Keep the change, ya filthy animal: the Christmas classic is getting a suitably enormous live soundtrack in Derby and Nottingham
There are Christmas films, and then there’s Home Alone.
For plenty of us, Christmas hasn’t really started until Kevin McCallister has been accidentally abandoned by his family, ordered an enormous cheese pizza and begun constructing a frankly alarming collection of homemade booby traps.
And this December, East Midlands audiences can experience the festive favourite in a rather more spectacular way.
Home Alone in Concert is heading to Vaillant Live in Derby on Thursday, December 10, before arriving at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on Monday, December 21. And no, this isn’t just another festive cinema screening.
The 1990 film will play on a huge screen while John Williams’ much-loved score is performed live by an orchestra and choir.
So expect Kevin, the Wet Bandits, the paint cans, the aftershave scream and that tarantula scene, only this time accompanied by some serious live musical firepower.
A Christmas soundtrack that’s bigger than you remember
It’s easy to forget just how important the music is to Home Alone.
The film’s score was written by legendary composer John Williams, and hearing it performed live promises to turn a movie plenty of us have watched dozens of times into something altogether more cinematic.
The orchestra will perform the score in sync with the film, alongside a live choir, including the memorable “O Holy Night” sequence.
In other words, you can still enjoy Macaulay Culkin tormenting two burglars for nearly two hours, but now it all feels very classy.
When is Home Alone in Concert coming to Derby?
The first East Midlands date takes place at Vaillant Live in Derby on Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Doors open at 6.30pm, with the show beginning at 7.30pm. The film carries a PG certificate and under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.
The Colyear Street venue also has premium packages available for the performance, including its Live Lounge options. [vaillantlive.co.uk]
And when is it coming to Nottingham?
Home Alone in Concert then heads to Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on Monday, December 21, 2026, which is conveniently close enough to Christmas for anyone already deep into the mince pies and wondering what day of the week it is.
The performance starts at 7pm, with doors opening at 6pm.
Tickets are currently listed between £31 and £71.50, depending on where you sit. Under-14s must again be accompanied by someone aged 18 or over.
Basically, it’s Home Alone turned up to 11
There is something particularly appealing about watching a film you’ve known since childhood with dozens of musicians performing its soundtrack metres away.
And Home Alone is an especially good candidate for it. Beneath all the burglars being hit in the face with household objects, John Williams’ score is a huge part of what makes the film feel so Christmassy.
Add a live choir, a cinema-sized screen and a packed concert hall three or four days before Christmas, and this could be one of the East Midlands’ more nostalgic festive nights out this year.
Just maybe don’t let it inspire you to leave an eight-year-old at home while you fly to Paris.
Home Alone in Concert: East Midlands dates
Derby
Vaillant Live
Thursday, December 10, 2026
Doors: 6.30pm | Show: 7.30pm [vaillantlive.co.uk]
Nottingham
Royal Concert Hall
Monday, December 21, 2026
Doors: 6pm | Show: 7pm
Tickets: £31 to £71.50 [trch.co.uk]
Both performances are rated PG, with under-14s required to attend with an adult.
