Christmas Concerts 2025: Breathtaking Classics
Warm yourself during the Christmas season with the most beautiful Christmas concerts of 2025. From the greatest classical Christmas hits to a winter fairy tale for children. Enjoy our wonderful December program.
What’s on in Rotterdam this December? Well, we have an idea for you. Take a look at the enchanting concerts we’re offering during the festive season. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra has several Christmas concerts on the program this December.
Which Christmas concerts do we offer?
During the dark December days of 2025, we are presenting three beautiful Christmas concerts. These performances are for both young and old. Below, we’ve listed them for you.
Proms: Nutcracker & Company
The holiday season is approaching! Time to deck the halls, light your coziest candles, and fill your home with festive greenery—we’ve got the perfect music to match. The Nutcracker Suite is an essential Christmas classic. De Volkskrant reviewed a performance of The Nutcracker two years ago: “Fortunately, Rotterdam still has a great Nutcracker. Conductor Vasily Petrenko showcased what an incredible orchestra the Rotterdam Philharmonic is, with strings in a thousand colors ★★★★.” This performance takes place on December 13, 2025. Click here to visit the concert page.
Bach and Mozart
In the heart of winter, Mozart’s luminous Haffner Symphony fills the darkness with light. Adding even more brilliance and warmth, we present Bach’s Third Orchestral Suite and his Concerto for Oboe d’Amore, with our very own Karel Schoofs as the soloist. Let winter do its worst—we’ll keep the glow alive. This performance takes place on December 19, 2025. Click here to visit the concert page.
Christmas with the King's Singers
The Guardian wrote, “If you’re looking for something light this Christmas, you can’t go wrong with The King’s Singers." These six vocal masters deliver a seamless mix of classic carols and modern festive tunes, performed with impeccable precision and undeniable charm. A truly joyful way to celebrate the season! This performance takes place on December 20 en 21, 2025. Click here to visit the concert page.
The Nutcracker (4+)
In 2025, we also have a magical Christmas performance for the little ones. Actors from Teatro Concerto bring The Nutcracker to life through enchanting puppet theater. Previously, they performed Christmas Carols (4+) en Swan Lake (4+) with great success. TThe Nutcracker is perfect for children aged 4 and up and will be performed four times on December 27 and 28, 2025. Click here to visit the concert page.
What can you expect from our Christmas concerts?
What makes our Christmas performances so special? The Christmas concerts of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra offer classical music at the highest level and immerse you in the holiday spirit.
With Proms: Nutcracker & Company, we present a rich side program, characteristic of a proms concert. Upon arrival, enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream or a glass of glühwein. Stroll through the Grand Hall of De Doelen, Rotterdam, and explore the charming stalls filled with delicious treats and beautiful gifts—perfect for your last-minute Christmas shopping (or as a treat for yourself). And after the concert, stay a little longer for a festive encore and a drink in the hall.
For our younger audience, The Nutcracker comes with a delightful pre-show experience. Before these magical Christmas concerts for children, families can enjoy a festive and interactive program. In the beautifully decorated foyer of De Doelen, kids and parents can explore classical music and art in a playful way. Expect an instrument parade by SKVR Music School Rotterdam, face painting, arts and crafts, an enchanting Virtual Reality experience, and the Orchestra Explorer, an interactive sound installation.
Reactions to our Christmas concerts
“We really enjoyed it and are seriously considering making the Christmas concerts a holiday tradition!”
“We were so enthusiastic about the concert—the atmosphere and the music moved us so much that we couldn’t give anything less than a 10. We’re complete newcomers to classical music, but we absolutely loved it. This left us wanting more!!!”
“It’s amazing that an orchestra like this can bring so much joy and Christmas spirit to so many people on the 24th.”
“I really liked that the conductor gave some explanations and background information about the pieces being played. It helped us understand the story behind the music, making the concert even more enjoyable and beautiful to listen to.”
