Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with John Foreman AM and the Australian Pops Orchestra as they bring the joy and sparkle of the holiday season to the Melbourne Recital Centre this December with their spectacular Holiday Concerts. With four star-studded shows featuring some of Australia’s most celebrated performers, it’s the ultimate way to celebrate the festive season and ring in the New Year.
This dazzling concert series will feature the magnificent Pops orchestra, timeless Christmas favourites, Broadway classics, glorious orchestral arrangements, and uplifting performances designed to delight audiences of all ages. Under the direction of the celebrated maestro, the Australian Pops Orchestra will fill the stage with festive cheer, stunning musicianship, and heart-warming holiday magic.
This brand-new festival is bursting with festive cheer, musical brilliance and the most incredible Australian talent.
The Great Christmas Singalong will get the festive season started with the perfect mix of traditional and modern carols where audience will have the chance to sing along with the incredible Silvie Paladino, Australia’s powerhouse diva with a voice that can move hearts and lift spirits.
The Sang at Carnegie Hall will feature critically acclaimed songstress Bernadette Robinson presenting an unforgettable homage to the world’s greatest female singers, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland and more, channelling the very spirit of each iconic performer, bringing the magic of New York’s famed Carnegie Hall to Melbourne.
The Idols of Musical Theatre will star our very own Australian Idols, powerhouse vocalist Casey Donovan, the charismatic Rob Mills and soul diva Paulini as they bring the best of Broadway to life! Joined by Foreman, the original musical director of Australian Idol, this star-studded show will pay tribute to the songs they’ve each performed on musical theatre stages, as well as the dream roles they’d love to take on.
New Year’s Eve and The Day Before Gala Concerts will see in 2026 with a mix of Broadway classics, orchestral favourites, and outstanding Australian talent. The concerts, which are celebrating a 45-year Australian Pops Orchestra tradition, will feature icon of Australian stage and song Marina Prior, beloved romantic comedy leading lady, Lucy Durack, with one of Australia’s most distinguished voices, Helpmann Award winner Simon Gleeson. They will also be joined by the sensational Dana Jolly Dancers, for a concert packed with your favourite music, dazzling artistry, and joyful energy.
Foreman is one of Australia’s most versatile and accomplished conductors, musical directors, pianists and composers, renowned for his work across television, stage and live performance. He’s the man behind many of the biggest events in Australian entertainment.
He was Bert Newton’s Musical Director on Good Morning Australia for over 12 years before joining the original Australian Idol as musical director in 2003. Foreman is musical director for Channel Nine’s Carols by Candlelight and was musical director of the TV Week Logie Awards for over ten years and he also hosts the Australia Day Live concert at Sydney Opera House.
Foreman has become a household name synonymous with musical excellence and has worked with countless singers both in the studio and on stage and written and produced award winning songs for artists like Anthony Callea, Guy Sebastian, Marcia Hines, Ricki-Lee and Silvie Paladino. He also wrote The Flame, performed by Tina Arena at the Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony.
In 2023, Foreman was appointed Chair of the National Australia Day Council and 2024 was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts, particularly music, and to the community.
He has been running the Australian Pops Orchestra since 2019 and this year with his signature flair for combining world-class musicianship and audience connection, whilst also promoting and producing the events, he brings together a dazzling line-up of stars for the spectacular new Holiday Concerts series at Melbourne Recital Centre.
Foreman says:
“Music has always been about bringing people together and celebrating with friends, and that’s especially true at this time of year. With the Australian Pops Orchestra, I wanted to create concerts that celebrate the joy of the holidays, the thrill of live performance, and the incredible talent we have in this country.
What better way to celebrate the season than with some of Australia’s finest voices and the full Australian Pops Orchestra filling the stage with festive cheer? From the incredible Silvie Paladino and Bernadette Robinson, to Casey Donovan, Rob Mills, Paulini, and the glamour of Marina Prior, Lucy Durack and Simon Gleeson these concerts are truly a gift to Melbourne audiences and a great chance to experience the fun and camaraderie coming from the artists and musicians on stage. These friendships all go back decades, so these concerts are going to be joyful, uplifting and a whole lot of fun!”
Across four unique concerts, a 40-piece orchestra with soaring orchestral arrangements, timeless holiday songs and classics, and unforgettable guest stars, the Holiday Concerts series is a festive tradition in the making — the perfect way to create unforgettable memories and mark the end of the year with family and friends.
Pre-sale starts Wednesday 8 October. General tickets on sale Friday 10 October. For more information and tickets via apoconcerts.com
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SINGALONG
STARRING SILVIE PALADINO
DECEMBER 20
THE SANG AT CARNEGIE HALL
STARRING BERNADETTE ROBINSON
DECEMBER 22 & 23
THE IDOLS OF MUSICAL THEATRE STARRING
CASEY DONOVAN, ROB MILLS & PAULINI
DECEMBER 27 & 28
NEW YEAR’S EVE & THE DAY BEFORE GALA CONCERTS
STARRING MARINA PRIOR, LUCY DURACK & SIMON GLEESON
DECEMBER 30 & 31
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 