Nintendo has revealed a new international concert series to celebrate The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary in 2026.
The announcement came as part of The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct and arrives as the franchise marks four decades since its 1986 debut on Japan’s Famicom Disk System.
The series is a high-profile recognition of a franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, with iconic music composed by Koji Kondo.
What Nintendo announced
Nintendo said it will stage an orchestral concert series across multiple regions next year.
The company published a preliminary regional schedule that places a Japan run in January, North American shows beginning in February (including a Chicago date), European concerts in April and an Australian leg in May.
Alongside the schedule, Nintendo released a special orchestrated video tied to the 40th anniversary concert series to showcase the arrangements and production values planned for the shows.
Rewritten quote (journalistic paraphrase)
In its announcement, Nintendo noted that "additional information about the concerts will be provided at a later date," indicating ticketing, venues and full program details will follow in the coming months.
Why the concerts matter
Music has been central to The Legend of Zelda since the series launched on the Famicom Disk System in February 1986.
Over the years, Nintendo has brought Zelda orchestras and symphonic performances to fans worldwide, and the new series positions the 40th anniversary as a major cultural celebration for the franchise.
The timing also follows major recent entries on Nintendo Switch, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023), both of which expanded the series' audience and soundtrack popularity.
What to watch for next
Nintendo has indicated more details will be shared publicly, including full concert programs, ticket release dates and participating orchestras.
Fans should watch Nintendo Direct updates and official Nintendo channels, and check the eShop and Nintendo’s event pages for links and ticketing when they become available.
For readers tracking the anniversary coverage, Nintendo has compiled the broader slate of Zelda 40th Anniversary announcements in its dedicated Direct and accompanying online materials.
The announcement came as part of The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct and arrives as the franchise marks four decades since its 1986 debut on Japan’s Famicom Disk System.
The series is a high-profile recognition of a franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, with iconic music composed by Koji Kondo.
What Nintendo announced
Nintendo said it will stage an orchestral concert series across multiple regions next year.
The company published a preliminary regional schedule that places a Japan run in January, North American shows beginning in February (including a Chicago date), European concerts in April and an Australian leg in May.
Alongside the schedule, Nintendo released a special orchestrated video tied to the 40th anniversary concert series to showcase the arrangements and production values planned for the shows.
Rewritten quote (journalistic paraphrase)
In its announcement, Nintendo noted that "additional information about the concerts will be provided at a later date," indicating ticketing, venues and full program details will follow in the coming months.
Why the concerts matter
Music has been central to The Legend of Zelda since the series launched on the Famicom Disk System in February 1986.
Over the years, Nintendo has brought Zelda orchestras and symphonic performances to fans worldwide, and the new series positions the 40th anniversary as a major cultural celebration for the franchise.
The timing also follows major recent entries on Nintendo Switch, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023), both of which expanded the series' audience and soundtrack popularity.
What to watch for next
Nintendo has indicated more details will be shared publicly, including full concert programs, ticket release dates and participating orchestras.
Fans should watch Nintendo Direct updates and official Nintendo channels, and check the eShop and Nintendo’s event pages for links and ticketing when they become available.
For readers tracking the anniversary coverage, Nintendo has compiled the broader slate of Zelda 40th Anniversary announcements in its dedicated Direct and accompanying online materials.
