From Shaun the Sheep to ABC Radio's Friday Revue, Melbourne Recital Centre is going festive in December.
Christmas comes to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at Melbourne Recital Centre this December. With its unmatched acoustics and visual magnificence, the 1000-seat auditorium offers high production value and intimate atmospherics.
A cappella quintet The Idea of North will unite with the Young Voices of Melbourne for a night of Christmas sing-alongs; the Darebin City Brass Band will perform a live score to the modern classic claymation Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas; and ABC Radio hosts Jacinta Parsons and Brian Nankervis are inviting a bunch of VIP friends along for a festive Friday Revue.
If you’re keen to see the year out in style, Melbourne Recital Centre has you covered.
Check out our gig guide here.
The Idea of North
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- 10 Dec
- Tickets here
The Idea of North have a number of badges proudly sewn onto their collective uniform. Formed in Canberra in the early 90s, the harmony-loving quintet are not only Australia’s longest-running and most widely recognised contemporary vocal group, but they’re also the most-decorated. The a capella group have won two ARIA awards for best jazz album and taken home five awards at the US-based Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards.
The Idea of North will bring their Silver Stars Christmas tour to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall a couple of weeks before the big day. To help spread the Christmas cheer, they’re teaming up with the Young Voices of Melbourne choir for a repertoire of soulful carols, jazz standards and pop ballads, performed completely live with nothing but human voices.
Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
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- 11 – 12 Dec
- Tickets here
Darebin City Brass Band will be performing a live and dynamic soundtrack to the beloved children’s stop-motion animation film, Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, over two evenings in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall.
Shaun the Sheep follows the titular sheep and the flock he leads on Mossy Bottom Farm. The TV show was conceived by Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, with Shaun originally appearing in the Wallace & Gromit film, A Close Shave. In the festive film, The Flight Before Christmas, Shaun is trying to save his cousin Timmy, a little lamb, who is at risk of being gifted to someone for Christmas.
The film’s action-packed plot will become even more thrilling and amusing thanks to the live brass band accompaniment.
The Friday Revue’s Yippee-Ki Yay, It’s Friday
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- 12 Dec
- Tickets here
I’ll tell you who loves a party: hosts of ABC Radio Melbourne’s The Friday Revue, Jacinta Parsons and Brian Nankervis. Every Friday afternoon, the pair spend two-and-a-half hours dissecting the sounds, news stories and cultural trends that shaped the week. It’s fun and light-hearted, with a side of razor-sharp insight and a dash of belly laughter.
For their final Friday broadcast of the year, Jacinta and Brian are bringing the LOLs and music to the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. They’ll be joined by a bunch of guest commentators and a few live music acts for a cheerier-than-usual Friday Revue.
New Year’s Eve & The Day Before Gala Concerts
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- 30-31 Dec
- Tickets: here
Presented by John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra, these New Year’s Eve & The Day Before Gala Concerts deliver the perfect celebration to welcome 2026.
The shows feature an extraordinary lineup including music theatre legend Marina Prior, beloved star Lucy Durack, and acclaimed international tenor Simon Gleeson. Under John Foreman’s direction, the 40-piece Australian Pops Orchestra joins forces with the Dana Jolly Dancers for an evening of Broadway showstoppers, orchestral classics, and pure festive magic.
Expect dazzling performances, spectacular vocals, and an atmosphere brimming with joy and celebration. Those attending the 8pm New Year’s Eve performance have the option to upgrade to the Fireworks After-Party; an exclusive gathering featuring drinks, canapes, and spectacular views of Melbourne’s midnight fireworks from Elisabeth Murdoch Hall’s upper foyers.
For more information, head here.
