During the holidays, The Nutcracker isn't the only Christmas performance you can attend. In fact, there are plenty of classical music Christmas concerts to see! From amateurs to professionals, you'll hear traditional and non-traditional Christmas classics in a variety of styles. Below is a select listing of classical Christmas concerts performed by professional symphony orchestras from California to New York.
1. San Francisco Symphony - Choral Christmas Spectacular
Dec. 17-19The San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are performing a selection of holiday classics, seventeen of them to be exact. Under conductor, Ragnar Bohlin, the program will feature not only Rutter's Gloria and Lloyd-Webber's Pie Jesu, but also sing-along selections for the audience.
2. Oregon Symphony
Dec. 19-21This year, the Oregon Symphony will present several holiday concerts including The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller, The Spirit of Season, and Comfort and Joy. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first release of the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" by Chip Davis. Since it's creation, Davis has created and released 18 Christmas albums. The Oregon Symphony's The Spirit of the Season is geared towards children with selections from The Nutcracker, Vivaldi's Winter Concerto, and other popular Christmas tunes. Comfort and Joy is a family concert featuring audience sing-alongs, as well as a variety of music by Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, Bizet, Beethoven, and more.
3. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - A Very Merry Holiday Pops
Dec. 18-20The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and conductor Michael Krajewski, will present a fun family Christmas concert complete with a singing and dancing Santa Claus. What's great about this concert series is that two local Atlanta high school choruses will perform with the renowned symphony.
4. Dallas Symphony - Cheer! A Christmas Celebration
Dec. 15-20The Dallas Symphony Orchestra's popular Christmas concerts quickly sell out! Luckily, you still have a chance to get tickets to the show if act fast. Cheer! features performances of the popular holiday classics with the Dallas Symphony Chorus and a children's choir.
5. Los Angeles Philharmonic
Dec. 15-23The Los Angeles Philharmonic has quite a busy holiday season. This year the LA Phil will present a variety of holiday concerts including Handel's Messiah, A Chanticleer Christmas, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Holiday Sing-Along, Messiah Sing-Along, Holiday's with Sweet Honey in the Rock, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's A Creole Christmas.
6. New York Philharmonic - Handel's Messiah
Dec. 15-19The Nutcracker isn't the only traditional holiday concert, Handel's Messiah can be heard in just as many performance halls, auditoriums, and churches around the world. This year's artists include Annette Dasch (soprano), Daniel Taylor (countertenor), James Taylor (tenor), Shenyang (bass), and Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart (chorus).
7. Chicago Symphony Orchestra- Welcome Yule!
Dec. 18-23The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, along with the Welcome Yule! Dance Ensemble and Children's Ensemble, will present an energetic holiday concert featuring newly arranged Christmas classics. With eight separate performances, you'll surely get a chance to see this holiday spectacle.
8. Cleveland Orchestra
Dec. 16-20This year the world famous Cleveland Orchestra will present two holiday concerts: An Irish Christmas and Christmas Concert. An Irish Christmas features Eileen Ivers performing traditional Irish songs and airs on the fiddle. Of all the concerts listed so far, this proves to be the most unique! The CO's Christmas Concert features... you guessed it... holiday favorites, performed by none-other than the renowned Cleveland Orchestra.
9. Omaha Symphony - Christmas with the Symphony
Dec. 18-20The Omaha Symphony brings back it's popular holiday concert with five separate performances this year. The symphony will team up with local talent to perform holiday classics under the baton of conductor, Ernest Richardson.
10. Colorado Symphony Orchestra - Too Hot to Handel
Dec. 18 & 19This unique holiday concert created by conductor, Marin Alsop, is ahigh-spirited gospel interpretaion on Handel's Messiah. Co-arranged by Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson, the Gospel Messiah features Lillilas White (soprano), Vaneese Thomas (mezzo), Thomas Young (tenor), the CSO Chorus, and other guest choirs.
