When staying at Park Grand London Kensington, you are only a quick stroll from Royal Albert Hall, a concert hall and one of the UK’s most treasured, iconic buildings – all without public or government funding!
To give you a little background of Royal Albert’s History before recommending the best upcoming performances there, it was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 and is probably the most diverse performance space in the world as it is host to classical, rock and pop concerts, ballet, opera, film screenings with live orchestral accompaniment, sporting fixtures, award ceremonies and community events.
Through the decades it has had various impactful moments and in modern times, you can enjoy the following upcoming concerts.
The Fashion Awards 2019
This year’s Fashion Awards, hosted by The British Fashion Council, will be taking place in the Royal Albert Hall’s auditorium. The event is a celebration of icons of fashion and a recognition of the work that gets poured into the industry yearly. It is a nod towards fashion initiative and encouragement for moguls of the industry to continue pushing the boundaries and creating.
Dates: 2 December
Christmas Carols with Bloodwise
This Christmas carol extravaganza with Bloodwise is an event aimed to raise money for research into blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform alongside jazz vocalist Natalie Rushdie and other talented musicians in this cheering, sing-along event to get everyone into the yuletide spirit.
Dates: 3 December
Christmas with The Salvation Army
Back again for Christmas 2019 is The Salvation Army’s International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters to create an evening of merriment, season’s celebrations, carol singing and religious readings. All funds go towards The Salvation Army, a Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation.
Dates: 4 December
Father Christmas at The Hall
Throughout the Christmas season, Father Christmas is making a guest appearance at The Hall for children to enjoy. The performance is a theatrical-walkaround with Santa and other magical North Pole residents telling stories of Christmas’ past with puppetry and live music. Only until the 22nd, though, after which he has important business to attend to.
Dates: 5 – 22 December
Afternoon Coffee Club
This is a social event that has been arranged for the elderly community – those under retirement age will have to just enjoy the Indian Afternoon Tea at the hotel. But those of the right age can enjoy good company, some live music and some tea, coffee and cake in the Hall’s Elgar Room. This is a part of the Community and Adults Series.
Dates: 5 December
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
The Royal Albert Hall screens films to the accompaniment of their original soundtrack by a live orchestra every month. For the Christmas month, this classic, much-loved children’s film directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, will have the complete John Williams’ Academy Award®-winning score performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra. It will be conducted by Ben Palmer while the film is projected on the big screen.
Dates: 8 December
The BT Christmas Carol Concert
BT will be the sponsors for the Royal Albert Hall next year, so this concert is a warm welcome from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Bateman, London Community Gospel Choir and Military Fanfare Team. You can expect Christmas sing-alongs and a full house, so book early to ensure you don’t miss out on this festive celebration.
Dates: 9 December
London Community Gospel Choir at Christmas
Together with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, the London Community Gospel Choir will be performing an evening of Christmas-themed music and performance. The show sold out last year and so this year they are back with a dazzling, new show to raise the roof with soulful tunes and harmonies.
Dates: 14 December
A Christmas Carol – A Live Recital
Last year, the Hall hosted a sell-out performance of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol. The event was the reading of the famed story to evocative orchestral accompaniment and favourite carols. Due to the success of last year, it will be happening again this year and will likely be another whopping success, so ensure you get your tickets early for this family-friendly performance of a beloved ghostly Christmas story.
Dates: 15 December
Royal Albert Hall Christmas Variety Show
Oscar-winning Hollywood composer Michael Giacchino will be at the podium at this year’s Royal Albert Hall Christmas Variety Show. The seasonal spirit is captured in performances by special guests and artists which will be announced closer to the time.
Date: 20 December
The Nutcracker
This absolute cracker of a ballet, The Nutcracker, will be performed in the hall, courtesy of Birmingham Royal Ballet. This collaboration occurs every year with The Nutcracker and this year promises to be just as mesmerizing as the last two. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is served exquisite justice by this talented group of ballet performers as well as the skills of Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
Date: 28 – 31 December
The December season at the Royal Albert Hall is a musically spectacular tribute to the season which ought to get even the Scrooge’s amongst us into the Christmas spirit. There are several events suited to different tastes, from gospel performances, to live orchestral film accompaniment, to live story reading and variety shows. There is something for everyone to enjoy amidst the upcoming performances due to take the Royal Albert Hall by a storm.
Don’t miss your chance to attend one (or more!) of the above by booking your tickets and rooms at The Park Grand Kensington now. Remember, by booking in advance, you could save big!
