Swing Into Christmas 2026 with Down for the Count Swing Orchestra
- Date
- 21 December, 2026
- Start time:
- 19:30
- Venue Name
- Cambridge Corn Exchange
Description
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the 30-piece Down for the Count Swing Orchestra returns with its much-loved annual seasonal treat, Swing Into Christmas! Gather your loved ones for a joyful set of festive and non-festive classics as you’ve never experienced them before.
This is a Christmas spectacular like no other – the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra 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 acclaimed “big band with strings” recreates the sounds of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland in a unique extravaganza of music, stories and on-stage camaraderie which has endeared the ensemble to audiences up and down the country year after year.
Audiences of all ages will be captivated by fresh arrangements of iconic songs such as Let It Snow, This Christmas, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and New York, New York alongside many other favourites – 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 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.
Market House
Mix and match between vibrant British and Asian menus at Market House — one of Cambridge’s favourite independent eateries, just minutes from the Corn Exchange.
Book your table for a pre-show meal!Accessibility Information
If you would like to book accessible seating, your account with the Cambridge Corn Exchange must have a tag applied to it. Please email tickets@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 357851 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)* to request we add this tag to your account. Please read our access document in advance of booking to ensure the tickets you book are the most suitable.
Access to the box office
The Box Office for the Corn Exchange is called Cambridge Live Tickets and is located left of the venue, two doors down (next to the restaurant Steak & Honour.)
The Cambridge Live Tickets Box Office is currently closed, however, when there is a performance taking place the Box Office opens at 6pm (or an hour before a matinee starts) and closes half an hour after the start time (or until 9pm for standing performance.)
Here is a summary of Box Office features:
- Lowered kerb providing level access
- Automatic sliding doors to Box Office
- Large print seating plans
- A lowered counter
- An induction loop
- Wi-Fi
Audio Loop
There is an infra-red hearing enhancement system which can be used either with, or without a hearing aid. The system only works in the auditorium and balcony. The headphones and receiver can be obtained from the steward at the Customer Services Desk. No deposit is required but the stewards will ask for your name and seat number” There are 6 sets available which consist of, a headset, receiver and neck loop. There are certain areas within the auditorium where the system doesn’t work:- Rows S to Z, seats 1 to 8 (House Right), at the rear of the auditorium. Rows XF to XK Rows O to R, seats 1 to 4 Using the system with a hearing aid Headphones are attached to the receiver and then worn in a similar fashion to a personal stereo. For those customers with hearing aids without a T setting, we suggest using this system with headphones but removing your hearing aid whilst inside the auditorium. The loop should be placed around the customer’s neck and attached to the receiver. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver. Using the system without a hearing aid The headphones should be attached to the receiver and worn in similar fashion to a personal stereo. The receiver should remain uncovered at all times, in order to pick up the signal. They can use channels 0 - 4 to receive the sound. The volume can be controlled on the receiver.
Wheelchair Access
Level Access and Automatic Doors (or No Doors)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at our venue.