15 Christmas and New Year Concerts Worth Flying For

1.Christmas & New Year’s Concert in St. Peter’s Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 763 reviews · 1 hour · from $57Our pick

Spend one hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a Baroque landmark built from 1701 to 1733. Hear Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, selections from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and works by Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert in the church’s atmospheric vaults. Arrive early for the best seat in your ticket section, and dress warmly.

“Lovely setting and beautiful atmosphere amazing musicians only complaint was how cold it was”

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2.Christmas Music Concert With Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 243 reviews · 1 hour · from $27Best value

Spend an hour with Krakow’s Royal Chamber Orchestra in the historic Dębiński tenement at Sławkowska 14. You’ll hear Christmas pieces, classical favorites, and Chopin in an intimate hall, with a glass of wine included. Expect talented musicians, an atmospheric old staircase, and a short concert that may last closer to 45 minutes than a full hour.

“Flawless performance from 4 talented musicians who appeared to enjoy their work. Bravo.”

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3.Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 155 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Spend about an hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a baroque landmark near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Expect a string quartet, Mozart and other classical favorites, assigned or category-based seating, and a beautiful but sometimes chilly church interior. Traditional Christmas songs are not guaranteed.

“This was a classical music concert with a string quartet in the amazingly beautiful St Peter’s Church in Vienna, a short walk from St Stephen’s Cathedral. The concert was an hourlong, with no introductions or programme which felt odd and we were packed in like sardines some in pews and some on chairs. The music and setting was beautiful and much enjoyed but felt it was a little disorganised and with a few tweaks would be much better.”

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4.Christmas/Advent Concert & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 154 reviews · from $93

Ride the funicular up Salzburg’s 900-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress, dine above the rooftops, and hear Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and Vivaldi performed by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Dinner starts at 6 pm and the concert at 8 pm on most dates. VIP seating and vegetarian meals are available.

“Great Dinner and concert a wonderful experience. must say the food was good and service fantastic. the concert most enjoyable. We had a great night out.”

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5.Christmas Concerts in Capuchin Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Spend an evening with classical music in Vienna’s intimate Capuchin Church, near the State Opera. Expect a string quartet, festive trumpet music, Christmas carols, and sometimes a soprano soloist. The optional combo ticket adds the Imperial Crypt, home to Habsburg tombs including Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph, and Sisi.

“This was a wonderful experience! We toured the crypt first and then listened to the amazing quartet. They were quite good, and watching them perform in the Capuchin Chapel was so intimate and very memorable. Our whole family thoroughly enjoyed it — a wonderful activity for a Vienna vacation!”

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6.Christmas/Advent Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 54 reviews · from $49

Ride the funicular from Festungsgasse to Fortress Hohensalzburg for a 90-minute Advent concert by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Expect Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Salzburg folk music in a decorated castle hall, with city views before the 8 pm performance. The ride up and down is included, but dinner, drinks, and pickup are not.

“Easy to get to as the funicular ride was included. Having booked it online 24 hours earlier, my tickets were waiting at the door on arrival. The castle was warm, atmosphere was beautiful with Christmas decorations up.”

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7.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Ride the included funicular to Fortress Hohensalzburg, dine in the Panorama Restaurant, then hear Mozart and seasonal Salzburg music in historic fortress rooms. Choose classic, VIP, or Golden VIP dining. The $102.02 price excludes drinks, and smart casual dress is expected.

“This really is a lovely experience from beginning to end. We bought the VIP ticket and started the evening with a journey up in the cable car to the restaurant. The food was very nice but be aware it is a set menu so might not be to everyone’s taste. I was expecting to have a choice so was lucky I liked what they provided. After 2.5 hours at dinner we went up into another part of the fortress for the Mozart concert which was fabulous .”

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8.St. Paul’s Within the Walls New Year’s Concert Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 35 reviews · from $39

Spend two hours at Rome's St. Paul's Within the Walls for a New Year's concert by I Virtuosi dell’opera di Roma. Hear soprano Ms. Testa, tenor Mr. Gentili, and baritone Mr. Utzeri perform opera, operetta, choruses, and waltzes. Choose a seating category, attend on New Year's Eve or January 1, and exchange your voucher before the concert.

“Excellent location to attend concerts. Very enjoyable. Singers were wonderful. The Bastogne could have used a microphone at times.”

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9.Christmas Concert at St. Martin in the Wall Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews

Spend 65 minutes in Prague’s Old Town hearing soprano Libuse Moravcova Myratska and tenor Josef Moravec with violin and organ soloists. The program includes Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Schubert, Massenet, Mascagni, and Czech and world carols. The church is heated, wheelchair accessible, and offers seating in two sections.

“Un très agréable concert dans une église sobre à la température tempérée. De belles performances musicales. Je recommande.”

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10.Festive Christmas Concert in the Zwinger

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 1h 30m · from $64Top rated

Spend 90 minutes with the Dresden Residenz Orchestra in the Zwinger’s historic Wallpavillon. Under Prof. Igor Malinovsky, the ensemble performs festive works by Bach, Mozart, and Vivaldi, along with famous waltzes and operetta melodies. Seating is freely chosen, and a drinks bar and cloakroom are available on site.

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11.New Year’s Eve Concert at the Zwinger

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews

Spend 90 minutes in the Wallpavillon of Dresden’s Zwinger with the Dresden Residenz Orchestra and selected soloists. Expect Strauss and Lehár waltzes, operetta melodies, free seating, a drinks bar, and a festive setting before the Theaterplatz fireworks. Arrive early for stairs, close seating, and the best choice of seats.

“Skøn nytårskoncert i de smukkeste omgivelse - alt fungerede fint, og information var oplevelsen var perfekt”

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12.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concerts at the Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51

At 8 pm, ride the included funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress for a 90-minute Mozart and Advent concert. Expect a small chamber ensemble, music by Mozart and his contemporaries, traditional Salzburg Advent pieces, city views, and time to explore the fortress before the performance. Smart casual dress is suitable.

“Magical to be at the fortress at night. Beautiful views. Music transported us to another time. Talented musicians.”

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13.Capuchins Crypt: Christmas Baroque Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $104

You’ll hear the Schola Romana Ensemble perform Roman Baroque Christmas music in the Capuchin Convent’s Hall, with an English program introduction. Choose an audioguide visit or a VIP art-historian tour of the Museum, Crypt, and possibly the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

“la explicación de guía sobre las catacumbas de los capuchinos y el concierto fue excelente la soprano es lo máximo.”

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14.Country Christmas Music Show at the Opry House

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 9 reviews · from $64

You’ll attend Opry Country Christmas at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, where artists such as Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery, Lady A, and Chris Janson perform holiday favorites. Your reserved seat gives you access to the one-day evening show. Food, drinks, and transportation are not included.

“The music, lights and scenery was wonderful. Wished we had better seats. My fault for ordering late. Beautiful show overall 🎄”

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15.Sydney Opera House New Year’s Eve Opera Gala

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $495

Attend Opera Australia’s New Year’s Eve Opera Gala at the Sydney Opera House. Hear arias by Verdi, Bizet, and Puccini with the Opera Australia Orchestra, then step outside during intermission for Sydney Harbour fireworks. Choose premium or reserve seating. The $495.05 ticket includes site entry but not food, drinks, or transport.

“Mind blowing...Lovely performance...The staff members of Opera house were very warm and welcoming as well:...Paashin :”

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