We generally use this space to list live music options for a mamas night out or date night, but in the spirit of the season, we are listing all the holiday concerts we could find taking place this month. There is nothing quite like music to get you into the holiday spirit! Enjoy!
A Christmas Carol
ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd.
November 25- December 27
$25/person and up
The most popular show in ZACH’s history is full of music. ZACH’s fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family’s love and Ebenezer Scrooge’s miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras.
Tree Lighting at the Driskill
The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos Street
December 1, 6 PM
FREE
Enjoy choral performances and seasonal music from the Arundel Ensemble String Quartet in celebration of the annual Lighting of The Driskill Tree.
Handel’s “Messiah”
Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3901 Speedway
December 1, 8 PM
$25/person and up
The Austin Symphony once again presents its Christmas tradition, Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by Chorus Austin for you and your family at Hyde Park Baptist Church. This night of musical magic will comfort you through its familiarity and fill you with the joy of rediscovery. Let us begin your winter celebrations with a performance full of rejoicing!
Holiday Sing-a-long led by Sara Hickman
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th St.
December 3, 12:05-12:45 PM
FREE
Join the amazing Sara Hickman for the Central Presbyterian Church’s annual holiday sing-a-long, accompanied by the talented Nathan Quiring on piano and Win Bent on bass. This is a really fun event, and a great way to start your holiday season. Song books will be provided. Parking usually easiest on Trinity between 7th & 11th St. at meters or in Capitol Parking Garage at 12th & Trinity.
Christmas in the Community: Woodwinds
Macy’s at Lakeline Mall, 11250 Lakeline Mall Dr., Cedar Park
December 4, 2 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Christmas in the Community: Brass
Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Dr.
December 5, 12 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Christmas in the Community: Strings
Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall, 2901 Capitol of Texas Highway
December 5, 3 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Stateside at the Paramount, 719 Congress
December 5, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM
$22 and up
This is the perfect holiday tradition, with all the music from the original TV holiday classic, performed live. Featuring Michelle Schumann, piano, Utah Hamrick, bass, and David Sierra, drums.
Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Holiday Stroll
Downtown Austin
Saturday, December 5, 6 PM
FREE
The annual Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll is a family-friendly event that celebrates the arrival of the holiday season and the joy it brings. The evening starts at 6 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during KUTX 98.9 “Eklektikos” host John Aielli’s Holiday Sing-Along. As the clock strikes 7 p.m., the countdown to the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree begins, featuring a programmed light show at the top and bottom of every hour, set to holiday songs of local Austin musicians. From 7 to 9 p.m., Congress Ave. will be abuzz with holiday cheer during the Downtown Stroll. Shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will be open late and will feature special activities and offers. Additional Stroll activities include classic holiday cartoons, photos with Santa, live music, a special holiday Farmers’ Market with the Sustainable Food Center, and much more. Support fellow members of the community by bringing non-perishable food or cash donations to the Capitol Christmas tree for the Capital Area Food Bank.
Central Concerts: Holiday Classical Guitar
Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St.
December 6, 1 PM
FREE
If you like the sound of a classical guitar, you’ll love the sound of a dozen! Austin Classical Guitar Ensemble, directed by Eric Pearson, will play a program ranging from guitar classics to Christmas favorites.
Conspirare’s Christmas
Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive
December 7, 8 PM
$10 and up
Conspirare’s signature holiday concert, featuring Craig Hella Johnson’s renowned collage-style programming that weaves diverse styles of music into a seamless whole. This year featuring singer-songwriter Matt Alber.
Riverbend Christmas Sing-Along
Riverbend Church, 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway
December 8, 6 PM (pre-concert festivities and tree lighting), 7:30 PM sing-along
FREE, but RSVP required
Come and sing along to all of your favorite Christmas music featuring the Riverbend choir and orchestra, plus enjoy visits from Rudolph, Frosty and of course, Santa Claus. Special Guest Vocalist Casey McPherson of Alpha Rev will also be performing.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
December 9, 7 PM
$46.50 and up
The story follows the journey of a young runaway who, on Christmas Eve, breaks into an abandoned vaudeville theater seeking shelter from the cold, and the ghostly visions she experiences from that concert hall’s past. The Ghosts of Christmas Eve features such lasting crowd-pleasers as “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” “Promises To Keep” and “This Christmas Day.”
Christmas Around the World
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th
December 10, noon
FREE
Want to take a holiday trip around the world? No bags or passports necessary! Celebrate the season’s manifold musical melodies, and explore “Christmas Around the World” with the Austin Handbell Ensemble at one (or all) of our concert events Thursday, December 10th through Monday, December 14th. Enjoy holiday handbell concerts full of cross-continental carols & classics!
Christmas in the Community: Brass
George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St.
December 10, 6:30 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Christmas in the Community: Strings
Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Ln.
December 11, 10 AM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Christmas in the Community: Brass
Macy’s at the Domain, 11701 N. Mopac
December 11, 3 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Capitol Christmas Concert & Community Sing-a-long
Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress
December 12, noon
FREE
Ring in the Christmas holiday season with A Cappella Texas at the State Capitol Rotunda. Gather all your family and friends, and especially the children, for an afternoon of great singing and Christmas cheer. Join A Cappella Texas, Austin’s premier men’s chorus, for a delightful free all-ages concert and community sing-a-long in beautiful four part Barbershop Harmony.
Festival of Carols
French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St.
December 12, 12 – 4 PM
FREE
Enjoy festive music performed by local school choirs, holiday crafts, games, and concessions. Some activities and the refreshments may require the purchase of tickets. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic lunches.
Happy Holidays!
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Upper School, Dell Fine Arts Center, 5901 Southwest Parkway
December 12, 7:30 PM
$10/student, $12/adult
The Happy Holidays! concert features vocalists Bruce Cain from Southwestern University and Teri Johnson of Temple College. After a performance of the traditional Suite from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, the second half of the program will delight with popular holiday favorites like “Santa Baby”, “O Holy Night”, “Greensleeves”, and the perennial favorite, “Sleigh Ride”.
Christmas Around the World
Williamson County Courthouse, 710 Main Street, Georgetown
December 12, 7:30 PM
$5/children, $10/adults
Want to take a holiday trip around the world? No bags or passports necessary! Celebrate the season’s manifold musical melodies, and explore “Christmas Around the World” with the Austin Handbell Ensemble at one (or all) of our concert events Thursday, December 10th through Monday, December 14th. Enjoy holiday handbell concerts full of cross-continental carols & classics!
Central Concerts: Holiday Classical Guitar
Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St.
December 13, 1 PM
FREE
Two phenomenal talents, Chad Ibison and Janet Grohovac, come together for an afternoon of masterful music making on two guitars. Get ready for sheer beauty in music.
Christmas Around the World
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 11819 S IH-35
December 13, 7:30 PM
$5/child, $10/adult
Want to take a holiday trip around the world? No bags or passports necessary! Celebrate the season’s manifold musical melodies, and explore “Christmas Around the World” with the Austin Handbell Ensemble at one (or all) of our concert events Thursday, December 10th through Monday, December 14th. Enjoy holiday handbell concerts full of cross-continental carols & classics!
Christmas Around the World
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr.
December 14, 7:30 PM
$5/child, $10/adult
Want to take a holiday trip around the world? No bags or passports necessary! Celebrate the season’s manifold musical melodies, and explore “Christmas Around the World” with the Austin Handbell Ensemble at one (or all) of our concert events Thursday, December 10th through Monday, December 14th. Enjoy holiday handbell concerts full of cross-continental carols & classics!
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
December 15-24, 10 AM – 10 PM
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
$8/person plus fees and up
Hot music, fine art, and cold beer make the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar a great way to shop during the holidays. Visitors can explore an amazing array of handmade items from 160+ artists while enjoying live local music and sips from a full bar. The Armadillo stage showcases some of Austin’s favorite musical talent, with live, intimate performances at least three times a day. Featured musicians range from new and emerging stars to local legends, to Grammy winners. You can see the full lineup here.
Christmas in the Community: Woodwinds
Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd.
December 16, 11 AM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Echo and the Bats Holiday Performance
Thursday, December 17, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr.
FREE
Echo and the Bats will play a set of holiday themed music for kids. Echo and the Bats are an all librarian rock band playing songs about your favorite children’s books.
Holiday Open House
Thursday, December 17, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln.
FREE
Joe McDermott, a long time Austin singer-songwriter for children will provide family musical entertainment. After Joe’s performance, Santa will arrive for picture taking. Snacks will be provided. BYOC – bring your own camera – to take a picture with Santa!
Rocking Holiday Extravaganza & The Big Sing
Thursday, December 17, 5:30pm
The Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. MLK Blvd.
FREE
Texas Choral Consort (TCC) is bringing back its popular Rocking Holiday Extravaganza concert for the 2015 Holiday season. The vocal power of TCC’s chorus joins with the irreverence of rock innovators Invincible Czars, resulting in electrified mashups of holiday music and amped-up sing-along classics. Starting at 6:30, The Symphonic Choir from Conspirare will lead visitors through a series of classical and popular choral works connected to imagery of winter holidays as depicted in the Blanton’s collection. The Blanton is hosting these performances as part of its innovative Beat the Rush series, which is in turn part of the museum’s Third Thursday programs. On the third Thursday of each month the museum stays open until 9:00pm, special events take place in the museum environs throughout the day, and Admission is free. Immediately following the TCC performance, Conspirare will host their Big Sing, also at the Blanton. Parking is available in the Brazos Garage for a reduced rate of $4 at the Blanton Visitor Services Desk. Please be sure to bring your ticket with you to receive this rate.
Christmas in the Community: Woodwinds
Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall, 2901 Capitol of Texas Highway
December 18, 3 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Celtic Christmas at the Cathedral
December 18 & 19, 7:30-10 PM
Saint Mary Cathedral, 201 E. 10th St.
$25/person plus fees
Produced by Celtic Cultural Center of Texas, in the hall of one of Austin’s most historic Houses of Worship, comes a gathering every year of some of the city’s most honored vocalists including Brett Barnes, Danny Johnson, and Stephanie Prewitt led by award winning director Jeffrey Jones Ragona. The voices combined within the extraordinary Schola Cantorum of St. Mary’s Cathedral make it a night of enchanted wonder paired perfectly by the humble offerings of the Irish and Scottish traditional music played by noted artists of the Celtic Cultural Center forming a celebration fit for angels and shepherds alike.
Love. at Stateside
December 18, 8 PM
Stateside at the Paramount, 713 Congress
$30 and up
Love. at the Stateside is an evening of powerful music benefitting the Superhero Kids Organization which supports families with children at the Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center. The show focuses on holiday and original music performed by one stellar band and 5 powerhouse vocalists, all lead singers, rotating on and off stage; Ginger Leigh, Shelley King, Patrice Pike, Wendy Colonna and Hedda Layne. Now in its 3rd year, we are proud to announce the addition of a guest appearance on December 18th by Suzanna Choffel and Carolyn Wonderland. Flamenco guitar master, Luis Banuelos, will perform in the lobby for pre-show and intermission entertainment.
Bruce & Kelly’s Holiday Shindig
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
December 19, 8 PM
$30 and up
The singer-songwriter husband-and-wife duo will perform songs from their Christmas album, Happy Holidays, holiday-themed classics, and more. Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis are often described as one of the finest roots duos working in Texas with organic harmonies that can only come from a whole lotta life lived together. This annual family-friendly tradition puts concertgoers of all ages in the holiday spirit with a warm celebration. The only place where number one hits like George Strait’s “Wrapped” are played alongside classics like “Santa Baby,” this Texas country staple is now a syndicated television show!
Central Concerts: Holiday Classical Guitar
Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St.
December 20
FREE
Two marvelous young players, Colin Fullerton & Ian Tuski, prepare this special program together. Mozart & Brahms, Debussy & Bartok and even a few Christmas arrangements will make for a perfect program.
Tuba Christmas
Texas State Capitol Building, 1100 Congress Avenue
December 21, noon
FREE
2015 is the 42nd anniversary for TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events, which are presented throughout the world. Watch a special tuba concert on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol Building.
Christmas in the Community: Strings
Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall, 2901 Capitol of Texas Highway
December 22, 3 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music.
Christmas in the Community: Stardust Big Band & Strings
Symphony Square, 1101 Red River
December 23, 6 PM
FREE
Christmas in the Community is a series of ten concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the Austin Symphony Orchestra playing familiar holiday music. This performance will be simulcast online.
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