A Classical Christmas
This holiday season in Amsterdam get into the festive spirit with classical music from some of Europe's finest musicians. From the hallowed halls of churches and concert theatres, Christmas in Amsterdam is full of surprises.
Classical concerts in Amsterdam
Christmas comes alive in Amsterdam via a fantastic collection of classical and choral concerts.
It won't be a silent night with these classics so deck the halls and come all ye faithful, and even those not-so-faithful because, hark, the harold angels sing.
From more intimate shows at churches to filling the Concertgebouw chamber's, check out our list of the major classical music events going on over the festive period. The listing will be updated as the latest details are released.
So good it deserves three showings, Handel's Messiah comes to the Concertgebouw on 4, 18 and 20 December.
Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves is joined by a live band for her Christmas Time is Here concert at the Concertgebouw on 6 December.
Making the short journey across the North Sea for a special yuletide performance, the Choir of King's College are set to raise the roof of the Concertgebouw with a selection of traditional English Christmas Carols. on 14 December.
The exact programme of this Festive Concert at the Concertgebouw on 17 December is always kept under lock and key until the event but with the Neherlands Philharmonic Orchestra on stage, it's guaranteed to be a spectacular Christmas treat!
Featuring work by composers including Byrd, Britten, Purcell, Avison, Holst and Warlock, A Christmas Carol is a time-honoured holiday season tradition. Ensemble Caméléon perform the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge at Felix Meritis on 17 December.
In this special Christmas programme at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ on 17 December, the female vocalists of Discantus transport the audience back to the Middle Ages when joyous liturgies could be heard at churches throughout December.
The oldest building in Amsterdam, the Oude Kerk is a majestic setting for a Christmas Concert on 18 December. Featuring Christmas music composed by Buxtehude, Corelli, Bull and Scheidemann.
The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw bring their own brand of festive swing to proceedings on 19 December with their annual Christmas Concert. 'Silent Night' and 'White Christmas' as you’ve never heard them before!
Annemart Franken leads proceedings at a traditional Christmas Carol performance at the Oranjekerk on 18 December. Audience participation is encouraged and hot chocolate and mulled wine will be served!
As part of their series of free Tuesday lunchtime concerts, the Muziektheater gets in the Christmas spirit with a rousing performance of Christmas Carols in the foyer on 20 December.
The Amsterdam Chamber Orchestra head to the Small Hall at the Concertgebouw on 21 December for their Christmas Concert featuring works by Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Brahms.
An icon of the Jordaan district of Amsterdam, the Westerkerk joins in the Christmas celebrations with a concert to match its stature in the city. Their Christmas Cathedral Concert is on 20 December.
A staple part of every classical Christmas is Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Head to the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ on 20 December for a performance featuring the Combattimento Consort and the Netherlands Chamber Choir.
On Christmas Eve, the Cappella Nicolai celebrates the festive season with their uplifting Festival of Lessons and Carols at the glorious St Nicolaaskerk (St Nicholas Church) in central Amsterdam.
On Christmas Day itself, the Concertgebouw hosts the Christmas Morn Concert and later in the day there's the Christmas Day Matinee - an institution in Amsterdam! This year, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is joined by acclaimed soprano Anja Harteros.
The Paradiso Orchestra and friends present Paradiso's Christmas Matinee on Boxing Day in the magical main hall of the Paradiso. Head along for a Christmassy combination of classical music, singalongs, mulled wine and moments of meditation.
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