The Unthanks In Winter
- Date
- 11 December, 2026
- Start time:
- 19:30
- Venue Name
- Cambridge Corn Exchange
Description
Described as ‘the gold standard’ of all winter records alongside Frost and Fire by The Watersons in a five star review from the Times, The Unthanks In Winter is a dream-like winter fantasia, embracing both the dark and the light in the most ritualistic of seasons. Moving in and out of focus, like a memory, In Winter is a bittersweet hymnal to our shared winter experience. It’s an extensive, completist time-capsule of the season, featuring Christmas tunes known throughout the world from multiple cultures, mixed with the traditional and the newly written, all passed with great care and love through The Unthanks filter.
In Winter has been described as “an artful triumph” (Songlines), “a massive statement” (Klof), “the definitive folk album for winter” (TradFolk), “the essence of winter in all its emotional complexity” (Fatea), “an absolute gem and one of the finest albums the Unthanks have given us yet” (Narc), “truly beautiful music, full of winter chill and familial warmth“ (Buzz), “As breathtaking as freezing air” (The Telegraph), “a rare beast that transcends the notion of a Christmas album” (Silent Radio), “the familiar made strange (The Wire) and “a timeless celebration of winter. One of the few albums of its type to transcend its limited purpose.” (Record Collector).
In their typical magpie style, The Unthanks collect and reimagine, at once unique and familiar, inventive but natural and effortless. Hear a Tyneside band playing a German Christmas song in the style of The Beach Boys; a Spanish carol performed by English
folkies through the filter of Tom Waits; a French carol given desert-blues menace, a newly written tribute to the NHS to the tune of O Holy Night; a wintry opening piece inspired by A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten; traditional wassails and old
stories coloured with folk noir and traces of Vincent Guaraldi’s Merry Christmas Charlie Brown.
In Winter is a world in itself, capturing the warmth and nostalgia of the festive season, the chill and darkness of the winter months, and the reflective ritualisms of the turn of the year; the end and beginning of the circle of life.
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!“WRAP UP WARMLY FOR AN ARTFUL TRIUMPH”
“While the gold standard remains The Watersons’ 1965 classic Frost and Fire, this album is beautiful, atmospheric and profound enough to take its place alongside it”
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.