If you’ve been looking for the ultimate way to get into the festive spirit, then the upcoming Drakensberg Boys Choir’s 2026 Noël Tour could very well be the magic your family needs this holiday season!
Johannesburg, South Africa (29 October 2026) – As the festive season approaches, the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir is getting ready to fill concert halls and churches across South Africa with the unmistakable magic of Christmas!
Blending timeless carols with the infectious rhythms of African music and modern festive favourites, the choir’s much-loved 2026 Noël Tour, fittingly titled The Light Has Come, promises an uplifting musical experience for the whole family.
“For many families, Christmas is a time to reconnect, reflect and celebrate what matters most,” says Hendrik Bekker, Executive Head of the Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS).
“That’s what makes our Noël Tour so special. It’s about much more than beautiful music. It’s about creating moments families can share, reminding us of the hope Christmas brings and leaving audiences with a little more joy in their hearts.”
Running from 20 to 29 November 2026, the tour will feature eight live performances across Bethlehem, Pretoria, Johannesburg, and the Western Cape.
This year’s theme, The Light Has Come, draws inspiration from the birth of Christ and the message of hope, peace, and joy at the heart of the season. Following up on 2025’s The Promise of Light, this year’s programme celebrates the arrival of that light and its special power to bring people together.
Expect a Musical Journey from Wonder to Celebration!
“The 2026 Noël programme takes audiences on a two-part musical journey, moving from the mystery and stillness of Christmas to an exuberant celebration of the season,” says Jacques Linde, Head of Choral Activity at Drakensberg Boys Choir School and the choir’s conductor.
Part I: The Mystery of Light explores the wonder of Christ’s birth through sacred choral masterpieces and traditional carols. Highlights include Once in Royal David’s City, Karl Jenkins’ From Our Earth from Stella Natalis, Arvo Pärt’s Bogoróditse Djévo, and Jacobus Gallus’ O Magnum Mysterium, alongside familiar favourites such as The First Noël, Sussex Carol, and O Holy Night.
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VisionQuest Review: Marvel’s Most Unlikely Trilogy Might Be its Best YetPart II: Light becomes Celebration offers a joyful change of pace, combining the vibrant Gloria from Paul Basler’s Missa Kenya, the powerful spiritual Ride On, King Jesus! and the distinctly African sounds of An African Christmas and Merrie Krismis. Beloved carols such as Joy to the World and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing sit alongside contemporary favourites, including Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells and Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas, before the programme concludes with Silent Night.
Linde says the contrast between the two halves makes this year’s programme particularly special.
“We want audiences to experience the full emotion of Christmas,” he explains.
“There are moments in the first half when the music is so beautiful and still that you can almost feel the room holding its breath. The second half brings the wonderful energy the Drakies are known for, with African rhythms, familiar carols and music that makes you want to celebrate. It’s a programme with something for everyone, but most importantly, it tells a story.”
This season, the Drakies will spread Christmas cheer across the Free State and Gauteng before heading to the Western Cape.
If you’re ready to secure your seats, general tour tickets are available now at www.dbchoir.com. Just click on the concert bookings button on the homepage or follow the link on their calendar page.
A Special Night in Johannesburg
One of the absolute highlights of the tour is the annual Christmas concert at The Venue at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg on Sunday, 22 November at 18:00.
Titled Noël Tour – Magic and Music at Every Corner, this special event is part of Melrose Arch’s festive celebrations and continues a beloved tradition of bringing the choir’s extraordinary voices to one of the city’s most vibrant destinations.
To attend the Melrose Arch special performance, audiences must purchase tickets early at www.melrosearch.co.za or Computicket to avoid disappointment. Last year, the Melrose Arch concert tickets sold out very early! Only 350 tickets are available for the Melrose Arch concert at R350 per person, including children under 12.
Wrapping Up an Incredible Year
The Noël Tour is the perfect grand finale for another unforgettable year at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS). It follows a packed calendar of incredible performances, including Music in the Mountains, Music in the City, and their wider Southern Africa Tour, which took the boys all the way to Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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More Than Just Music
Alongside their regular schooling, the “Drakie” boys receive world-class musical training while building the confidence, discipline, and character that will guide them for a lifetime.
Through the DBCS Bursary Fund, the school also helps talented boys from all walks of life access these unique opportunities, making sure the next generation of South African talent has the chance to flourish. Being part of Drakies opens many doors. Many Drakies alumni have excelled not only in the music industry but also as professionals and in sport or business. The calibre of alumni speaks for itself.
“As we prepare for Christmas, we hope families and friends will take the opportunity to come together, enjoy the music and experience something truly special,” Hendrik Bekker concludes.
“If audiences leave feeling inspired, uplifted and reminded of the hope this season represents, we will have achieved what Noël is all about.”
Sources: Supplied
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