Swing Into Christmas
18 December @ 7.30pm to 10.15pm
About Swing Into Christmas with Down for the Count Orchestra
Celebrate the festive season in style with the sensational Down for the Count Swing Orchestra, as they Swing Into Christmas!
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 uniquely joyful and engaging performance which has endeared the ensemble to audiences up and down the country.
Audiences of all ages will be captivated by stunning performances 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 2026 show – all performed in authentic big-band-with-strings style.
The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra are one of the UK’s most highly regarded vintage ensembles, having sold out numerous shows at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The London Jazz Festival, Cadogan Hall and more. It may be cold outside, but a night with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra is guaranteed to leave you in the warm glow of the holiday spirit.
Programme includes:
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
New York, New York
…plus many more!
Watch the trailer
Reviews
“Awesome!”
Michael Bublé
“A sonic ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s”
DownBeat Magazine
“A potential rival to the John Wilson Orchestra”
Jazzwise Magazine
“A breath of fresh air on the swing scene”
Twinwood Festival
“A truly magical evening! Amazing orchestra, brilliant arrangements and fantastic singing!”
Audience member
“A truly heart-warming and joy-filled experience.”
Reader’s Digest
“We were blown away. Such a fabulous evening’s entertainment!”
Audience member
“The orchestra were immaculate, the sound was awesome.”
Audience member
“Down for the Count are now firmly on our gig calendar!”
Audience member
“The whole show was almost faultless.”
Liverpool Echo
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Prices: £15.00 to £40.00
Location:
This event takes place at The Olivier Hall, on the site of St Edward’s School in Oxford (OX2 7NN). The auditorium will open 30 minutes before the concert start time.
Running time:
2 hours 45 minutes, including one 20 minute interval.
Age guidance:
Suitable for ages 7+
Wheelchair/accessible spaces:
To book a wheelchair seat, kindly contact Mike on 07855 488 462 or by email to mike@downforthecount.co.uk.
Car parking:
You are strongly encouraged to use Oxford’s excellent Park & Ride service to attend this event. There is a bus stop for Pear Tree Park & Ride outside the school entrance, with regular buses to and from the car park until midnight (route 300).
There is also on-street parking close to the venue, which is free in the evenings.
Please note that the only parking on the school grounds is for customers with mobility issues. Kindly contact the organisers if you would like to park in the closest spaces to the venue.
Bar:
There will be a bar open in the foyer from 7.00pm serving beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee.
Gallery
