Wembley Park presents: ‘Christmas Unwrapped’ with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at BOXPARK Wembley
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is back at BOXPARK Wembley on Saturday 12 December 2026 for two Christmas concerts: a family show at 11.30am and an evening concert at 7pm. Tickets start at £5, and children who are RPO Brent Members go free.
Wembley Park, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and BOXPARK Wembley are teaming up again this Christmas, this time for two festive concerts on Saturday 12 December 2026. Tickets start from £5, and children who are RPO Brent Members go free.
Last year’s Christmas concert sold out, so this year there’s a second show, just for families. The Great Elf Takeover is a morning of music and storytelling for children up to 11. Christmas Unwrapped is an evening of festive favourites, open to all. At both, a 50-piece orchestra brings festive tales and symphonic sparkle to London’s largest BOXPARK, on Olympic Way.
The Great Elf Takeover - 11.30am
One elf, one Christmas Eve deadline and one brilliant orchestra. Santa’s workshop comes alive with music as conductor Stephen Bell and vocalist, clarinettist, composer and presenter Aga Serugo-Lugo lead musicians from the RPO through the story of the elf who builds the best bikes, and the friends who help him save Christmas.
Listen out for jingling sleigh bells, a sprinkling of snow and a magical flight across the night sky. It’s an hour of music for little ones and grown-ups alike. Stay for lunch at BOXPARK Wembley afterwards and make a day of it.
Christmas Unwrapped - 7pm
As night falls, the grown-ups get their turn. Stephen Bell returns to conduct an evening of Christmas classics and feel-good singalongs. He’s joined by Katie Birtill, an international concert soloist, jazz singer and regular RPO performer, and Lance Ellington, known to millions from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The programme covers more than a century of Christmas music, all specially arranged for orchestra. It runs from the Overture to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker to Wham!’s Last Christmas, by way of It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Winter Wonderland, Driving Home for Christmas and All I Want for Christmas Is You. It ends with an audience singalong to The Twelve Days of Christmas.
It’s the most festive night out in Wembley Park this December, and the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit with friends and family.
Claudio Giambrone, Head of Cultural Programming at Wembley Park, said: “Christmas is a time to come together and we are proud to once again be collaborating across the neighbourhood to deliver these magical festive concerts. We’re committed to making culture accessible to everyone and warmly welcome Wembley Park residents and visitors alike to Christmas with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at BOXPARK Wembley.”
Sarah Bardwell, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “It’s wonderful to be working with BOXPARK Wembley and Wembley Park again this year, and to be able to present two festive concerts in Brent, following last year’s success. The Orchestra is proud to have made Brent its home, and the musicians are always delighted to perform here whenever we can. We’re pleased to be able to offer RPO Brent Members £5 tickets for performances in our various venues across London, but there’s something extra special about having these concerts on their doorstep.”
David Byrne, Head of Events & Marketing at BOXPARK, said: “We’re really excited to work together for the second year in a row, building on what was delivered last time in this progressive cultural partnership. It’s becoming a beautiful tradition within our Christmas programme at BOXPARK and one we hope continues to bring that Christmas magic to the neighbourhood, attracting locals and visitors alike.”
Timings
The Great Elf Takeover
Doors open at 11am and the concert starts at 11.30am. It runs for about an hour. It’s recommended for ages up to 11, but everyone is welcome.
Christmas Unwrapped
Doors open at 6pm. The concert runs from 7pm until about 9pm, followed by a free Christmas DJ takeover that’s open to everyone.
BOXPARK Wembley’s 20+ street food vendors and bars are open before and after both performances.
Pricing and Accessibility
The Great Elf Takeover: Adults £10, children £5. RPO Brent Members: adults £5, children free.
Christmas Unwrapped: Adults £15, children £7.50. RPO Brent Members: adults £5, children free (up to 2 adults and 2 children).
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Both concerts are standing events. The venue is wheelchair-friendly and has a limited number of accessible seats.
