B:Festive this Christmas and New Year at Town Hall and Symphony Hall.
The decorations are up, the cards are written, and the presents are (mostly) bought – so now let B:Music put the finishing touches to your festive season. Whether it’s sparkling seasonal songs, festive family fun or the most magical of movies on your wish list this Christmas, it’s all waiting for you on the two world-famous stages of Town Hall and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. So, gather up your loved ones and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Dazzled by dance? Strictly Come Dancing’s most celebrated couple, Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec, take to the Symphony Hall stage with their show Dancing in a Winter Wonderland with Aljaz and Janette (10th December). Combining world-class choreography, fabulous costumes, and amazing sets with the greatest hits of Christmas, the Strictly legends will once again be joined by a supporting cast featuring some of the UK’s very best dancers and singers as they countdown to Christmas Day in this breathtaking spectacular.
Crazy for comedy? B:Music is providing the laughs this festive season with a plethora of comedy A-listers to choose from at Town Hall. Rising TikTok/Instagram star with over a million followers and 500 million video views, Kevin James Thornton performs his stand-up show on 1st December. Expect a hilarious and engaging roller-coaster ride of an evening with LadBaby: Live, Laugh, Love – Live (17th December), as Mr. and Mrs. Christmas spread some much-needed festive cheer with plenty of singing, dancing, and audience participation. And for one night only there are five comedians for the price of one at Town Hall, as Live at Christmas (13th December) returns for a spectacular all-star festive show. Headlining is the one and only David O’Doherty, star of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and his own Channel 4 show Along for the Ride. Joining David in an astounding bill is Scotland’s comedy queen and breakout Taskmaster star Fern Brady, viral sensation Josh Pugh, fast-rising newcomer Kyrah Gray and the phenomenal Jen Brister as host.
Love live music? Join Cory Band on a spectacular journey of immersive music and dazzling multimedia entertainment in a first of its kind, A Cory Trilogy – Episode I: King Kong (3rd December). In their reimagining of Charles Dickens’s timeless A Christmas Carol, Edwyn Scrooch is a mean-spirited brass band conductor. He is shown visions to encourage him to mend his ways, and the first is the classic Hollywood creation King Kong: The Eight Wonder of the World. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra return to Symphony Hall for two shows, with special guests including Birmingham’s own Ruby Turner (15th and 16th December). B:Music is proud to be working with The Amy Winehouse Band (21st December) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Amy Winehouse releasing her debut album Frank to critical acclaim. Amy’s original band present an exclusive performance of the album played in full, track-by-track, performed by the musicians who stood alongside her on stages all around the world.
Join the London Concert Orchestra with conductor Anthony Inglis for the annual New Year’s Eve Gala (31st December), a Symphony Hall tradition of great classics and fun to celebrate the New Year. Continuing the festivities, see in the new year with legendary DJ Gary Davies as he brings the UK’s most popular 80s radio show, BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 80s: The Live Tour (31st December) to Symphony Hall for a special New Year’s Eve celebration. Alongside his producer Johnny Kalifornia, they will take the audience back to the best decade in music. Party along to specially curated mastermixes and watch as the brilliant Sounds of the 80s dancers recreate classic scenes from 80s films and music videos, with special guests Carole Decker (T’Pau), Deniece Pearson (Five Star) and Toyah Wilcox.
Looking for family fun? Join Toscana Strings for The Snowman and The Nutcracker (17th December) and encounter these two family-favourites brought to life through music, dance, and a little help from the audience, in a performance which is perfect for all the family. Or come to Town Hall to meet Timothy Pope, his dad, and his trusty Telescope as they embark on a thrilling quest to find the elusive Shark. Inspired by the beloved books by Nick Sharratt, a fresh, festive twist on the widely acclaimed touring production of Shark in the Park, Oh No! Shark In the Snow! (27th-31st December) is the exciting and enchanting new addition to this fin-tastic series.
Fanatical about films? B:Music is bringing some of the most magical festive favourites to its stages this year, all with a live orchestra playing the famous musical scores performed live to the films. Disney’s much loved 1992 musical comedy, The Muppet Christmas Carol (4th December) is followed by Love Actually (5th December), and for the very first time, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (9th December). Released over twenty years ago, yet still a Christmas classic, the story follows the Grinch who lives in solitude outside of the village of Whoville. He holds an extreme dislike for the townsfolk and Christmas so much that he sets out to terrorize all the festivities that go with it.
And make it a Christmas to remember with a very special performance featuring two of the UK’s best-loved and iconic animated films, The Snowman and Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (23rd December). This award-winning show is brought to life in spectacular fashion by the UK’s finest musicians. Alongside The Snowman film, a whistle-stop Christmas guide to the orchestra 
Other highlights of the B:Festive season include The King’s Singers: When You Wish Upon A Star (20th December) in a concert that celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Renaissance composer William Byrd and 100 years of the magic of Disney.
The Christmas Carol Singalong comes to Symphony Hall (23rd December), which promises family festive fun with the very best Christmas songs and seasonal classics Christmas has to offer. And the Ex Cathedra Choir and Baroque Orchestra, under the baton of Jeffrey Skidmore, bring Handel’s thrilling masterpiece Messiah to Symphony Hall (3rd December), with a historically-informed performance that underscores the vitality and virtuosity of its much-loved choruses and arias.
To see the full programme and to book tickets visit bmusic.co.uk.