Best Christmas concerts to book ahead

By CW Contributor on 25/10/2017

From Herbert Howells to Handel's Messiah: here are London's best Christmas concerts to get you into the yuletide spirit

The boys and men of the Temple Church Choir will sing sacred and seasonal music at Cadogan Hall

Christmas Concert, Temple Church Choir, Cadogan Hall

From early sacred music to Jingle Bells, there is something for all moods in a concert of music to usher in Christmas Eve

WHEN

On 23 Dec 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane Terrace, London , SW1X 9DQ

Hear Messiah as Handel would have heard it, with the Academy of Ancient Music. Photo: Patrick Harrison

Messiah, Academy of Ancient Music, Barbican

Messiah is often sung and played by enormous forces, but smaller ensembles like this bring an electrifying directness and pace to the great oratorio

WHEN

On 20 Dec 2017, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Vladimir Jurowski will bring out the drama of Bach's Christmas Oratorio

Christmas Oratorio, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall,

An uplifting work for Christmas that brings together six seasonal cantatas into a joyous and illuminating whole

WHEN

On 16 Dec 2017, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

John Lubbock conducts the Orchestra of St John's Smith Square in Messiah

Handel's Messiah, St John's Smith Square

Handel made London his home, and not so far from where he lived his music is still played in the manner he would have known

WHEN

On 08 Dec 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:15 PM

WHERE

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

The Feinstein Ensemble perform Bach's sublime Christmas Oratorio. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke

Christmas Music, Kings Place

From story-telling in song in Handel's Messiah to a folk-based celebration of winter, Christmas at Kings Place is a festival in music.

WHEN

14 Dec 2017 – 22 Dec 2017, seven events, times vary

WHERE

Kings Place
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG

Merton College Choir, Oxford, sings at Temple Church on 12 December

Temple Winter Festival, Temple Church, Inns of Court

Music inspired by the Christmas story written over the centuries and performed by ensembles ancient and modern

WHEN

11 Dec 2017 – 15 Dec 2017, seven events, times vary

WHERE

Temple Church
Temple, EC4Y 7BB

The Mozart Festival Orchestra and singers perform Handel's Messiah in 18th-century manner

Handel's Messiah by Candlelight, Royal Festival Hall

Players and singers in 18th-century attire bring to life the London-based world of composer Handel

WHEN

On 15 Dec 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Best Christmas concerts to book ahead

From Herbert Howells to Handel's Messiah: here are London's best Christmas concerts to get you into the yuletide spirit

Christmas Concert, Temple Church Choir, Cadogan Hall

Messiah, Academy of Ancient Music, Barbican

Christmas Oratorio, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall,

Handel's Messiah, St John's Smith Square

Christmas Music, Kings Place

Temple Winter Festival, Temple Church, Inns of Court

Handel's Messiah by Candlelight, Royal Festival Hall

Christmas

Music

Concerts

Orchestra

Book Now

Get ready for three of London's best carol concerts 2017

Things to do in London: October 2017 edition

The top six must-sees at English National Opera 2017/18

Best gigs in London to book now: autumn 2017

The best classical music in London: autumn 2017

Handel's Messiah: the key to Christmas music