Turning tips into memories

Best Music in London this Christmas

By Claudia Pritchard on 20/11/2018

Carols, traditional songs, uplifting instrumentals and rousing choruses to herald the festive season

Ex Cathedra sing sacred music by candlelight on 13 Dec. Photo: Roger Cable

Christmas Festival, St John's Smith Square

St John's Smith Square, the deconsecrated church off Millbank, is one of the loveliest venues in London for classical music, beautiful to look at and with a warm acoustic. So its annual two-week Christmas festival, with some concerts by candlelight, is a particularly attractive event.

WHEN

08 Dec 2018 – 23 Dec 2018, 15 performances, times vary

WHERE

St John's Smith Square
30 Smith Square, London , SW1P 3HF

Temple Church is famed for its beauty and musical tradition. Photo: Miranda Parry

Temple Winter Festival

In the heart of the Inns of Court, 12th-century Temple Church is a historic building that also lives very much in the moment with its constantly unfolding programme of inspiring music. At Temple Winter Festival sacred and traditional texts spring to life in a week of song.

WHEN

10 Dec 2018 – 14 Dec 2018, six performances, times vary

WHERE

Temple Church
Temple, EC4Y 7BB

'And lo, the angel of the Lord...': Messiah is sung all over London. Photo: Chris Christodoulou

Handel's Messiah

The 10 best performances of Handel's great oratorio Messiah, written in London, and loved here to this day. Choose from several world-class choirs in beautiful venues.

WHEN

29 Nov to 23 Dec 2018, times vary

WHERE

Across London

Winter Wonderland in Covent Garden

Music sacred and secular from contemporary composers James MacMillan and John Rutter dovetail with music from the North American tradition. Beloved songs include the spiritual Go, Tell it on the Mountain and favourites such as I Saw Three Ships and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, from the Elysian Singers in the Actors' Church.

WHEN

Wed 19 Dec, 7:30PM

WHERE

St Paul's, Covent Garden WC2E 9ED

Image by Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral

Christmas Carol Concerts

Fine churches, brilliantly trained voices, and the most loved music in the church songbook guarantee that you will find a choral feast near you, with chances to join in.

WHEN

30 Nov to 24 Dec 2018, times vary

WHERE

Across London

Music and physics are in alignment at Kings Place

Bach, the Universe and Everything, Kings Place

Enthusiast for physics and astronomy Maggie Aderin-Pocock investigates the mystical world of music, and its greatest exponent, JS Bach, in a seasonal edition of the monthly science and music series in Kings Cross.

WHEN

On 16 Dec 2018, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

WHERE

Kings Place
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG