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Classical music for Christmas: concerts to book ahead

By CW Contributor on 8/11/2016

The festive season is upon us, and we know pantomimes aren't for everyone. So from opera and carols to midnight mass, here's how to celebrate in song this winter

The choir of King's College London open the 31st Christmas Festival at St John's Smith Square on 9 December

31st Christmas Festival, St John's Smith Square

It wouldn’t be Christmas without carols, and Christmas music in London means two weeks of ethereal song at St John's Smith Square.

Availability: Varies according to performance, check each individual show for details.

WHEN

09 Dec 2016 – 23 Dec 2016, times vary: lunchtime and evening events

WHERE

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

Solomon's Knot closes Spitalfields Winter Festival with Bach, on 11 December. Photograph: James Berry

Spitalfields Winter Festival, Spitalfields

The music of JS Bach, a clutch of London premieres, and a glimpse of Christmas feature in this year's Spitalfields Winter Festival, a bumper edition for its 40th anniversary.

Availability: Availability varies according to performance. Gothic Voices is sold out, last few tickets for Shakespeare in Love.

WHEN

04 Dec 2016 – 11 Dec 2016, times vary

WHERE

Various Locations

Renée Fleming sings the role of the sultry Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier

Der Rosenkavalier, Royal Opera House

The sumptuous orchestration of Richard Strauss is one of the wonders of the evergreen opera Der Rosenkavalier which gets a brand new production at Covent Garden.

Availability: Pre-Christmas tickets are selling out fast, late January tickets still available.

WHEN

17 Dec 2016 – 24 Jan 2017, Times vary for 8 performances

WHERE

Royal Opera House
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

Handel's Messiah, London 2016, Royal Albert Hall

Handel's Messiah, Royal Albert Hall

Four superb soloists join together with Goldsmiths Choral Union, the English Concert Chorus and the Highgate Choral Society for this performance of the yuletide perennial

Availability: Last few boxes remaining on the 15th, other seats widely available.

WHEN

On 15 Dec 2016, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
On 19 Dec 2016, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP

Christmas Classics, Royal Festival Hall

A truly festive selection of carols and classics from the Philharmonia Orchestra and The Bach Choir with Hansel and Gretel, O Holy Night and Joy to the World

Availability: Tickets still widely available.

WHEN

On 11 Dec 2016, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

WHERE

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

Handel's Messiah, The Barbican

Seeing Handel's Messiah at Christmastime is more than a British tradition, it's a necessity. This year, Les Arts Florissants and an impressive international cast of singers and musicians take on the classical favourite at the Barbican.

Availability: Limited availabiity in the stalls, tickets selling fast.

WHEN

On 19 Dec 2016, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Classical music for Christmas: concerts to book ahead

The festive season is upon us, and we know pantomimes aren't for everyone. So from opera and carols to midnight mass, here's how to celebrate in song this winter

31st Christmas Festival, St John's Smith Square

Spitalfields Winter Festival, Spitalfields

Der Rosenkavalier, Royal Opera House

Handel's Messiah, Royal Albert Hall

Christmas Classics, Royal Festival Hall

Handel's Messiah, The Barbican

Opera

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Royal Opera House

National Portrait Gallery

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Southbank Centre

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Music for Youth Proms, Royal Albert Hall winter 2016

St Paul's Cathedral Christmas Carol Service 2017

Westminster Abbey Carols 2017: A Service of Lessons and Carols

Lobos Meat & Tapas, Soho ★★★★★