Enjoy an unforgettable Classical Christmas Concert in December with the Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands, together with the well-known Dutch pianist Jan Vayne.

Make a classical Christmas concert part of your December in the Netherlands

Spending Christmas in the Netherlands this year? Step inside one of the country's beautiful churches or concert halls and surround yourself with music, festive atmosphere and familiar Christmas melodies.

Classical Christmas brings together Baroque masterpieces, famous Christmas songs and the spontaneous improvisations of Dutch pianist Jan Vayne.

It is festive, accessible and designed to put you in the Christmas mood, whether classical music is already part of your life or this is your first classical concert. 

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From Vivaldi to Christmas classics

Before the interval, the renowned Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands takes you into the world of Antonio Vivaldi.

The ensemble is well known in the Netherlands for its expressive performances of Baroque repertoire. The orchestra plays on authentic period instruments, giving Vivaldi's music a clear, lively and distinctive sound.

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Hear two of his most famous works brought together in one programme: the festive Gloria in D and the unmistakable "Winter" from The Four Seasons.

After the interval, the atmosphere changes. Familiar Christmas favourites including Silent Night, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Last Christmas, Ave Maria and O Holy Night fill the hall. Sopranos Olga Zinovieva and Eva Schuurman take centre stage together with the orchestra and choir.

Meet Jan Vayne

Dutch pianist Jan Vayne is known for crossing the borders between classical music and other musical genres. Rather than following a fixed score all evening, Vayne is famous for improvising at the piano and reacting to the musicians around him.

That spontaneous interaction with The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands makes every Classical Christmas performance slightly different. Warm, festive and full of recognisable music: an ideal December night out.

Musicians

• The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands
• Jan Vayne, piano
• Olga Zinovieva, soprano
• Eva Schuurman, soprano
• Jeroen Assink, bass
• Pieter Jan Leusink, conductor

Classical Christmas concert dates 2026

• Elburg, Grote Kerk - Friday, December 11, 2026, 5pm
• Groningen, Martinikerk - Saturday, December 12, 2026, 7.30pm
• 's-Hertogenbosch, Jheronimus Bosch Art Centre - Sunday, December 13, 2026, 3pm
• Leusden, AFAS Theatre - Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 3.30pm
• Zwolle, Academiehuis - Friday, December 18, 2026, 7.30pm
• Leusden, AFAS Theatre - Saturday, December 19, 2026, 7.30pm
• Nijmegen, Stevenskerk - Sunday, December 20, 2026, 1.30pm
• Rotterdam, Laurenskerk - Monday, December 21, 2026, 7.30pm
• Utrecht, Jacobikerk - Wednesday, December 23, 2026, 7.30pm
• Amsterdam, Concertgebouw - Thursday, December 24, 2026, 2.45pm – Christmas Eve

The Elburg performance takes place during Winter in de Vesting, when the historic fortified town is transformed into a setting inspired by the early 1900s. Entry to the town festivities is free.

For performances at the Concertgebouw and AFAS Theatre, a 5-euro surcharge applies to the tier 1 ticket. At the Concertgebouw, refreshments are included. At AFAS Theatre, refreshments and parking are included.

Exclusive IamExpat ticket offer

IamExpat readers can book Classical Christmas for only 39,95 euros using discount code EXPAT.

Regular tickets start at 90 euros. Prices exclude 6,95 euros in service costs per order and applicable venue surcharges.