Show Hub

​Everything you need to know about rehearsals, arrival, the performance and collecting your child on show day.

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When and where is The Big Christmas Gig?

The Big Christmas Gig takes place on Saturday 28th November 2026 at Kings Church, The Mill, Bury Road, Bolton, BL2 6QE.

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Get directions to Kings Church

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Which show is my child performing in?

Please use the 'Show Times' section of the Show Hub. This will show their allocated performance slot. Please check this before show day, as students are split across different performances. If you are genuinely unable to find your child’s time, please contact the Anthem team before the day of the show.

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What time does my child need to arrive on gig day?

Your child’s arrival time is shown alongside their class in the Rehearsal Times section of the Show Hub. Please arrive 1 hour and 40 minutes before your show time, as students need to be signed in, seated with their group and rehearse before doors open to the audience.

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Where are the band rehearsal 'Rockschool Workshops'?

Our Rockschool Workshops are held separately before show day at our Anthem Music School Media City location, Unit 22 Lord Byron Square, Salford, M50 2XH. Your child’s workshop date and time is on our Show Hub under 'Rehearsal Times'.

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Where can we park at Kings Church?

Please allow plenty of extra time to arrive, park and walk into the venue. Follow the parking signage and instructions from the Anthem and venue team when you arrive. Show days are very busy, so we strongly recommend arriving early rather than allowing only enough time to reach the venue at your child’s scheduled arrival time. There is limited on site parking at Kings Church. There is also on street parking available.

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Where do we park for the Rockschool Workshops?

There is limited parking available on site and plenty of free on street parking available near Lord Byron Square.

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Does my child need to bring their instrument?

No. Please leave instruments at home.

We provide the guitars, drums, keyboards, microphones and other equipment needed for the rehearsal and performance. Everything is set up, tuned, plugged in and ready to use.

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Students will rehearse on the instrument they will use during the show wherever possible, which helps us keep changeovers safe and the concert running smoothly.

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What should my child wear?

Please send your child in comfortable, sensible clothing suitable for performing on stage. We have 'Anthem' T-shirts available in our Merch store.

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They should be able to sit, stand and move around safely. Avoid anything that could easily trip them up or make performing uncomfortable.

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Should my child eat before arriving?

Yes. Please make sure your child has eaten a proper meal before coming to the venue.

Concert days are exciting and can be quite long. Eating beforehand helps students maintain their energy and enjoy the experience.

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We also recommend bringing a small snack and a drink for your child.

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Can my child bring a drink?

Yes. Please send your child with a clearly identifiable drink.

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Drinks must be kept away from instruments, cables and electrical equipment. Students should follow their teacher’s instructions about where drinks and belongings should be stored.

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Should my child bring a snack?

Yes. A small snack is a good idea, particularly if your child will be at the venue for a few hours.

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Please make sure they have eaten properly before arriving rather than relying on snacks throughout the event.

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Should my child use the toilet before rehearsal?

Yes please!

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We strongly encourage all students to use the toilet before rehearsal begins. We have a lot of students and songs to organise in a relatively short rehearsal period, so toilet trips during rehearsal can make it difficult for children to rehearse their performance.

Of course, if your child genuinely needs the toilet or has an emergency, our team will help them.

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Can parents stay during the rehearsal?

The rehearsal is primarily for students, teachers and the show team so we can safely organise everyone and run through the performance.

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Please follow the instructions given by the team when you arrive. Audience doors will open separately before the performance, and your ticket will be checked as you enter the auditorium.

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Do parents need tickets?

Yes. Audience members need a valid ticket for the performance.

Tickets can be purchased through the Tickets section of the Show Hub. We strongly recommend booking in advance rather than waiting until show day.

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Students who are performing do not need an audience ticket for their own performance.

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When do the audience doors open?

Audience doors open 10-15 minutes before each performance. 

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We ask parents not to enter the auditorium early while the student rehearsal and sound checks are still taking place.

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Where will my child be during the show?

Students will sit with their allocated group and Anthem chaperones inside the auditorium.

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Our team will take each group to the side of stage 5 minutes before their performance slot, they will then enter the stage and perform with their band and return them safely to their seats afterwards. Children should remain with their group and follow their teacher or chaperone throughout the event.

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What happens if my child is nervous?

Nerves are completely normal, especially for younger students or children performing for the first time.

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Our teachers and show team are there to support the students throughout rehearsals and the concert. Children perform as part of a group rather than being left on stage alone, and we do everything we can to make the experience positive, exciting and supportive.

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If your child is particularly anxious or may need additional support, please let us know before show day wherever possible.

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What happens if we are late?

Please do everything possible to arrive at your allocated time.

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Once rehearsals begin, students are being organised into bands, seated, rehearsed and prepared for the performance. Arriving late can mean your child misses important rehearsal time and makes it much harder for the team to safely organise the group.

If you are unexpectedly delayed on the day, please contact Anthem as soon as possible.

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What if my child can no longer perform?

Please let us know as soon as possible.

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The show schedule, instruments, songs, programmes and student groups are planned in advance, so knowing about absences helps our team make any necessary changes before show day.

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How do I collect my child after the performance?

At the end of the concert, children will wait to be collected in the main hall. You will need to sign them out of the venue before leaving.

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Can I collect my child before the show has finished?

Please wait until the performance has completely finished and our organised collection process begins.

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Removing students during the performance makes safeguarding and supervision much more difficult for the team.

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If you have an exceptional reason why your child must leave early, please speak to us before the event so this can be planned safely.

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What health and safety information should we know?

There are instruments, microphone stands, cables and electrical equipment throughout the performance area, so students must walk rather than run and listen carefully to their teachers.

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Children should stay with their group at all times and should only move around the auditorium or stage when instructed by an Anthem team member.

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Will there be bright or flashing lights?

Yes. This is a live concert experience and bright stage lighting and moving lighting effects may be used during the performance.

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If your child or a member of your party is particularly sensitive to bright lighting, please bear this in mind when booking.

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Will smoke or haze effects be used?

Yes. Theatrical haze, smoke or low-fog style effects may be used as part of the production.

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These are used to enhance the stage lighting and concert atmosphere. If your child has a particular sensitivity that we need to know about, please contact the Anthem team before the event.

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Will balloons be used?

Our shows may include balloons, confetti or similar celebration effects, particularly during the finale.

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Children will be briefed about these effects during rehearsal and should continue listening to their teachers rather than chasing balloons or leaving their allocated position.

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If your child has a particular sensory concern around balloons, loud noises or stage effects, please let us know beforehand.

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Is the show loud?

This is a live music concert with drums, amplified guitars, vocals and a professional PA system, so it will naturally be louder than a normal music lesson.

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If your child is particularly sensitive to noise, you may wish to consider appropriate hearing protection and let our team know about any additional support they may require.

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Can my child bring a bag?

Yes, but please keep belongings to a minimum.

Bags and coats should be stored safely where instructed by the team and must not block walkways, fire exits or performance areas. Please make sure anything your child brings is clearly identifiable.

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Can we take photos and videos?

Yes. You’re very welcome to take photos and videos of your own child during the performance.

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We’ll also have professional photos and videos available after the show via our website.

If you definitely want a professional photo of your child, make sure you visit our Red Carpet Photo Booth after the show before you leave. This is the best way to make sure they get a great individual photo from the day.

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What happens if I have selected “no photos” for my child?

Photography and filming permissions are managed through the information you provide to Anthem.

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If you have selected restrictions for your child, our team will follow the permissions recorded for them. If you are unsure what permission you selected or need to make a change, please contact us before show day.

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Is there a show programme?

We produce a show programme for our major concerts featuring information about the event and, where permission has been given, our performers.

Names and photographs used in the programme depend on the permissions and information supplied before the programme deadline. Please pre-order your programme to avoid disappointment. 

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Can we buy merchandise at the show?

Yes. Anthem merchandise and selected show items will be available from the Merchandise area.

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You can also check the Merch section of the Show Hub for information about what is available and any pre-order deadlines.

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Is food available at the venue?

There will be refreshments available during the event, but please do not rely on purchasing food at the venue as your child’s main meal.

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Make sure performers have eaten properly before arriving and bring a suitable snack and drink with them.

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Is there accessible seating?

If you or one of your guests requires accessible seating or has a particular access requirement, please select the relevant option when purchasing tickets where available or contact the team in advance.

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Giving us notice allows us to work with the venue to make your visit as straightforward as possible.

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Can siblings attend?

Yes. Siblings and other family members are very welcome to watch, subject to ticket availability.

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Every audience member who requires a seat should be included when you make your booking.

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How long is the performance?

Our age 5-10 shows are approximately 50 minutes long. Our teen/adult shows are approximately 30 minutes long.

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My child only just started, should they take part?

Yes! We encourage new beginners to take part to learn how to enter the stage, have fun with their band and take part! They don't need to know every note just yet, our teacher band will support them to make sure they have a blast on stage!

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Where can I find the latest show information?

This Show Hub is the main place for all Big Christmas Gig information.

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Please check here for rehearsal times, show times, tickets, merchandise, photographs, deadlines and any important updates.

 

We recommend checking the page again during the week of the show in case any timings or arrangements have been updated.