The Freemasons have announced details of their Christmas Concert series for 2021, which will take place on Saturdays during December.

The first concert will take place Saturday 4 December at 7:30pm. The audience will be treated to a candlelit performance of Handel’s Messiah, including the famous Hallelujah Chorus, performed with full choir, organ and orchestra. The oratorio is a firm Christmas favourite of the Belmont Ensemble of London and Trafalgar Sinfonia, which will be delivering the performance.

On 11 December at 5pm, the whole family can enjoy ‘Children’s Carols by Candlelight’. Classic Christmas carols will be performed on the night by a full choir with organ and the audience will be highly encouraged to participate. Christmas favourites will include Away in a Manger, Ding Dong Merrily on High, We wish you a Merry Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Jingle Bells and many more.

Later the same day, at 7:30pm, guests will enjoy ‘Carols by Candlelight’ for adults, featuring many of the same classic festive songs.

The following week, the audience will be treated to ‘Children’s Christmas with The English Chamber Choir’, which takes place on Saturday 18 December at 5pm. The acclaimed English Chamber Choir will perform classic numbers including Once in Royal David’s City, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Jingle Bells and White Christmas.

The event aims to showcase the magnificent Willis Pipe Organ, which resides in the majestic Grand Temple in Freemasons’ Hall, London – an art deco masterpiece completed in 1933.

The last two concerts will take place on 18 and 19 December.

On Saturday 18 December at 7:30pm, the audience will enjoy ‘Christmas with The English Chamber Choir’, following on from the earlier children’s performance at 5pm the same day. Then on Sunday 19 December at 5pm and 7:30pm, the special final concert will see Belmont Ensemble of London and Trafalgar Sinfonia performing ‘Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons (Highlights) by Candlelight’, and Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.

The Bar at Freemasons’ Hall will be spreading Christmas cheer with mulled wine and mince pies available to purchase, in addition to their regular selection of beer, wine and spirits.

Dr David Staples, chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), commented: “The country has faced two national lockdowns in the past year, which have left many feeling isolated and lonely. We are glad to open our doors again for the Christmas Concert season. It’s a great pleasure to spread some early Christmas cheer with concerts to bring music and joy. During the performances, the audience will also have the opportunity to appreciate some of the stunning architecture of our headquarters here in London.”

Freemasons’ Hall was designed as a pentagon to suit the irregular area in which it is located. Built in the central courtyard of the splendid art deco building, the Grand Temple is rich in multicoloured details of blue, gold and white. Inside the Grand Temple, visitors cannot miss the majestic 1.25-tonne organ with its ornate pipes, golden thrones and sturdy bronze doors, each measuring 3.6m by 1.2m.

The original organ was installed in 1933 by Henry Willis, the third generation of an extended family of organ builders. It originally had three manuals and 43 stops, giving a total complement of some 2,220 pipes, and was the last big organ built by the Willis firm. After 80 years, it was in need of a complete renovation and this was carried out in Durham by Harrison & Harrison, who designed the new case above the console to house a further six stops (approximately 400 pipes) and enhance its sound.