The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has unveiled its Christmas programme for 2026, bringing more than a month of festive concerts, family favourites and live performances to Gateshead from 26 November 2026 to 1 January 2027.
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The programme brings together Matt Baker, Tony Hadley, Kate Rusby, Gorka Márquez, Hector Gannett, Dave McCabe, Rhiannon Giddens and Royal Northern Sinfonia, alongside festive favourites including Home Alone in Concert and The Snowman.
New for 2026, audiences will also be able to experience Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Live in Concert and The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert at The Glasshouse for the first time.
The season also marks the first Christmas in Sage One following its summer refurbishment.
Festive nights out at The Glasshouse
Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley opens the festive programme in Sage One on 27 November with The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026, combining festive favourites with songs associated with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley.
The same evening, North East band Hector Gannett return to Sage Two with The Great Shakedown, performing their latest album in full with brass arrangements, choir and church bells recorded at Christ Church in North Shields.
On 28 November, One Night in Nashville brings country music to Sage One, while Bob Fox and Stu Luckley perform in Sage Two. London Symphonic Rock Orchestra follows on 29 November, with Swing Into Christmas on 2 December and Christmas Massaoke on 3 December.
Dave McCabe of The Zutons also plays Sage Two on 3 December with special guest James Jay Lewis, followed later in the month by The Wandering Hearts’ I’m Dreaming of a Wandering Hearts Christmas on 6 December.
Xmas on the Dancefloor arrives on 7 December, featuring Strictly Come Dancing favourite Gorka Márquez alongside live singers, dancers and the Xmas Dolls. Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens follows on 8 December.
A Jazzy Christmas celebrates its tenth anniversary at The Glasshouse on 19 December, with pianist Paul Edis, vocalist Jo Harrop and a nine-piece band. Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies bring Defrosted! to the venue on 20 December.
Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Winter Tours
Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Winter Tours run from 26 November to 3 December, taking festive music beyond The Glasshouse to Alnwick, Redcar, Hexham, Richmond, Heaton, Kendal, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Berwick, Pickering, Rothbury, Carlisle and Cullercoats.
The Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour also visits Newcastle Cathedral, Durham Cathedral and St George’s, Jesmond from 26 to 28 November. Led by chorus director Tim Burke, the programme spans five centuries of festive music.
Back at The Glasshouse, saxophonist Jess Gillam and her ensemble perform on 10 December, followed by Kate Rusby’s Christmas show on 14 December, Scottish Christmas Songbook on 15 December and Sinfonia of London: A Christmas Songbook on 16 December.
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. The season concludes with the traditional Viennese New Year’s Day Concert on 1 January 2027.
Festive favourites on stage and screen
Home Alone in Concert returns on 5 and 6 December, with Royal Northern Sinfonia performing John Williams’ score live alongside the film.
Christmas at the Musicals follows on 9 December, while the Big Family Festive Gig takes place on 12 and 13 December.
Two additions make their Glasshouse debuts this year: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Live in Concert on 20 December and The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert on 22 December.
The Snowman in Concert returns on 23 and 24 December, with Royal Northern Sinfonia accompanying Raymond Briggs’ classic and a young North East soloist performing Walking in the Air. The programme continues between Christmas and New Year with 007 in Concert on 30 December.
Christmas traditions and new experiences
“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.”
Jo Thornson, Director of Contemporary Music at The Glasshouse, added that the programme brings together established favourites and new experiences, from introducing children to The Snowman to festive nights out and world-class live music.
The Glasshouse Christmas programme runs from 26 November 2026 to 1 January 2027. Tickets for all performances are on sale now through The Glasshouse.
