Elves, Tchaikovsky and Mariah Carey: Wembley Park announces two Christmas concerts
Wembley Park is bringing the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to BOXPARK on Saturday 12 December for two festive performances: a Christmas adventure for children in the morning and an evening of orchestral favourites, pop hits and singalongs.
A 50-piece orchestra will take over BOXPARK Wembley for the day, with conductor Stephen Bell leading both performances. It’s the second year running that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has staged a Christmas concert in the neighbourhood, following a sold-out event in 2025.
The morning performance, The Great Elf Takeover, starts at 11.30am and is aimed at children up to the age of 11, although all ages are welcome.
The story follows an elf who builds the best bikes and the friends who help him save Christmas. Musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will provide the soundtrack, with vocalist, clarinettist and presenter Aga Serugo-Lugo joining the performance.
Expect sleigh bells, a sprinkling of snow and a musical journey from Santa’s workshop to the night sky. The show lasts around an hour, with doors opening at 11am. Afterwards, families can stay for lunch at BOXPARK, which has more than 20 street food traders and bars.
The evening concert, Christmas Unwrapped, starts at 7pm and brings together traditional festive music, orchestral favourites and Christmas pop. Doors open at 6pm.
International concert soloist and jazz singer Katie Birtill will perform alongside Lance Ellington, the vocalist familiar to millions of BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers. The programme ranges from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker to Wham!’s Last Christmas, with Winter Wonderland, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You also on the set list.
There’ll also be a singalong to The Twelve Days of Christmas. After the concert, BOXPARK will host a free Christmas DJ takeover, open to everyone, including those who haven’t attended the show. Its street food traders and bars will be open before and after the performance.
Tickets and practical information
Both concerts take place at BOXPARK Wembley, on Olympic Way, on Saturday 12 December 2026.
- The Great Elf Takeover: 11.30am–12.30pm. Adult tickets £10; children’s tickets £5.
- Christmas Unwrapped: 7pm–approximately 9pm. Adult tickets £15; children’s tickets £7.50.
RPO Brent Members can attend for £5 per adult, with children going free. For the evening performance, the offer is limited to two adults and two children per membership.
Both concerts are standing-room events, with wheelchair access and a limited amount of accessible seating.
Tickets are available through Wembley Park.
All images (c) Chris Winter.
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
