The Glasshouse in Gateshead are as excited for Christmas as an eight-year-old on Christmas morning, and that’s certainly reflected in their programming. This year they’re gifting us everything from Messiah to musicals, big laughs to big bands, festive films to festive favourites, and I for one can’t wait to tear all that wrapping off.

‘There’s no place like home,’ Dorothy tells us each Christmas (when ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is on TV), but the Yuletide festivities for The Glasshouse actually begin on the road this year with Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia jumping into their merry charabanc to visit Newcastle Cathedral (26 November), Hexham Abbey (28 November) and St Gabriel’s Church (29 November). They’ll be taking audiences on a musical sleigh ride through five centuries of festive music. Also hitting the road are Royal Northern Sinfonia for their Winter Tour, which will visit Kendal & Alnwick (27 November), Cullercoats & Musselburgh (28 November), Redcar & Darlington (29 November), Sunderland & Bishop Auckland (30 November), Berwick & Hartlepool (2 December), Newcastle & Richmond (3 December) and Hexham & Carlisle (4 December). They’ll be playing a selection of beautiful pieces carefully chosen to make you feel warm inside. And then, with three clicks of their red heels, The Glasshouse will be returning home for The Wandering Hearts and their ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ show (29 November). The acclaimed folk-Americana group will be bringing bags of warmth, harmony and holiday good cheer. One of the highlights of the season is sure to be the highly acclaimed The Rat Pack – Swingin’ at the Sands show (3 December). This will see Dean, Frank and Sammy singing all their hits along with a range of festive favourites. After a sell-out West Performance last year Rob Brydon (pictured) is bringing his celebrated Christmas show to The Glasshouse (4 December). Accompanied by a fabulous eight-piece band, he will usher in the festive season as only he can, with big songs, tall tales and even an impression or two. Festive favourite Home Alone is back on the big screen once again at The Glasshouse with Royal Northern Sinfonia playing along to this classic family comedy (6 & 7 December). The Albion Christmas Band have been listed in The Telegraph’s ‘top ten unmissable Christmas shows’ and they will be sharing a journey through Britain’s Christmas customs, with carols, spoken word and highlights from their back catalogue (8 December). Electronica wizard Caribou is back in the region once again and he’ll be joined by his four-piece band (9 December) while the following day everyone should brace themselves for Christmas Gaiety – a Queer Holiday Extravaganza (10 December). This will unite drag superstars such as Peaches Christ with Royal Northern Sinfonia to perform seasonal classics. Local heroes Smoove & Turrell will be hitting us up with their soulful fare (12 December) and then Kristian Bezuidenhout joins Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia for a performance of Handel’s Messiah (14 December). Pianist Paul Edis will be presenting ‘A Jazzy Christmas’ (13 December) on the same night that Glasshouse favourite Kate Rusby returns with her evergreen Christmas show (13 December). Martin Stephenson presents Frank & Jim – North East Legends sees Stephenson paying tribute to Franky Gibbon and Jim Hornsby, and he’ll be finally bringing them to The Glasshouse for a night of pure fun and joy (14 December). Another Glasshouse favourite is Cara Dillon, one of the finest voices in Irish folk (15 December). She, as ever, will be giving us a spellbinding show. Christmas as The Glasshouse sees Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia filling the hall with festive cheer (17 December), while the next day Sinfonia of London with John Wilson will be giving us their ‘A Christmas Songbook’ show with star vocalist Matt Ford providing the requisite pipes (18 December). Saxophonist extraordinaire Jess Gillam is back with her dynamic ensemble for a colourful Christmas concert (18 December), and then we’re in for treats galore when Royal Northern Sinfonia conductor Stephen Bell takes to the stage for Christmas at the Musicals (19 December). Back for another year is singer-songwriter Jez Lowe sharing his Wintering Wanderings (21 December) and also returning is The Snowman in Concert (22-24 December). Between Christmas and New Year you can enjoy 007 in Concert (30 December), while you can officially welcome in the New Year in style with the much-loved Viennese New Year’s Day Concert (1 January).

Naturally, The Glasshouse are not resting on their laurels when 2026 swings round, and highlights to look forward in the new year include The Unthanks at 20 (an anniversary special with Royal Northern Sinfonia – 30 January), Transatlantic Sessions (exploring the rich musical traditions that connect Scotland, Ireland and the US – 4 February), the mighty Mogwai (the post-rock pioneers are back – 26 February), Lucy Rose (one of the UK’s most envelope-pushing artists – 28 February), Thundercat (the funk, soul and jazz wizard – 28 March), Ludovico Einaudi: Solo Piano (an intimate evening with this legend – 1 May), and then get set for a whole load of events in October celebrating the minimalist master Steve Reich who will be turning 90.

Full details on all the above – and everything else that is going on at The Glasshouse over the coming months – from: theglasshouseicm.org