Christmas at Kings Place offers a sparkling seasonal programme featuring classical favourites, festive family shows, comedy Christmas specials and midwinter folk songs from around the world
Line-up includes Anna Lapwood and the Pembroke College Chapel Choir, Aurora Orchestra, Echo Vocal Ensemble, the Hanover Band, Melrose Quartet, Olivia Chaney, Robin Ince, Nick Helm and more
Christmas at Kings Place features a range of seasonal delights this December, from classical favourites to contemporary choral works, festive family shows, comedy specials and midwinter folk songs from around the world.
Celebrated organist and conductor Anna Lapwood leads the Pembroke College Chapel Choir in a concert of contemporary choral repertoire including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with harpist Esther Beyer, alongside works by James MacMillan, Errollyn Wallen, Elizabeth Poston and more [9 Dec].
Aurora Orchestra present Far Far Away – Debussy and the Snow Elephant, wintery concerts for children aged 0-5 – combining chamber arrangements of piano music by Debussy with a specially-commissioned story by writer Kate Wakeling, this immersive musical adventure is presented by dancer Mia Theil Have [26 & 27 Nov, 3 & 4 Dec]. Storystock present two magical shows for families – Storyteller, Storyteller: Once Upon a Christmas Story and The Museum of Marvellous Things at Christmas – featuring puppets, festive songs, Christmas crafts and live music [11 Dec].
Folk ensemble Melrose Quartet bring their trademark close harmony for an evening of festive songs accompanied by fiddles, melodeon, guitar and bouzouki [10 Dec] and The Furrow Collective perform a special festive programme celebrating winter nights, featuring eerie story-songs and seasonal carols [8 Dec]. Singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Olivia Chaney follows up her previous sold-out Kings Place performances with a special Christmas celebration, combining new songs alongside festive tributes to some of her favourite female singer/songwriters, such as Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, Kate Bush and Kate McGarrigle, joined by special musical guests [18 Dec].
Robin Ince returns with his ever-popular annual variety night Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People, with two evening shows and a family matinee [16 & 17 Dec]. Robin’s guests include physicist Dr Helen Czerski, singer songwriter Grace Petrie, geologist Prof Chris Jackson, comedian Josie Long, biophysicist Dr Yolanda Ohene, entomologist Dr Erica McAllister, singer songwriter Gecko, science writer Philip Ball, neuroscientist Anil Seth, and many more still to be announced. The Film Quiz with Nick Helm podcast comes to Kings Place for a special live festive episode, hosted by Nick Helm and assisted by Huge Davis with special guests to be announced soon [14 Dec]. Broadcaster and columnist Steve Richards returns to Kings Place to round up a crazy year in British politics in a Christmas special of his Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics Show [5 Dec; also available to stream on KPlayer].
Echo Vocal Ensemble return to Kings Place to perform a selection of midwinter songs from five continents blending folklore, religion, magic and tradition [15 Dec] and one of the finest period instrument orchestras in the UK, The Hanover Band, bring a fresh perspective to Handel’s much-loved Messiah [19 Dec].