21/10/2025
The radiance of Advent
Winter travels: concerts, lights and favourite places in European cities
For many of us, Advent is a time of candlelight, mulled wine and familiar rituals. What touches me during Advent is not just the lights and markets, but the mix of music and quiet moments. Music has the power to instantly put us in a special mood. I remember a concert at Selfridges in London, surrounded by sparkling shop windows and the Christmas hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. The band ‘Kyra’ (formerly Harrow Gospel Choir) sang a Christmas medley in the department store that could be heard across many floors.
The music gave me goosebumps. For a moment, everything seemed different: people looked at each other and shared the feeling that something special was beginning here.
I take this feeling, this mood, with me every year into Advent. And by the way, these are exactly the kinds of places and experiences we at Music Travel Hideaways seek out for our guests.
Advent in Gdańsk
Gdańsk surprises visitors during Advent with a mixture of maritime flair and festive atmosphere. The Christmas market in the historic old town is considered one of the most beautiful in Poland. Music fans should make a detour to Oliwa: Oliwa Cathedral hosts short daily organ recitals that showcase the historic organ in impressive fashion.
Advent in Stockholm
Anyone who has ever experienced Advent in Sweden knows how important light is. In Stockholm, the Lucia festival on 13 December is part of this, with choirs dressed in white and singing traditional songs. The Lucia concerts in Storkyrkan in Gamla Stan and in the Skansen open-air museum, where open-air performances often take place, are particularly atmospheric. After the concert, a ‘fika’ with lussekatter and pepparkakor (saffron buns and gingerbread) is a must, preferably in a traditional bakery nearby.
Advent in London
For me, London is the epitome of cosmopolitan Advent spirit. Everything here is bigger, more colourful and more contrasting, from the festively decorated streets to the musical highlights.
My tip for this winter: the new David Bowie Centre at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford. David Bowie's archive, comprising around 90,000 objects, is on display there. Admission is free with a time slot ticket. A peaceful, inspiring contrast to the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle, easily accessible from the city centre via the Elizabeth Line.
Near Fortnum & Mason, the traditional delicatessen and department store, it is worth taking a detour to St James's Church, Piccadilly. Here, at 1 p.m. every day, there are free lunchtime recitals, often featuring musicians from the Royal College of Music.
Experience Advent more consciously
Whether in Gdańsk, Stockholm, London or other destinations such as Merano and Noordwijk... music and travel open up new perspectives on Advent. It's not about cramming even more appointments into your calendar, but about pausing, enjoying and recharging your batteries. This is precisely the balance we want to offer our guests: inspiring experiences, special places and music.
Perhaps it is this combination of travel and music that makes Advent so magical. We invite you to experience this magic with us on one of our Advent trips.
If you would like to find out more, our Music & Culture Travel Guides are published first in our newsletter. The recommendations are free of charge and useful for your next trip.
