Local concertgoers can finally rejoice with several opportunities to resume their regular holiday outings this season.
Last year, due to the pandemic, most events were either put on hold or went virtual. Now, a majority of old favorites are back as venues have adopted COVID-19 protocols (be sure to get the official lowdown on vaccine and mask requirements before buying tickets; not all locations are the same).
There’s a wide variety of musical offerings throughout Southern California worth checking out — everything from pop and punk to jazz, gospel, mariachi and more.
KIIS-FM/102.7 and iHeart Radio’s Jingle Ball
The radio station annual holiday concert always draws the top stars currently making waves on the pop chart music (plus a blast from the past or two). The 2021 edition includes Ed Sheeran, BTS, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Black Eyed Peas, The Kid Laroi, Bazzi, Saweetie, Tate McRae and Dixie D’Amelio. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at The Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. Tickets are sold out, but some could still be found at press time starting at $145 through secondary seller stubhub.com.
Marie Osmond: ‘A Symphonic Christmas’
Having attended a Donny & Marie Christmas show in the past, I can affirm that she definitely knows how to make fans feel right at home. In addition to Christmas songs, the multi-faceted entertainer is expected to perform some of her old country hits, Broadway tunes and selections from the upcoming opera and American standards album “Unexpected.” 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Tickets are $70-$110 at cerritoscenter.com.
She & Him Christmas
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward just released a 10th anniversary deluxe edition of their album “A Very She & Him Christmas,” where the luxurious 1960s-styled pop duo tackle covers of Wham!’s “Last Christmas” and Madonna’s “Holiday.” 8 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles. Tickets are sold out, but resale tickets start at $128 via ticketmaster.com.
X: X-Mas Re-Zoomed
In 2021, the influential punk band released “Alphabetland,” its first new studio album in more than three decades. Fans can plan on hearing such X classics as “White Girl” and “Los Angeles” at the gigs. 8 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at Teragram Ballroom, 1234 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, Tickets are $35 at teragramballroom.com; 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at The Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. Tickets are $38 at observatoryoc.com.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories
There will be plenty of lasers and blazing guitar solos when the progressive rock group marks the 25th Anniversary of its phenomenally successful “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” album (including the popular single “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”). 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Toyota Arena, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario. Tickets are $46.50-$86.50 at ticketmaster.com.
A Merry-Achi Christmas
Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, the all-female Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and DanzArts Sabor Mexico Dance Company present a traditional Mexican holiday program of song and dance. 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Tickets are $35-$86 at cerritoscenter.com.
A Drag Queen Christmas — The Naughty Tour
This mix of adult oriented holiday music and comedy is an all new production featuring a dozen contestants from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” reality programs. 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. Tickets are $54-$79 at livenation.com; 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $35-$75 at livenation.com.
A Concordia Christmas: Repeat the Sounding Joy
More than 200 performers from eight Concordia University Irvine vocal and instrumental performing ensembles will make their Segerstrom debut. 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $25-$60 at scfta.org.
Christmas with the Filharmonic
Los Angeles-based Filharmonic has appeared on NBC’s “The Sing Off” and in the film “Pitch Perfect 2.” The young Filipino-American a cappella group’s shows often involve dancing and emphasize on pop and R&B songs from the 1990s to the present. 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Tickets are $20-$40 at cerritoscenter.com.
Barry Manilow’s A Gift of Love V
The pop music superstar is a longtime supporter of the arts in schools. Manilow’s fifth series of shows benefiting 25 Coachella Valley charities encompass his hit songs from the 1970s and ’80s, plus holiday favorites (Manilow’s done three albums’ worth). Past events have included a children’s choir, Santa Claus and snow. 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 8 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Tickets are $102-$3,125 at mccallumtheatre.com.
Young Americans: ‘The Magic of Christmas’
The Christmas spectacular uses a 250-person cast, more than 6,000 costumes, 30 festive scene changes and snow. A 45-foot digital screen transports the audience to the polar ice caps of the North Pole and the streets of Dickens’ London for a family friendly treat. There are big production numbers, dancing Santas, penguins, “The Nutcracker Suite” and more. 8 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 11; 2 p.m. Dec. 12; 8 p.m. Dec. 15-17; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Tickets are $15-$55 at lamiradatheatre.com.
Kurt Elling Sings Christmas: The Beautiful Day
Named after his 2016 Christmas album, the concert finds the jazz vocalist mixing traditional carols and contemporary Christmas songs. 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 11 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $49-$89 at scfta.org.
Nochebuena
Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles — which has performed at the Academy Awards, on “Dancing with the Stars” and worked with Pepe Aguilar, joins Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar and guest vocalist Lupita Infante to bring the sound of mariachi and folklorico dancers to this family-friendly holiday show. 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Tickets are free; reservations required at thesoraya.org.
Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey
Grant has been making music for more than 20 years, while Gokey first came to prominence as a top 3 “American Idol” finalist in 2009. Both are Dove Award-winning, Contemporary Christian music hitmakers. 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Riverside Municipal Auditorium, 3485 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. Tickets are $29.95-$75 at livenation.com.
A Chanticleer Xmas
The Grammy-winning, 12-man ensemble performs a classic holiday program of a cappella choral music. 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets are $40-$108 at laphil.com.
CeCe Winans
One of the most recognizable names in gospel music, the singer released the live album “Believe for it” earlier this year. She recently recorded a new version of the title track with Lauren Daigle. 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets are $40-$108 at laphil.com.
José Feliciano: Celebrating the Holidays
The blind Puerto Rican singer/guitarist is probably best known for his top 10 hit single cover of The Doors’ “Light My Fire,” but his 1970 tune “Feliz Navidad” is a holiday staple. 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Tickets are $38-$78 at 888-645-5006. wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com
Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2021
The gregarious sax man returns with his 24th annual tour alongside singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Richard Elliot and vocalist Rebecca Jade (a regular member of Sheila E.’s band). Their smooth jazz sets revolve around Christmas classics, individual hits (such as Butler’s “Lies”; Koz’s “You Make Me Smile”) and a Hanukkah medley. 8 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Tickets are $60-$100 at cerritoscenter.com; 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Tickets are $60-$115 at mccallumtheatre.com.
Midtown Men Holiday
Four vocalists from the original Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys” offer an evening of songs, stories and choreography that includes Yuletide favorites and rock ‘n’ roll hits of 1960s. They are backed by the Pacific Symphony, conducted by Lawrence Loh. 8 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $38-$209 at scfta.org.
Stevie Wonder’s 23rd House Full of Toys benefit concert
The music legend brings back his annual fundraiser, which usually boasts an array of special guests. Proceeds from the show will benefit children, people with disabilities and families in need. Concert-goers are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or “gift of joy.” 8 p.m. Dec. 18. Microsoft Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles.$44.50-$154.50 at axs.com
David Benoit Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas
The jazz pianist and composer plays Vince Guaraldi’s holiday tunes from the classic animated TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with vocalist Courtney Fortune. 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach. Tickets are $45 at carpenterarts.org; 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Tickets are $35 at thecoachhouse.com.
The Vandals’ 26th Annual Winter Formal
With Vandals holiday songs like “I Don’t Believe in Santa Claus,” “A Gun for Christmas” and “Hang Myself from the Tree,” this show isn’t for the easily offended. Chances are good that a mosh pit forms as soon after the veteran O.C. punk band launches into old faves like “Urban Struggle” and “Anarchy Burger.” 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at House of Blues, 400 Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim. Tickets are $28 at livenation.com.
‘Tis the Season!
The Pacific Chorale performs its traditional music extravaganza in a program expected to include seasonal favorites by Irving Berlin, Jerry Herman, José Feliciano and others. 5 p.m. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $29-$150 at scfta.org.
Gary Hoey’s Annual Ho Ho Holiday Show
The hard rock/blues guitarist released the album “Neon Highway Blues” in 2019. He often performs such holiday standards as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and more. 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Tickets are $23 at thecoachhouse.com.
Johnny Mathis Christmas Concert
No stranger to Christmas music, having recorded six seasonal albums since 1958, the legendary pop crooner lays claim to true perennial standards like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $69-$149 at scfta.org.
Arturo Sandoval Big Band: Swinging Holiday
Latin Jazz-tinged holiday favorites are the focus for the Cuban-American jazz trumpeter and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree. He was also the subject of a 2000 biopic starring Andy Garcia. 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets are $40-$108 at laphil.com.
Fiesta Navidad with Mariachi Los Camperas
The Grammy-winning ensemble celebrates Mexican holiday traditions with festive music and dance. 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $29-$89 at scfta.org.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Composer-percussionist Chip Davis and his extremely successful neoclassical/new age group have plenty of material to choose from for their current tour. Mannheim Steamroller has released multiple Christmas albums and compilations since 1984, with several reaching platinum sales status. 8 p.m. Dec. 29 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Tickets are $75-$95 at cerritoscenter.com.
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