I LOVE going to Christmas concerts and shows! in previous years, a much beloved Holiday tradition has been to go to at least one Christmas concert, either at a local church or theatre. This year, of course, things are different.
However, I have been researching and finding out that some of my all time favorite artists will be performing virtually over the upcoming weeks! I think there is nothing quite like a Christmas concert to truly make you feel the joy of the season. Especially this year we need it more than ever.
I am really happy with the following list because I believe there is something for everyone in it: from classic, to rock, to comedy, some for purchase, some free, and many live streamed and available to watch afterwards until January.
Andrea Bocelli’s “Believe in Christmas”
Andrea Bocelli, Italian opera singer, songwriter, tenor and record producer, will live stream his concert on the 12th of December from the Teatro Regio di Parma, a beautiful opera house in Parma, Italy. This performance will include songs from his latest album Believe, released earlier in November, and some of his favorite Christmas songs, with the accompaniment of a full-orchestra and some surprise guests.
This global livestream concert will broadcast across multiple time zones and it is a one-off live event only.
When: December 12, 2020
Price: $25
Watch here.
Purchase tickets here
André Rieu’s “Magical Maastricht”
André Rieu is one of my favorite performers! I was planning on catching him live this summer at one of his European concert dates but of course, that did not happen. This might just be the next best thing. If you haven’t heard of him, he is well known for his prolific career, his grand, open-air concerts and for turning classical music into a fun, joyous and festive event.
This concert highlights some of the best performances over the last 15 years from his hometown (Maastricht Netherlands) and is joined by the Johann Strauss Orchestra and many other special guests. His new CD, Jolly Holiday, is available for purchase here
When: from December 19th, 2020 until January 3rd 2021
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: €12.50/$15
Watch here
Tickets here
Voces8 “Live from London Christmas”
I had the good fortune to listen to Voces8 live in Waynesboro a couple of years ago and I can safely vouch for the fact that their performances are stunning! They are a British vocal group whose repertoire includes Renaissance music, classical, jazz and even contemporary pop arrangements.
Fun fact! In 2013, a book entitled ‘The VOCES8 Method‘ was published. It was designed as an innovative new system to enhance neurological development based on research by the Institute of Education. It contains group activities centered on rhythm and melody. The Method has been implemented, so far, in over 100 schools in the UK and France.
This is a compilation of 16 concerts that include favorite holiday pieces filmed live from London and other venues across the world.
When: Each concert is being broadcast on a different date. Check them all out here. Broadcast begins for each at 2pm EST/7pm GMT. Available to watch until 12pm GMT on 15th January 2021.
Duration: each concert lasts 60 minutes
Price: tickets to watch all 16 concerts online are £120/US$150; individual: £12.50/US$15
Purchase tickets here
Kings Place “Nine Lessons and Carols for Socially Distanced People”
This is a 24-hour comedic live show, broadcasted from Kings Place, London. I first learned about this venue while researching the area I booked my airbnb in and before my trip to London/UK in 2019 (feels like a lifetime ago!). I didn’t get the chance to go and see one of their performances but I can tell you that it sounds like a pretty amazing place: it started as a philanthropic endeavor to bring a diversity of arts and performances to the local community, they are independently funded, inclusive and with a critically-acclaimed and diverse program.
For this whole day event, there will be a host of performances from well known authors, comedians, singers, actors and poets. For a full list of guests, see here. Just tune in and watch it live from the comfort of your homes.
When: December 12, 2020, starting at midday GMT
Duration: 24 hours
Price: FREE
Watch here
Lindsey Stirling “Home for the Holidays Special”
Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, songwriter, and dancer. She is well known for her choreographed violin performances, full of dynamism and for blending musical genres. She will be hosting her Home For The Holidays Special via two showings on Saturday, December 12th. All guests will be able to access either one, or both and up to 72 hours after the last showing.
When: December 12, 2020
- Show 1: 3PM EST/12PM PST/8PM GMT/ 9PM CET
- Show 2: 8PM EST/ 5PM PST
Price: $23.55 for the virtual concert experience. For a full list of available packages, here
Purchase tickets here
Goodman Theatre “Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol” – an audio play
The Goodman Theatre, a professional theatre company that has been part of the Chicago, IL, landscape for over 80 years, is graciously allowing us to audio stream this beloved Christmas classic.
When: December 1 – December 31, 2020
Price: FREE
Listen to the audio play here
London Symphony Orchestra “A singalong Christmas”
From one of the top 5 (!) orchestras in the world we are regaled with a collection of festive favorites, gospel classics and some international discoveries. Best part? will be broadcasted for free on Youtube! For the full list of carols and songs, see here. And read more about this production here.
When: December 13, 2020 at 3.00pm GMT. Available on demand afterwards for 90 days
Price: FREE
Watch here
Sarah Brightman’s “A Christmas Symphony”
Right before Christmas! Sarah is a is a British classical crossover soprano, singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and musician. She is well known for her duet with Andrea Bocelli, Time to say Goodbye as well as for her prolific career and her many and varied humanitarian and charitable causes. She will live stream her concert from the historic Christ Church in London. We are to enjoy holiday classics and festive fan favorites, including “Silent Night,” “I Believe In Father Christmas,” “Ave Maria” and many more. Find out more about it here.
When: December 20 and 21, 2020. Available for viewing until December 22nd at 11:59PM EST
December 20th
- UK/Ireland & Europe – 7:30 pm GMT/8:30pm CET
- North America (East Coast) and Central – South America – 7:30 pm EST/9:30 pm ART/BRT
- North America/West Coast – 7:30 pm PST
December 21st
- Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Korea/Asia 7:30 pm AEDT, 9:30 pm NZDT/5:30 pm JST & KST
Price: $18 for the concert. More options and bundles available here
Watch here (in order to access the live stream you will need to have created and sign in into your account)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Eve & Other stories”
This is for all the rock lovers out there! The Trans-Siberian Orchestra promises an “electrifying 90-minute performance of its beloved album, the rock opera Christmas Eve and Other Stories”. They are known for elaborate concerts which include many visual and audio elements synchronized to their music like light shows, lasers, video screens, and other effects. Notable is also their extensive charity work.
When: December 18th, 2020, 8pm EST
Price: $30 for the livestream. More options here
Watch here
Okay, it will be very hard to choose but I am so grateful and excited that we can still watch and listen to some great Christmas music, in spite of the pandemic. I am just realizing that gifting one of these concerts to someone you know that is in need of some cheer will also make for a great gift.
Before you do that, here is a time zone converter because I know it’s madness with all the different time zones, streaming dates and starting times. Just choose the desired date (that of the concert) and then your time zone: the continent and the nearest city to you from the list (from time zone), and then choose the place you are converting to (to time zone). To figure out the time difference between your city and that of the desired show, use this one.
Also, see here my last year’s guide of Christmas concerts to watch in full on Youtube.
So what are some other virtual Christmas concerts that we should know about? and are you planning on watching any?
Comment down below and let us know!
Much love and happy watching,
Roxi
*Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich and found on Pexels
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