The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, conducted by Michael Bawtree, performs Handel's Messiah at the Usher Hall, marking the choir's 139th New Year Messiah.
The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union bring Handel's Messiah to Usher Hall on Saturday 2 January 2027, at 12 noon. It's a midday concert, so you'll be out well before dark, and it's the first performance of the Union's 2027 season. Michael Bawtree conducts.
For the choir, this is a long-standing city tradition: performing Messiah at the Usher Hall to welcome the New Year. This particular concert marks the 139th time they've brought the work to that stage, so it's a fixture of the Edinburgh choral calendar rather than a one-off. The Union is one of the city's leading choral companies, a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland and a Scottish charity.
It's also the start of a full season for them. Later in the year, they'll be back with a Beethoven 200 concert and a Haydn programme, so if you're into choral music, this is the first of several dates to keep on the radar. One thing that sets this one apart from a standard concert: audiences are welcome to bring a picnic, though alcohol isn't permitted inside. It's a nice touch for a midday show, especially when you're coming in from the January cold.
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Tickets start from £20.70, which includes a 10% per-ticket booking fee. The listed prices are £46.20, £38.50, £29.70, £24.20, and £18.70, so there's a fair range to choose from. There's a non-refundable £2 fee on telephone and online bookings. The concert is at 12 noon on Saturday 2 January at Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EA.
