Swing Into Christmas with Down for the Count Swing Orchestra: Newcastle 2025

Celebrate the festive season in style with the sensational Down for the Count Swing Orchestra as they return Newcastle Cathedral for their annual festive extravaganza Swing Into Christmas!

Following the huge success of their inaugural Newcastle performance in 2024, the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra are delighted to be returning to Newcastle in 2025 and bringing their show to the spectacular Newcastle Cathedral. The 2025 show will include improved staging and PA so that you can enjoy even more of the action in this incredible space. 

Important notice for all ticket holders

There are two types of tickets available for this event:

• General Admission tickets are for the two areas of unreserved seating in the North Aisle and South Aisle (shown in pink on the picture below). These seats cannot be reserved in advance, and are available on the evening on a first-come, first-served basis once concert doors open at 6.45pm. Some seats in these areas of the Cathedral have restricted views of the stage, so we kindly suggest that you arrive when doors open at 6.45pm to have the largest choice from the available seats.
• Reserved seating is available in the central nave (shown in green on the picture below). Your ticket will show your seat selection and your seat will be reserved for you.

Please be aware that the cathedral is a historic building and therefore has uneven floor surfaces, so appropriate footwear is advised at the event. The Cathedral is heated but is a large space, so we do recommend dressing in warm clothes.

About the event

This is a Christmas spectacular like no other – Down for the Count’s 30-piece big band with strings is one of the largest swing bands currently touring the UK. Directed by conductor and compère Mike Paul-Smith and featuring some of the UK’s top vocalists and instrumentalists, the orchestra recreates the sounds of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday in a unique performance full of joy and humour, which has won the hearts of music lovers up and down the country.

Audiences of all ages will be captivated by vibrant takes of iconic songs, including The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting), I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and New York, New York, alongside many fantastic new song selections for the 2025 show – all performed in authentic big-band-with-strings style.

The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra is one of the UK's most highly-regarded vintage ensembles, having sold out shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, The London Jazz Festival, Cadogan Hall, and many other prestigious venues.

It may be cold outside, but a night with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra is guaranteed to leave you and the whole family in the warm glow of the holiday spirit!

The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra

Mike Paul-Smith Conductor
plus vocalists to be announced

Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes including one 25 minute interval
The auditorium will open 45 minutes before the concert start time.

Praise for the show:

“Awesome!” Michael Bublé
“A sonic ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s” DownBeat Magazine
“A breath of fresh air on the swing scene” Twinwood Festival

Frequently asked questions

I have limited mobility; which seats should I book?

There is level access to all seats. Customers with limited mobility requiring level access should therefore access the Cathedral via the East entrance. There is more information about the accessibility of the Cathedral here.

Can I reserve a wheelchair space?

Please phone Mike on 07855 488 462 or mike@downforthecount.co.uk if you require a wheelchair space.

Is there parking at the venue?

The nearest major public car park can be found on Dean Street. There are numerous other parking facilities, including multi-storey facilities and 47 surface car parks operated by Newcastle City Council. Please refer to the Newcastle City Council website for more information.

Is there a bar at the venue?

There will be a bar in the Cathedral's refectory serving alcoholic and soft drinks, from 6.45pm until the end of the interval.