The Glasshouse unwraps a festive programme packed with Christmas favourites, family classics and unforgettable nights out

The Glasshouse unwraps a festive programme packed with Christmas favourites, family classics and unforgettable nights out

Matt Baker, Tony Hadley, Kate Rusby, Gorka Márquez, Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Winter Tours and festive favourites including Home Alone in Concert and The Snowman headline The Glasshouse’s Christmas programme for 2026.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has launched its Christmas programme for 2026, with more than a month of festive performances running from 26 November 2026 to 1 January 2027.

From television presenter Matt Baker and Kate Rusby’s much-loved Christmas show to Hector Gannett, Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Xmas on the Dancefloor featuring Gorka Márquez and festive film favourites including Home Alone in Concert and The Snowman, this year’s programme brings together festive traditions, family favourites and unforgettable nights out. New for 2026, audiences can also experience Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Live in Concert and The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert for the first time at The Glasshouse.

Tony Hadley heads a line-up of live music throughout the season, while Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Winter Tours takes festive music to communities across the North East and Cumbria before returning home to Gateshead.

The programme also marks the first Christmas season in Sage One following its summer refurbishment, welcoming audiences back to the venue’s flagship concert hall for another festive season of music, film and celebration.

Festive nights out

The Christmas programme features an eclectic mix of live music, from pop legends and country favourites to folk traditions, contemporary North East artists and festive celebrations.

Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley opens the festive programme in Sage One on 27 November with The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026. One of the UK’s most iconic voices, Tony will perform festive favourites alongside songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, bringing his trademark charisma, timeless vocals and big band sound to The Glasshouse for the perfect start to the festive season.

The same evening, Hector Gannett return to Sage Two with The Great Shakedown, their most expansive and searching record to date. Praised by Sam Fender, MOJO and BBC 6 Music, the North East band will perform the album in full, bringing together bold brass arrangements, choir and church bells recorded at Christ Church in North Shields.

The following evening offers two very different nights out, with One Night in Nashville (28 November) bringing the sounds of country music to Sage One, while North East folk favourites Bob Fox and Stu Luckley (28 November) perform in Sage Two.

The festive celebrations continue with the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra (29 November), bringing iconic rock anthems to life with the power of a live orchestra, before Swing Into Christmas (2 December) and the ultimate festive singalong Christmas Massaoke (3 December).

Dave McCabe (The Zutons) brings his solo show to Sage Two on 3 December, joined by very special guest James Jay Lewis, performing songs from across McCabe’s career alongside new material.December also sees The Wandering Hearts – I’m Dreaming of a Wandering Hearts Christmas (6 December).

The festive celebrations continue with Xmas on the Dancefloor (7 December), a brand-new dance spectacular featuring guest star and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Gorka Márquez alongside live singers, world-class dancers and the dazzling Xmas Dolls. Packed with festive favourites, pop anthems and spectacular choreography, the production brings ballroom, Latin, contemporary and commercial dance together in a high-energy Christmas celebration.

Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens (8 December) follows, before A Jazzy Christmas (19 December) celebrates its 10th anniversary at The Glasshouse, with pianist Paul Edis, vocalist Jo Harrop and a nine-piece band transforming festive favourites into swinging big band numbers, sambas and more. North East favourite Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies – Defrosted! (20 December) completes the festive nights-out line-up.

Much-loved Christmas traditions return

The festive season also begins with Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Winter Tours (26 November–3 December),taking festive music beyond The Glasshouse and into communities across the North East and Cumbria.

Royal Northern Sinfonia’s annual Winter Tour visits Alnwick, Redcar, Hexham, Richmond, Heaton, Kendal, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Berwick, Pickering, Rothbury, Carlisle and Cullercoats, bringing live orchestral performances to audiences across the region.

Alongside the main Winter Tour, the Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour visits Newcastle Cathedral, Durham Cathedral and St George’s, Jesmond from 26 to 28 November. Led by chorus director Tim Burke, the brass and percussion players of Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia will perform a festive musical journey spanning five centuries, from beloved carols and classical favourites to The Christmas Song.

Back at The Glasshouse, the festive programme continues with acclaimed saxophonist Jess Gillam and her ensemble (10 December), whose genre-defying performances blend classical, folk and contemporary influences, before Britain’s best-loved folk singer Kate Rusby returns with her acclaimed Christmas show (14 December).

The celebrations continue with Scottish Christmas Songbook (15 December) and Sinfonia of London: A Christmas Songbook (16 December) before television presenter Matt Baker returns on 17 December for Christmas at The Glasshouse, joining Royal Northern Sinfonia, Associate Conductor Ellie Slorach, Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia and Voices of the Rivers’ Edge for an evening of festive music, seasonal stories and celebration.

The festivities conclude with the traditional Viennese New Year’s Day Concert (1 January), welcoming audiences into 2027.

Festive favourites on stage and screen

Some of cinema’s best-loved festive stories once again take centre stage in Sage One, accompanied by the unforgettable sound of a live orchestra.

Audiences can experience Home Alone in Concert (5–6 December), with Royal Northern Sinfonia performing John Williams’ iconic score live alongside the film.

The festive programme continues with Christmas at the Musicals (9 December), celebrating favourite songs from some of the West End’s best-loved productions, before families can get involved at the Big Family Festive Gig (12–13 December).

For the first time, audiences can experience Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Live in Concert (20 December) and The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert (22 December). The Snowman in Concert (23–24 December) then brings Raymond Briggs’ timeless classic to life with Royal Northern Sinfonia, accompanied by a young North East soloist performing Walking in the Air.

The festive celebrations continue between Christmas and New Year with 007 in Concert (30 December), celebrating more than six decades of iconic James Bond music in a spectacular live orchestral performance.

Jo Thornson, Director of Contemporary Music at The Glasshouse, said:

“Christmas is one of the most special times of year at The Glasshouse. Every festive season we welcome people back to performances that have become part of their own Christmas traditions, while others visit us for the very first time. This year’s programme brings together much-loved favourites alongside exciting new experiences, whether that’s introducing children to The Snowman, sharing a festive night out with friends or enjoying world-class live music together. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back to celebrate the season with us.”

The Christmas programme runs from 26 November 2026 to 1 January 2027.

Tickets for all performances are on sale now at theglasshouseicm.org.