London Concertante brings a rich variety of seasonal music-making to Manchester Cathedral this winter with a special four-concert festive weekend on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December 2025. Presented in the ensemble’s signature candlelit setting, the weekend features a wide-ranging programme that moves from Beethoven and Chopin to Strauss and Tchaikovsky, culminating in two performances of the ensemble’s acclaimed Christmas at the Movies concert.
The weekend opens on Saturday afternoon with Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight, an intimate recital performed by pianist Ian Buckle. The programme includes Beethoven’s evocative Moonlight Sonata, Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude and Liszt’s monumental Sonata in B minor.
On Saturday evening, the ensemble returns with the Viennese Christmas Spectacular, a joyful programme filled with festive sparkle. Music includes Strauss’s Die Fledermaus Overture and Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Waltz and the ever-popular Nutcracker Suite, alongside the iconic Blue Danube waltz.
The celebrations continue on Sunday, when London Concertante presents two performances of Christmas at the Movies, featuring music from beloved festive classics such as Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, White Christmas, The Polar Express, The Holiday and The Snowman.
Arranged especially for London Concertante, the programme has become one of the UK’s most popular festive traditions, having toured to more than half a million people since 2019.
Coinciding with the weekend, London Concertante releases its new studio album Christmas at the Movies on 8 December 2025. The album captures the warmth, nostalgia and cinematic glow of the live concerts, offering listeners a way to relive the experience throughout the festive season.
Live Performance Details
Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight
takes place on Saturday 27 December at 3:00pm, featuring pianist Ian Buckle in a one-hour programme including Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude and Liszt’s Sonata in B minor.
Viennese Christmas Spectacular by Candlelight
follows on Saturday 27 December at 7:30pm. This two-hour programme (including interval) features orchestral favourites by Johann Strauss, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, concluding with the Blue Danube waltz.
Christmas at the Movies
will be performed twice on Sunday 28 December, at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. The concert features music from Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, The Polar Express, White Christmas, A Christmas Carol, The Holiday, The Snowman and It’s a Wonderful Life.
All performances take place at:
Manchester Cathedral, Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX
Seating is unreserved within each ticket band.
