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The most magical time of the year is even more enchanting at the Royal Albert Hall. This December, South Kensington’s iconic music hall becomes the ultimate festive selection box — its many delights featuring musical legends performing their Christmas hits live, a celebration of Aretha Franklin, a flurry of Christmas carols (with plenty of chances to join in), not to mention a bewitching staging of Tchaikovsky’s spellbinding The Nutcracker.
Memorable family outings, razzle-dazzle date nights, work parties with a difference: the Royal Albert Hall is where it’s at this Christmas. Click the blue button below to discover your perfect show, or read on to get yourself geared up.
Check Out Christmas
The Royal Albert Hall attracts some of the best-known faces (and voices) around. We’re talking pianist extraordinaire Jamie Cullum performing his festive album The Pianoman at Christmas, in full (6 Dec), DJ Trevor Nelson, back with his much-loved Soul Christmas (13 Dec), and Rick Astley adding some swing to the season on 17 Dec. Then, on 18 Dec, Sandi Claus is Coming to Town — QI’s inimitable Sandi Toksvig, that is — joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra and London Gay Men's Chorus for an evening of festive merriment, with special guests including sensational organist Anna Lapwood.
See Who's Performing
Nothing says Christmas like a carol concert, and nowhere does it better than the Royal Albert Hall. On 3 December, the brassy sounds of the Royal Salvation Army fill the Hall, featuring classic upon classic. From 14-24 Dec, you can grab a candle, don a Santa hat, and get carolling to your heart’s content. For a secular alternative, check out John Rutter’s Christmas Celebration (5 Dec) or Christmas with Katherine Jenkins (11 Dec) .
Go Carolling
Two of THE great Christmas stories come to the Royal Albert Hall this December. One has been enchanting audiences since 1892; the other came along a whole century later. The latter is Home Alone — screened on a HUGE screen and accompanied by Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus. (Prepare to get teary during O Holy Night). Then, from 29-31 December, the Birmingham Royal Ballet are back with their spellbinding rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Sugar Plum Fairy-toting masterpiece.
Be Enchanted
Other highlights of the Royal Albert Hall’s festive season? So many! Don’t miss Jules Buckley’s Christmas: A Celebration of Aretha Franklin (10 Dec), in which you can experience the seasonal side of the soul icon, with songs like Winter Wonderland and Joy to the World. Kids, meanwhile, will love My Christmas Orchestral Adventure (8 Dec), where they must help conductor Tim rekindle his Christmas spirit. Plus, there’s a chance to make use of a VIP pre-show Christmas Lounge, with free-flowing mulled wine. There really is something for everyone! Check out the full programme here:
See The Full Programme
