16 holiday music concerts happening in Birmingham
Reading time: 9 minutes
Ready to feel that seasonal fa lalala spirit? Then attend these great holiday music concerts happening in Birmingham.
Local
The Ghosts of Gatsby
Where: Samford University. 800 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham, AL 35229
When: Thursday-Sunday, November 15-18
Time: Saturday, November 17 – 7:30pm; Sunday, November 18 – 2:30pm
Tickets
Samford University’s School of the Arts is doing something new this year, and it’s totally cool and just in time for the holiday season. On November 15-18, they will premier a new American opera called The Ghosts of Gatsby.
The opera tells the tale of marriage and madness on the French Riviera circa 1924 with F. Scott Fitzgerald and three different versions of his wife Zelda. Scott is obsessed by his work on The Great Gatsby (yep, that classic book that everyone loves!) and is jealous of Zelda’s recent affair. Locked in her bedroom, she has visions of both a younger and older self.
The 45-minute opera features four performers and a chamber orchestra.
Intrigued? Then read on!
Thursday-Friday are already sold out. Hurry and buy your tickets before it’s too late!
41st Annual Birmingham Boys Choir Christmas Concert
Where: Briarwood Presbyterian Church. 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243
When: Thursday, December 20
Time: 7pm-8:30pm
Cost: FREE
Gather at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on December 20 for their 41st annual Christmas Concert. This concert features the Birmingham Boys Choir—155+ boys in grades 3-12, from over 50 different schools in the greater Birmingham Area.
This is a FREE event and open to the public.
Sounds of the Season
Where: Samford University. Brock Recital Hall. 880 Montague Dr., Birmingham, AL 35229
When: Sunday, December 16
Time: 2:30pm
Tickets
Discover the talent of the Opera Birmingham Chorus as they kick off the holidays with Sounds of the Season. Featuring a variety of solo and ensemble performances by native Birmingham artists, this is the perfect way to set the mood for the holiday season.
This December, Opera Birmingham is teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps to provide toys for less fortunate children in the community through their Toys for Tots program. Participate by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the Opera Birmingham office at the time of your ticket purchase.
Donate a toy November 26-30 and December 3-5 during the hours of 9am-5pm and receive 50% off your ticket(s)!
Handel’s Messiah
Where: Alys Stephens Center – Jemison Concert Hall. 1200 10th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35294
When: Friday, December 14
Time: 7pm
Tickets
It’s hard not to love the Alys Stephens Center. This season, hear the Alabama Symphony Orchestra as they play music from Handel’s Messiah. The show will include:
- Stunning solos
- Dynamic arias
- Monumental choruses
- And more!
Briarwood Christmas Festival
Where: Briarwood Presbyterian Church. 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243
When: Sunday, December 16
Time: 6pm
“Joy to the World”. “Hallelujah Chorus”. These are just two holiday favorites that will be performed at the annual Briarwood Christmas Festival this December. The program will feature:
- Sacred choral and instrumental music
- Beloved carols past and contemporary
- A dramatic portrayal of selections from Handel’s timeless Messiah.
This program is FREE and open to the public.
7th Annual Sam Pointer’s Acoustic Christmas
Where: WorkPlay
When: Friday, December 14
Time: 8pm
Tickets
A Christmas concert with a twist. You definitely have my attention!
This December marks Sam Pointer’s 7th annual acoustic Christmas concert—and it’s definitely worth the listen.
Hear a variety of holidays songs and musical instruments, including:
- Acoustic guitar
- Bouzouski
- Mandolin
- Dixieland banjo
- 5-string banjo
Crestwood Community Band Christmas Concert
Where: Cahaba Brewing Company. 4500 5th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35222
When: Monday, December 3
Time: 7pm
Kick off the holiday season with the Crestwood Community Band during their Christmas concert at Cahaba Brewing Co. Enjoy holiday tunes, fun surprises, beer and lots of cheer.
This is a FREE event. Kids and pets welcome!
Voices of the South
Where: Lyric Theatre. 1800 Third Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203
When: Saturday, December 15
Time: 7pm-9:30pm
This December, experience the unique style of four-part harmony that helped make the Lyric famous with Voices of the South. Voices of the South—Birmingham’s premier mens acapella chorus—will present a wide variety of holiday favorites that will put you in the Christmas spirit.
Orchestras and Tours
ASO’s Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Presents Home for the Holidays
Where: Samford University Wright Center. 872 Montague Dr., Birmingham, AL 35229
When: Friday, December 7
Time: 7pm-9pm
Tickets
What better way is there to celebrate the season than with music by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra? This December, gather with friends and family at Samford University as the ASO presents their holiday spectacular—Home for the Holidays.
Chris Confessore conducts. Renowned Hilltop Singers from Birmingham College and other talented local performers join in for an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Where: Legacy Arena – BJCC
When: Sunday, December 9
Time: 3pm and 7:30pm
Tickets
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is back to rock the stage just in time for the holiday season. Performing an all-new production of “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve”, you will hear all of the best works by TSO and more.
Brian Setzer Orchestra: Christmas Rocks
Where: Birmingham Theater
When: Saturday, December 8
Time: 8pm
Tickets
Join the Brian Setzer Orchestra for their 15th anniversary “Christmas Rocks Tour”. This exciting holiday tour will hit 25 cities across the U.S. and our great city of Birmingham is one of them!
Brian Setzer—guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammar-Award winner—and his 19-piece orchestra will perform music from their latest Christmas album “Rockin’ Rudolph” along with music from their previous three holiday albums. There will also be original music from Setzer.
Live at the Lyric: Taylor Hicks performing the Hits of Rod Stewart and Christmas Classics
Where: Lyric Theatre. 1800 Third Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203
When: December 7
Time: 8pm-10:30pm
Tickets
Since his big win on American idol over a decade ago, Taylor Hicks has been a popular singer/songwriter—especially in Birmingham where he was born and raised. (He graduated from Hoover High, y’all!)
This year, Hicks will be Live at the Lyric and performing the hits of Rod Stewart, along with all the Christmas classics. Be sure to catch this Alabama-bred celeb this holiday season on December 7.
Chris Tomlin: Christmas Songs of Worship
Where: Alabama Theatre
When: Monday, December 3
Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm
Tickets
Hear Christmas songs of worship from Chris Tomlin during his 208 Christmas Tour. This 12-city tour will be stopping in Birmingham at the Alabama Theatre on December 3.
Traditional
Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: Alabama Theatre. 1817 3rd Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203
When: Saturday, December 1; Sunday, December 2
Time: December 1 – 2pm and 7:30pm; December 2 – 2pm
Tickets
Celebrate the holidays with Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker—a Magic City tradition! For its 23rd year, the production will be held at the historic Alabama Theatre in downtown Birmingham.
During the performance, you’ll be taken on a magic journey and wowed by:
- Birmingham’s most gifted aspiring dance artists
- Masterful storytelling
- Elaborate costumes and sets
- Dramatic special effects
- Heartwarming moments
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Where: BJCC – Concert Hall
When: Sunday, November 25
Time: 3pm
Tickets
Experience the magic of Christmas during Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Set to the music of master composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, this is one show you’ll definitely want to experience this holiday season. You’ll be wowed by:
- Life-size dancing puppets
- A 60-ft. growing Christmas tree
- Huge Russian nesting dolls
- A mesmerizing two-person Dove of Peace costume
Birmingham Ballet’s The Mutt-Cracker
Where: Alabama Theatre. 1817 3rd Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203
When: Friday, November 30
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets
The Mutt-cracker. Yep. It’s exactly what it sounds like—dogs performing The Nutcracker. And it’s awesome!
The Mutt-cracker—a new twist on a “classic tail” is Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker, but instead of just dancers onstage, dogs perform too! Could this favorite holiday ballet get any more fun and adorable? I think not!
There are many more music concerts happening during the 2018 holiday season. Who did we miss? And which shows are you most excited about?
