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Fanfare for Christmas
A Christmas concert at Harrogate's Royal Hall on Saturday 19 December 2026. Brighouse and Rastrick Band and Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Society perform seasonal music and carols, starting at 6pm.
What Fanfare for Christmas is
Fanfare for Christmas is an annual concert at the Royal Hall in Harrogate. The Brighouse and Rastrick Band, an award-winning brass band from West Yorkshire, plays alongside singers from Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Society. The programme mixes Christmas music with other pieces, and includes carols for the audience to sing. Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Society says it has held Christmas concerts with the band at the Royal Hall since 1986. The audience is mostly local families, brass band followers and people who like to start their Christmas season with live music.
Date and times
The concert is on Saturday 19 December 2026. Harrogate Theatre, which sells the tickets, lists a 6.00pm start and a running time of about 150 minutes, so expect it to finish at around 8.30pm. The band's own events page gives 6.30pm, so check your ticket for the time that applies.
Tickets and who it suits
It is open to everyone and suitable for all ages. Under-16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets range from £20 to £60, and the top price is for a box seating two. Boxes may have a restricted view. Under-16s and students pay £5. Tickets are sold by Harrogate Theatre on 01423 502116 or through the event page. The Royal Hall takes card and contactless payments only. The theatre's page also lists wheelchair and companion bookings by phone, plus captioned, relaxed, audio described and BSL interpreted labels, so ask the box office what applies to this date.
Getting to the Royal Hall
The Royal Hall is on Ripon Road, next to Harrogate Convention Centre. Harrogate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Convention Centre. LNER runs direct trains to London King's Cross roughly hourly, and Leeds is about 35 minutes away by train. Leeds Bradford Airport is about 30 minutes by taxi. The Convention Centre lists more than 1,200 car parking spaces in the town centre. The Saturday before Christmas is busy, so allow extra time if you are driving.
Book early and stay close by
This is a single-night event in the weeks before Christmas, and Harrogate fills up with shoppers and visitors at that time. Booking tickets and somewhere to stay early gives you the most choice. We are a small family-run company with serviced apartments and townhouses in central Harrogate, many a short walk from the Royal Hall. A flat with a kitchen suits a family or a group travelling together, and you can walk back after the concert without needing a taxi.
After the concert
With a finish at around 8.30pm, you can still have dinner in town. Harrogate has plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the Royal Hall, and it is worth booking a table in advance for that Saturday. If you are staying over, the Turkish Baths in Harrogate are a quieter option the next morning. Check their opening times and booking rules before you go.
Staying for this event?
Your base in Harrogate, a short walk from the venue
A festive night out: pair it with Christmas shopping and the lights in town over a weekend stay.
See available homesCentral and walkable
Our homes are spread across central Harrogate, many within a short walk of the Convention Centre, the Royal Hall and the station.
Room for the whole team
Apartments and townhouses that sleep groups, often better value than booking several hotel rooms for exhibitors or delegates.
Book direct, best rate
Self check-in for late arrivals, fast Wi-Fi and a local team on hand. Rated 4.9 from 1,500+ five-star reviews.
Getting there
Harrogate station is in the town centre, with direct trains to London King's Cross roughly every hour and to Leeds in about 35 minutes. The Convention Centre is around a ten-minute walk from the station.
Book early
Big shows and conferences fill the town quickly, especially multi-day trade fairs. Book your stay as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Make a night of it
After the event, Harrogate's restaurants, bars and Turkish Baths are on the doorstep. See our local guide for where we eat and drink.
More events in Harrogate
See what's onQuestions people ask
Where should I stay for Fanfare for Christmas?
Anywhere in central Harrogate keeps you within walking distance of the Royal Hall. Short Stay Harrogate has serviced apartments and townhouses in the centre, many a short walk from the Convention Centre and the Royal Hall. They suit families and groups who want more space than a hotel room. Book early, as the weekend before Christmas is busy.
Is Fanfare for Christmas open to the public?
Yes. It is a ticketed public concert, suitable for all ages. Under-16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
What time does the concert start and how long is it?
Harrogate Theatre and Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Society give a 6.00pm start on Saturday 19 December 2026, with a running time of about 150 minutes. Brighouse and Rastrick's own events page shows 6.30pm, so check your ticket.
How much are tickets and where do I buy them?
Tickets cost £20 to £60, and the top price is for a box seating two. Boxes may have a restricted view. Under-16s and students pay £5. Book through Harrogate Theatre on 01423 502116, at boxoffice@harrogatetheatre.co.uk, or on the theatre's event page. The Royal Hall takes card and contactless payments only.
Who is performing?
Brighouse and Rastrick Band, an award-winning brass band from West Yorkshire, performs with singers from Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Society. The programme includes Christmas music and carols for the audience to sing.
How do I get to the Royal Hall by train?
Harrogate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Convention Centre. LNER runs direct trains to London King's Cross roughly hourly, and Leeds is about 35 minutes away.
