Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour

Christmas music doesn’t have to mean heading into Gateshead for a big concert. Royal Northern Sinfonia are taking things on the road again this winter, with their annual tour heading into towns and communities across the North East and Cumbria from Thursday 26 November to Thursday 3 December.

The route takes in Alnwick, Redcar, Hexham, Richmond, Heaton, Kendal, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Berwick, Pickering, Rothbury, Carlisle and Cullercoats. It gives audiences across the region the chance to hear Royal Northern Sinfonia closer to home, while kicking off The Glasshouse’s wider Christmas season at the same time.

Royal Northern Sinfonia head out for winter

There’s something particularly good about seeing an orchestra away from its usual home, and the Winter Tour has become a chance for Royal Northern Sinfonia to take that live experience into a mix of familiar venues and communities around the region.

Alongside the main tour, the Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia will also be out from 26 to 28 November, visiting Newcastle Cathedral, Durham Cathedral and St George’s, Jesmond. Led by chorus director Tim Burke, that programme stretches across five centuries of festive music, moving from well-known carols and classical pieces through to The Christmas Song.

Back in Gateshead, Royal Northern Sinfonia are at the heart of several more Christmas events throughout December, including Home Alone in Concert, Christmas at The Glasshouse with Matt Baker and The Snowman in Concert. So if the Winter Tour puts you in the festive mood, there’s plenty more to follow.

Dates and tickets

Dates: Thursday 26 November – Thursday 3 December 2026
Venues: Various venues across the North East and Cumbria

Dates, venues and ticket details vary across the tour, so check the individual performance before travelling. Full details are available from The Glasshouse.