’s upcoming season
- Youth performances and emerging artist showcases
- Family-friendly arts activities
- Community mural projects
- Interactive music-making opportunities
- Opera-inspired dance instruction
- A sing-along led by Seattle Opera’s music staff
- Opportunities to meet local arts and cultural organizations
Whether you’re interested in performance, production, broadcasting, or simply discovering something new, there will be plenty to explore.
Event Details
Opera Center Open House
Saturday, September 26 | 1pm-4pm
Seattle Opera Center | 363 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109
Admission is free. RSVPs are encouraged. If you want to RSVP for a Classical KING tour, you may register here.
With Thanks to 4Culture
Classical KING extends sincere thanks to 4Culture for helping make this free community Open House accessible to more neighbors across King County. Free and reduced access supported by 4Culture helps ensure more people can take part in music, learning, and behind-the-scenes discovery.
Join Us
At Classical KING, we believe music becomes more meaningful when audiences can connect with the people and stories behind it. We hope you’ll join us at the Opera Center Open House to explore our studios, meet fellow music lovers, and discover new ways to engage with the arts community that makes the Pacific Northwest such a vibrant place to live.
We look forward to welcoming you through our doors.
