Christmas is coming in hot, and so is the holiday entertainment over the next week. I found a slew of opportunities for you to embrace the sacred and secular sounds of the season. So, take a break from the shopping and treat yourself to a seat at one of these upcoming performances.
CSO Holiday Pops
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* resident conductor Christopher James Lee is leading Holiday Pops: A Carolina Christmas at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte), December 12th through 14th. This festive concert celebrates North Carolina’s rich musical heritage as the sounds of bluegrass, blues, and gospel converge in traditional holiday songs — honoring Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas — that feel uniquely like Carolina. The CSO will be joined by Wendy Hickman; vocals DaShawn Hickman, steel guitar/vocals; Laurelyn Dossett, guitar/vocals; Joe Newberry, banjo/guitar/vocals; April Verch, fiddle/vocals; and the Charlotte Master Chorale. December 12-14.
GSO Holiday Concert
Celebrate the season with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and vocalist Ken Kennedy at Westover Church (505 Muirs Chapel Road, Greensboro) on Friday, December 12th at 7 p.m. Conductor Jungho Kim will lead this festive concert of cherished holiday music with sing-alongs, and even a special appearance by Santa Claus. Admission is free with a donation of non-perishable food items to benefit the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Registration is required. December 12.
Choral Christmas
The 110-voice Hickory Choral Society is performing a weekend of Christmas concerts featuring holiday classics and modern works at Corinth Reformed Church (150 16th Avenue NW, Hickory), December 12th through 14th. The program will feature music by William Billings, Daniel Pinkham, Dominick Argento, Rosephanye Powell, and Moses Hogan. Beloved favorites such as the Alfred Burt Carols and The Many Moods of Christmas will be joined by an orchestrated setting of White Christmas, the best-selling single of all time. December 12-14.
Singing Scrooge
Ebenezer might be miserly, but at least he can carry a tune. Matthews Playhouse (100 E. McDowell Street, Matthews) is bringing back Scrooge! The Musical for the fourth year in a row, December 5th through 14th. This “spirited” adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is recommended for ages 8 and up. December 12-21
Ring Christmas Bells
Charlotte Bronze, the premiere handbell ensemble in the Piedmont region, is presenting Joy to the World, a series of concerts across our listening area this month. This year’s holiday concert features more than 20 ringers and percussionists performing perennial favorites such as “Sleigh Ride;” “Joy to the World;” “Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella;” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear;” and “The First Noel.” Here are their upcoming dates:
Friday, December 12, 6:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Belmont (807 South Point Road, Belmont, NC)
Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m.
First Baptist Church (99 N. Main Street, Marion, NC)
Monday, December 15, 6:30 p.m.
Broad Street United Methodist Church (315 W Broad Street, Statesville, NC)
Friday, December 19, 6:30 p.m.
St. John’s United Methodist Church (321 S. Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC)
Saturday, December 20, 5 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church (1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC)
Christmas Sounds in Cornelius
Samuel A. Kyzer leads the 60-member, all-volunteer Lake Norman Orchestra. They’re bringing the sounds of the season to Bethel Presbyterian Church (19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius) on Friday, December 12th at 7 p.m. The free concert will include Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” the carol “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.” December 12.
Clara’s Trip
If you love The Nutcracker, you’ll also want to add Clara’s Trip to your calendar. This contemporary twist on Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic is coming to Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), December 12th through 15th; and the CoMMA Performing Arts Center (401 S. College Street, Morganton) on December 20th. Created by North Carolina choreographer Caroline Calouche, Clara’s Trip is an entertaining fusion of gravity-defying cirque, athletic dancing, and a timeless story that is a treat for the entire family. December 12-20.
More Messiah
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed out on your opportunity to hear George Frideric Handel’s iconic oratorio, Messiah, live this holiday season. Conductor Michelle Merrill leads the Winston-Salem Symphony and Chorus* on Saturday, December 13th, 7:30 p.m. at Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel (2625 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem). December 13.
The Charlotte Music Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a performance of Handel’s Messiah, Part I at First United Methodist Church (501 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Sunday, December 14th at 3 p.m. The community chorus and orchestra will be led by Ginger Wyrick for this free concert. December 14.
TSO
Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to the Queen City for two shows at Spectrum Center (333 E. Trade Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, December 13th, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. TSO’s 2025 Winter Tour: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve features the group’s signature light show and pyrotechnics set to an electrifying soundtrack of their most beloved songs. December 13.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
First Presbyterian Church of Mooresville and Performance Coffee House (143 S. Broad Street, Mooresville) are presenting Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors on Saturday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 14th at 3:00 p.m. in the 143 Broad Worship Space. The musical drama tells the story of a poor shepherd boy and his mother who are visited by The Three Kings, who are on their way to Bethlehem to visit Jesus. Admission is free. December 13-14.
Voices & Brass
The Gaston Choral Society and special guests, the Gold Street Brass, are presenting Earth Shall Ring at First Baptist Church of Gastonia (2650 Union Road, Gastonia) on December 13th and 14th. The holiday concert will feature classic carols and joyful new choral favorites that capture the spirit of the season. December 13-14.
Merry in Matthews
The Matthews Concert Band invites you to celebrate the season at its popular holiday concert at First Baptist Church (185 S. Trade Street, Matthews) on Tuesday, December 16th at 7:30 p.m. They’ll be performing many of your Yuletide favorites, both sacred and secular. Admission is free. December 16.
Tiny Tim on a Trolley
Lee Street Theater (329 N. Lee Street, Salisbury) is bringing back its annual Scrooge Christmas Trolley Tour. Ebenezer himself shares his famous story on this multi-stop 40-minute trolley ride through Salisbury with appearances by Tiny Tim, Bob Crachit, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Trolley shows are on the hour starting at 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m. The trolleys seat up to 28 people. December 16-23.
Joy of Hanukkah
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* is collaborating with the Charlotte Jewish Community to present Festival of Lights, a musical celebration of Hanukkah at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Thursday, December 18th. Resident conductor Christopher James Lees and the CSO are joined by vocalists Cantor Shira Lissek and Cantor Danielle Rodnizki, violist Benjamin Geller, and a children’s choir from local congregations to perform music from across the centuries, and a lively sing-along of favorite Hanukkah songs. December 18.
Hilarity in a Habit
If you need a break from the holiday hoopla, Blumenthal Arts* is also offering the musical comedy, Sister Act at Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), December 18th through 20th. Based on the 1992 film about a nightclub singer hiding from the mob in a convent, the stage adaptation has delighted audiences around the world for nearly 20 years. December 18-20.
More Music, Mirth & Merriment
- A Classic Christmas in Mooresville: Enjoy a nostalgic holiday experience with live entertainment, shopping, ice skating, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa visits, a carousel, train rides, carolers, and more in downtown Mooresville. December 12.
- Photona: Multimedia showcase of light, projection, and sound created by UNC School of the Arts* Design & Production students in Winston-Salem. December 12.
- Charlotte Choir School*: Elizabeth Lenti conducts Tidings of Joy: A Christmas Concert at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in uptown Charlotte. December 12-13.
- 8th Annual Reindog Parade: Bring your pups to strut their stuff in festive attire and enjoy holiday shopping in the Mistletoe Market at Camp North End. December 13.
- Charlotte Holiday Collective: Shop unique gifts, handmade treasures, and holiday must-haves from crafters and vendors at Urban District Market in Charlotte. December 13.
- Santa on the Chimney: Santa Claus will rappel down Chimney Rock each hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Between practice runs for Christmas Eve, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos at Chimney Rock State Park. December 13.
- Historic Yorkville Holiday Home Tour: Visit private homes, a church, and other historical locations decorated for the holidays as the Yorkville Historical Society hosts its 41st annual holiday tour in York, SC. December 13-14.
- Menorah Lighting at Birkdale Village: Celebrate Chanukah with a traditional menorah lighting, crafts, donuts, latkes, gelt, and more. December 14.
This is a special time of year, and I hope you’re able to make the most of it. The WDAV Events Calendar may have a few more things of interest, so take a look. Until next week…
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*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Hickory Choral Society, Winston-Salem Symphony, Blumenthal Arts, UNCSA, and Charlotte Choir School are WDAV underwriters.