Carols At The Royal Albert Hall

As part of its Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall series, Carols at the Royal Albert Hall is guaranteed to put anyone in the festive mood, featuring a host of holiday favourites performed by a world-class orchestra and choirs. This is a must-see over the festive period.

The evening was hosted by Jess Gillam, who brought a wonderful, upbeat energy to the audience, getting everyone in the mood to sing. Her light-hearted jokes and audience interaction guided the transitions between songs, giving brief context about the origins of each piece or insights into the performers. These little touches helped immerse the audience, making the experience feel extra special.

Gillam was joined on stage by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Choral Society, and the National Youth Choir, all conducted by Richard Cooke. Soloist Cherise was a joy to listen to, and seeing such talented performers live was a real privilege.

Of course, the highlight of the evening is the audience participation. Among the professional performances, there were seven opportunities for the audience to join in, with lyrics provided to ensure no one got left out. A personal highlight was the mayhem of over 5,000 audience members attempting to sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in time and with the correct lyrics—a true festive challenge and a lot of fun to witness.

Overall, this is a wonderful festive treat and an absolute joy to experience. Whether you love belting out a song in the shower or have never sung before, this event should be firmly on your radar this Christmastime.