1. London Handel Festival

The London Handel Festival’s annual performance of Messiah is now a firm fixture in the Christmas calendar. Simon Williams will conduct the Choir of St George’s, the London Handel Orchestra and star soloists. 

When: Thursday 6 December, 7pm
Where: St George’s, Hanover Square, 2A Mill St, Mayfair, London W1S 1FX

2. Temple Winter Festival

Messiah at Temple Church with the highly respected Collegium Musicum of London, directed by Greg Morris ‘a born musician…’, and a wonderful line-up of talented soloists.

When: Friday 14 December, 7.30pm
Where: Temple Church, London EC4Y 7BB

3. King’s Place

Some of the best period instrument specialists in the UK, the Hanover Band give audiences a feeling for what earlier music actually sounded like when heard in favourable circumstances. With their gutsy playing ‘stripping decades of varnish from the score,’ as the Times says, Handel’s ever-popular Messiah will sound fresh and new.

When: Monday 17 December, 7.30pm
Where: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG

4.  Royal Albert Hall

The annual performance of Handel’s sacred oratorio Messiah returns to the Royal Albert Hall this year. The splendour of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonia Chorus, will be combined with rising vocal stars, brought together by the much lauded young Russian conductor Maxim Emelyanychev.

When: Friday 21 December, 7:30pm
Where: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

5.  St Martin in the Fields

A chance to hear the English Chamber Choir’s traditional performance of Handel’s Messiah surrounded by the jaw-dropping architecture of candle-lit St Martin-in-the-Fields.

When: Saturday 22 December, 7:30pm
Where: St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ