Sinfonia Smith Square Christmas Festival
The Sinfonia Smith Square Christmas Festival returns for its 41st year.
4 December 2026, 19:00
Handel’s Messiah
One of the most beloved choral works ever written, Messiah has captivated audiences for nearly three centuries with its glorious choruses, radiant arias and moving storytelling. From the joyful “For Unto Us a Child Is Born” to the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus”, Handel’s music combines breathtaking beauty with extraordinary emotional power.
5 December 2026, 19:30
Libera in Concert
Join the boys of Libera with orchestra for an inspirational performance, with sublime harmonies and ethereal sounds, seasonal arrangements and track from their forthcoming album release.
6 December 2026, 15:00, 18:00
Schubert Winterreise: An Immersive Journey
After his beloved falls for another, a heartbroken wayfarer wanders through a bleak winter landscape, depicted in some of Schubert’s most chillingly beautiful music.
7 December 2026, 19:00
Ellington’s Nutcracker
NYJO Blueprint Orchestra presents a Christmas Big Band celebration featuring a brilliant 17 piece ensemble and vocalist. Expect a festive set, filled with Big Band Christmas classics and more!
8 December 2026, 19:00
Mr Handel’s Christmas Story
Mr Handel’s Christmas Story is a ‘new’ oratorio to celebrate Christmas and introduce young people to some of Handel’s greatest music.
11 December 2026, 19:00, 12 December 2026, 14:30
Joy! A Seasonal Gospel Celebration of Sound
Reflecting the vibrant and diverse spirit of London, London International Gospel Choir welcomes members from all backgrounds, nationalities, ages, and experiences. Whether members are beginners or professionals, LIGC offers members continuous opportunities to refine their vocal, theoretical, and performance skills, ensuring powerful performances every time, with soaring solos, harmonious blends, and captivating soundscapes.
13 December 2026, 18:00
Christmas Brass Spectacular
Your favourite holiday tunes get a bold, brassy twist in this feel-good Christmas spectacular from London Mozart Players. Featuring top-tier performances from some of the UK’s finest brass musicians and choirs, this dazzling show is guaranteed to kick off your festive season in style.
14 December 2026, 19:30
A Ceremony of Carols
Join Oxford’s premier mixed-voice choir for a festive programme of Christmas music by Purcell and Britten. The Choir of Merton College collaborates with Florilegium and brilliant young harpist Cecily Beer, celebrating two great British composers, both born on St Cecilia’s Day, in the 50th anniversary year of Britten’s death.
15 December 2026, 19:00
O Magnum Mysterium
This programme moves across the ages, from the intricate architecture of Renaissance polyphony by Palestrina, Lassus and Byrd, to the distinctive voices of the present day, including Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Blake Morgan. At its centre is the season of Advent: a time of waiting and anticipation. Ancient hymns and carols sit alongside modern reflections on the Christmas story, with familiar melodies appearing both in their traditional form and through the lens of contemporary arrangers. From candlelit devotion to moments of joy, The Gesualdo Six trace a musical path through the festive season.
16 December 2026, 19:30
On Christmas Night
Chilcott’s beautiful On Christmas Night, opens what promises to be an uplifting festive programme. The second half features a selection of well-known Christmas tunes in familiar and new arrangements. Works for choir and orchestra are interspersed by audience carols and seasonal readings.
17 December 2026, 13:05
Roger Sayer Organ Recital
In La Nativité du Seigneur (The Birth of the Lord), Olivier Messiaen transforms the organ into an orchestra of shimmering colour and radiant sound. Across nine meditations on the Nativity, moments of tender stillness give way to bursts of ecstatic joy, creating a musical landscape that is contemplative, dramatic, and transcendent.
17 December 2026, 19:00
A Tchaikovsky Christmas by Candlelight
As winter landscapes and timeless dances unfold, experience some of his most beloved melodies in an intimate candlelit setting. Let the festive celebrations begin with an evening of music, candlelight, and the magic of Christmas.
18 December 2026, 19:30
Hail Mary!
The title of our programme this evening points to its seasonal nature. Every item was written in praise of the Virgin Mary, most famously the Ave Maria and Salve regina. Less often set is Gaude gloriosa (Rejoice, O Glorious Mother of God), which we are thrilled to present as the third panel in a triptych of Marian antiphons commissioned from Matthew Martin. We begin and end with festal settings of the Magnificat, Mary’s universal message of hope, the first in Latin, the second in German.
19-20 December 2026, 11:00, 13:30
The Snowman Live in Concert
With Sinfonia Smith Square performing the live orchestral soundtrack as the film is shown on the big screen, this much-loved festive family classic is brought vividly to life. A wonderful seasonal outing, it’s a perfect festive treat for audiences of all ages.
19-20 December 2026, 13:00, 15:00
Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers Live in Concert
Come and experience Wallace and Gromit on the big screen with live orchestral accompaniment!
19 December 2026, 20:00
Hey for Christmas!
Vocal ensemble Siglo de Oro combine with instrumentalists from the Spinacino Consort in a programme that brings to life the traditional twelve days of Christmas through a lively combination of 17th century ballads, broadsides, dances and carols.
21 December 2026, 19:30
Angelus ad Virginem
The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and conductor Graham Ross return to Sinfonia Smith Square for the final concert in their year-long celebration of Clare College’s 700th anniversary. Traditional carols and Christmas motets and anthems, including those from the time of the College’s founding such as Angelus ad virginem and In dulci jubilo sit alongside more recent additions to the canon, including works written especially for the Choir by the late Sir John Tavener, former Director of Music Sir John Rutter, and Cecilia McDowall. The programme also includes Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s The Nativity, commissioned for the College’s 700th anniversary.
22 December 2026, 19:30
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
Expect vocal, choral, and instrumental virtuosity as Polyphony and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment join forces under the direction of Stephen Layton for Bach’s great retelling of the nativity story.
23 December 2026, 19:00
Handel’s Messiah
A true highlight of the Sinfonia Smith Square Christmas Festival, this special performance of Handel’s Messiah brings together conductor Stephen Layton, the acclaimed choir Polyphony, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
