So, whether Handel’s Messiah is a core part of your Christmas tradition, or you’re looking for a family friendly concert to liven up the holidays, here are 10 brilliant events from Classic FM’s partner orchestras and choir this winter.

Gaspard the Fox — Media

Join him on Classic FM from 7pm on Monday 26 December, and from 8pm from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December. Music for the Festival of Lights with Rabbi Thomas Salamon Dame Patricia Routledge ‘‘This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated and speaks to the hearts of all children, young and old.” Zeb – I will be on a flight to Mexico on Christmas Day, so will be learning plenty of Villancicos (Spanish carols)!This December, Classic FM’s Orchestra in North-East England and at Sage Gateshead, Royal Northern Sinfonia offer up a classical festive feast, from Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’ to Pärt’s Trisagion, plus brilliant music by Biber, Hildegard of Bingen, and Bach.

Christmas concerts from Classic FM’s partner 10 best Christmas concerts from Classic FM’s partner

Some of the most exciting, dramatic and downright entertaining programmes from over fifty years of broadcasting are brought together in this special event, presented by Zeb Soanes. One thing unites them all – unforgettable theme music. Tonight’s concert brings you that music from The Bridgewater Hall stage in a live performance with a healthy dose of nostalgia. March 4th is World Book Day and amongst the new releases is Zeb Soanes’ new book Gaspard’s Foxtrot. Jonathan Dove has teamed up with Zeb to write a 30-minute concert work for narrator and orchestra based on the book that will be premiered this year at the Three Choirs Festival. You recorded the carol Christmas is Here at Scotland’s Studio in September – have you felt Christmassy ever since?! Read more: Classic FM Christmas playlist – here’s how to listen Gaspard’s Christmas with Zeb Soanes James – I think the snowy city skyline will be fun, I can be quite free with that. But I expect the audience will be excited to see the characters appear, so I’m looking forward to their reactions as I draw live…Following on from the success of Gaspard’s Foxtrot, our concert programme for schools, we’re excited to perform the world premiere of Gaspard’s Christmas, the latest orchestral tale from Classic FM presenter and author Zeb Soanes. With music by composer Jonathan Dove and live drawing from illustrator James Mayhew, this extra special performance is the perfect way to see in Christmas with the family. James – My husband is Spanish so our Christmas is a mix of traditions. My favourite thing is the Dia de los Reyes – The Three Kings Festival on January 6th. We always throw a party and follow the Spanish tradition of a King’s Cake, and gift-giving. It’s a wonderful way to end the festivities.

Celebrate Christmas with Gaspard the Fox! - Royal Scottish

The book launched opened with a performance of a new Christmas Carol –“Christmas Is Here” with words by Zeb Soanes and music by the great Jonathan Dove. This was an extract from the new concert work by Jonathan, an adaptation for narrator and orchestra, commissioned by the Royal Scottish National orchestra, and to be premiered in Glasgow and Edinburgh this Christmas. Zeb will be narrating and I’ll be painting live!The pictures in Gaspard’s Christmas are absolutely beautiful and we’re so excited to see you paint live at the concerts. Do you ever get nervous doing this? Classic FM’s very own Alan Titchmarsh joins the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the CBSO Choruses for an evening of festive cheer, full of traditional carols and new Christmas classics. Over four days, from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December, we dedicate the day to some of the greatest classical music of all time, as decided by listeners across the UK. Every piece of music played between 9am and 5pm is taken from the current Classic FM Hall of Fame Top 300, made up of hundreds of thousands of votes each Easter.

Gaspard’s Christmas — Just Imagine Gaspard’s Christmas — Just Imagine

James – Christmas pud for me – I love it. Also, Christmas cake and mince pies – I’d eat them all year round if I could! O Holy Night’ has been the forerunner for six years in a row, but can it be beaten this year? Join us on Classic FM, to find out The Nation’s Favourite Carol in 2022. Classical Christmas tales on Classic FM Classic FM’s Orchestra in North West England, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and two massed choirs come together for a whirlwind of festive music, featuring RLPO’s Artist in Residence trumpeter Pacho Flores, and presented by Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason. Illustration is a huge part of Gaspard’s public life, how would you characterise your relationship with your illustrator?James – Actually, it’s Sleeping Beauty for me – I think it’s some of Tchaikovsky’s greatest music, and something I’ve painted to in concerts very often.