Tim Burton Orchestral Tribute at Sunderland Empire

An Orchestral Tribute to Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy by Moonlight at Sunderland Empire arrives on Monday 14 September 2026, bringing a full chamber orchestra into the theatre for a one-night programme built around the darker, stranger side of film music. The performance starts at 7.30pm and runs for around one hour and 40 minutes including the interval.

The show is performed by the Illuminated Orchestra, with 18 classically trained musicians joined by live vocals. Rather than centring on one film or one composer, the programme moves through music associated with gothic fantasy, cult cinema and some of Tim Burton’s best-known screen worlds. That gives the night a wider sweep than a straight soundtrack concert and should make the set feel more like a journey through several different films than a single-theme tribute.

An Orchestral Tribute to Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy by Moonlight at Sunderland Empire

The programme includes music linked to The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Batman, Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow, Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It also reaches beyond Burton’s films with pieces associated with Labyrinth, Wednesday and The Addams Family.

That mix is the strongest reason to see the show. Film-music concerts can sometimes lean heavily on the most obvious themes, but this one has enough variety to move from playful and theatrical pieces into darker, more atmospheric material. The giant moon used as part of the staging adds another visual layer without taking the focus away from the orchestra itself.

Sunderland Empire gives the concert the scale it needs, and the theatre setting should suit music that depends as much on dynamics and atmosphere as recognisable melodies. The performance carries age guidance of 8+, and the show information also notes that strobe lighting is used.

Planning your visit

The concert begins at 7.30pm on Monday 14 September. Tickets and the latest performance information are available through ATG Tickets. If you are travelling specifically for the show, it is worth checking the page again before setting off in case anything changes.

You can also browse more upcoming dates on SoundBite North East’s Sunderland Empire venue page and the wider Upcoming Gigs guide.

Check Sunderland Empire and the event’s own channels before travelling for any late changes to timings, access information or ticket availability.