Get your merry groove on this holiday season at Auckland Philharmonia’s Christmas concerts, which are packed full of joyful tunes, performed live by some of the best musicians in Aotearoa.
Bring the kids along to the orchestra’s Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas Kirihimete concerts for sing and dance-along fun or head to Celebrate Christmas for an evening of more traditional festive music performed by the whole Auckland Phil, together with the incredible voices of tenor Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono and The Graduate Choir New Zealand.
Christmas Tunes for Tamariki
It’s hard to spot anyone without a smile at Auckland Phil’s Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas Kirihimete, and for good reason as these children’s concerts are the ultimate in interactive seasonal fun for little ones. This year, the Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas Kirihimete concert series kicks off on 30 November in the Auckland Town Hall, followed by Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Theatre on 15 December.
Families return year after year for these lively concerts that are specially designed for preschoolers and early primary aged tamariki. Kid-friendly elements over the one-hour performances include opportunities to have a go at conducting, sing and dance along with the music, and join a walk through of the orchestra while the musicians are playing to see the instruments up close. Ahead of the performances, free pre-concert activities include face painting, a colouring-in competition and a musical instrument show and tell.
Sprinkling this magical performance with her infectious energy will be the award-winning children’s singer and songwriter, Rainbow Rosalind the Fairy. With kids’ crowd pleasers ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ on the set list, this will be a cracker of a concert.
For the Auckland Town Hall concerts, most of the stalls seating will be moved to make way for big cushions and beanbags, making it a great, relaxed space for kids to have fun dancing and listening to the music.
There will also be a special performance by 10-year-old Lydia Clark, the 2024 Kōkako Award Winner, who will sing her song ‘Of Love We Are Made’ alongside the Auckland Philharmonia. Presented for the first time at the 2024 NZ Children’s Music Awards, the Kōkako Award nurtures young performers in their endeavours.
These events are a wonderful way to join in the fun and get in the spirit of the season with the youngest members of your family. Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas Kirihimete is delivered by Auckland Philharmonia’s music education programme, Learn & Participate, thanks to the support of Auckland Live, Foundation North and the Margaret Neutze Legacy fund.
Tunes for Tamariki: Christmas Kirihimete
10am & 11.30am, Saturday 30 November, Auckland Town Hall
2pm & 3.30pm, Sunday 15 December, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna
Booking: aucklandphil.nz/tamarikixmas24
Celebrate the Music of Christmas
If you love traditional Christmas tunes, then head along to Auckland Phil’s Celebrate Christmas concerts, presented by Stanley Street. For this concert, the orchestra will be joined by the marvellous Graduate Choir New Zealand, and outstanding tenor Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, as they perform seasonal music in the majestic setting of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Music to look forward to includes excerpts from J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus alongside Leroy Anderson’s ‘Sleigh Ride’ and traditional Christmas carols. Due to popular demand, this year the cathedral’s organ will add to the powerful sound of the orchestra and vocalists – this will be a moving music experience that’s not to be missed.
Stanley Street presents: Celebrate Christmas
7.30pm, Friday 13 December, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell
3pm, Saturday 14 December, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Tenor: Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono
The Graduate Choir New Zealand
Director: Terence Maskell
Booking: aucklandphil.nz/xmas24
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