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[title]Rick Astley is Never Gonna Give You Up. That’s why the ‘80s pop legend is taking to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall this Christmas as part of a seriously star-studded festive season. And he’s not the only one. Other headline acts at the iconic venue in South Kensington include the likes of eight-time Brit Award-winning group Take That, jazz pianist Jamie Cullum, superstar DJ and New Year’s Eve maestro Trevor Nelson, and organist-of-the-moment Anna Lapwood.
There will also be festive shows: Carols at the Royal Albert Hall, Heart Christmas Live, A Christmas Story in Concert and London Community Gospel Choir all promise to get you into the spirit of things. Really, it couldn’t get more festive unless a Christmas jumper-wearing Kevin McCallister made a guest appearance on a one-horse open sleigh with Santa Claus himself in tow. Now that we’d pay to see!
With over 16 different events and 40 performances in the famous auditorium throughout the month of December, we, for one, will be there with (jingle) bells on. And we doubt we’ll be the only ones. Over 150,000 tickets were sold for last year’s programme, so we expect tickets to its magical mix of classical, gospel, choral, jazz and R’n’B spectaculars to sell out quicker than Christmas picky-bits at M&S. In short: you’ll need to move at the speed of Father Christmas tearing across the skies on Christmas Eve to bag your tickets.
Here are the five things we’re counting down the days for.
1. Home Alone in Concert (December 5-6)
“Kevin!” There are so many memorable soundbites in Home Alone, not just the realisation from the late Catherine O’Hara that she’s left her precious son by himself as she jets off to Paris with the rest of the clan, but also the magical score by John Williams. As part of the Royal Albert Hall’s Films in Concert series, said score will be performed live by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus. Bring your tissues for Somewhere in My Memory.
2. Rick Astley’s Swinging Christmas (December 9)
Rick Astley in a crisp white suit and a big band concert? We don’t need asking twice! From festive faves to classic songs and plenty of surprises along the way, you’ll be transported to the golden age of swing and shimmying in the aisles – we challenge you not to swoon.
3. Heart Christmas Live with NatWest (December 14)
Does it get more Christmassy than Amanda Holden in a sparkly dress? Yes, if you add Take That, Leona Lewis, James Arthur and Olly Murs, plus a co-host in the form of Jamie Theakston. Talk about festive!
4 Jamie Cullum: The Pianoman at Christmas (December 10-11)
Joined by the brilliant Kansas Smitty’s – the UK band fast becoming known for their prohibition-era American sound – Jazz pianist Jamie Cullum will take to the ivories to perform his namesake album. From the intimate charm of Christmas Don’t Let Me Down to the swing of Hang Your Lights, it’s giving big-band energy.
5 Carols at the Royal Albert Hall (December 19-24)
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without turkey and all the trimmings, plus Carols at the Royal Albert Hall. Six days, 15 performances and more carols than we can count with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, National Youth Choir, Royal Choral Society, British Imperial Military Band, presenters and soloists. Now it’s Christmas!
Plan your Christmas season at the Royal Albert Hall.