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’Tis the season for all things merry, and there’s nothing like a holiday concert to get you into the giving spirit. No matter what genre you gravitate toward, there’s a variety of Christmas music for it. From jazz to cajun and flamenco to classic, we’ve rounded up the best holiday-themed music events around the Mile High City in December for every kind of music enthusiast.
Below, the 21 best holiday concerts in Denver this year.
Celtic Woman: White Christmas
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $67.
Like Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé, Christmas is Celtic Woman’s time to shine. The Irish ensemble will perform selections like “Silent Night,” “Danny Boy,” and “Carol of the Bells” with accompaniment by the Colorado Symphony.
My Favorite Queens
- Where: Central Presbyterian Denver (1660 Sherman St., Denver), Unity of Boulder Spiritual Center (2855 Folsom St., Boulder), and St. Andrew UMC Highlands Ranch (9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch)
- Details: Shows on Dec. 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 14 at various times. Tickets start at $26.
In this take on “My Favorite Things,” Denver’s eminent queer chorus will perform holiday standards for audiences in Denver, Boulder, and Highlands Ranch.
El Javi: Acoustic Christmas
- Where: Dazzle (1080 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.; doors at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18.
Denver-based guitarist El Javi will pull from far-ranging genres—flamenco, folk, world music, prog rock—to deliver his own take on holiday standards.
Read More: Denver Jazz Artists Share What Dazzle Means to Them Ahead of Its Reopening
A Charlie Brown Christmas – LIVE!
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $19.
The whole gang will fill the stage of Boettcher Concert Hall—from Linus and Snoopy to Charlie Brown himself. Live actors will dance to Vince Guaraldi’s iconic tunes, performed by the Colorado Symphony.
Holiday BrassFest
- Where: Denver Performing Arts Complex Galleria (1301 13th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m. Free.
A three-decade-long tradition, members of the Denver Brass ensemble will perform a free concert for the public in Denver Performing Arts Complex’s outdoor plaza. Expect familiar tunes like “Up on the Rooftop” and “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.”
The Fiamoré Series: It’s Christmas Time
- Where: Dazzle (1080 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 6 at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $24.
The holiday standards are getting an electric update thanks to this multi-instrumental band. Expect electric guitar plus a string quartet mixed with drums and trumpet.
Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra Presents Let It Glow
- Where: Lone Tree Arts Center (10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree)
- Details: Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $32.
As the name of this show hints, Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra will play selections from Frozen—plus the Nutcracker and other familiar melodies.
DJO Holiday Show
- Where: Dazzle (1080 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m.; doors at 3:30 p.m. Tickets start at $23.
Denver Jazz Orchestra’s 18-musician ensemble (think: trombones, trumpets, and saxes galore) will crowd Dazzle’s stage for this annual showcase of swing-infused holiday hits.
Holidays are for Phamaly and the Colorado Symphony
- Where: Lone Tree Arts Center (10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree)
- Details: Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.
All the twinkling lights, bright red and green bursts, and loud holiday bops can be a tad overwhelming. This relaxed, sensory-friendly performance is the antidote. Phamaly Theatre Company and Colorado Symphony are combining forces to produce this inclusive holiday concert, complete with fidget tools, reduced venue capacity, captions, and an available quiet room.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats with Mavis Staples & Friends
- Where: Mission Ballroom (4242 Wynkoop St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.; doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $96.
In this holiday-twinged performance, see Denver-born band Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats lean into the holiday cheer. Mavis Staples will support—and a portion of the proceeds of the night go to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
Read More: Inside the Album That Made Nathaniel Rateliff—and Changed Colorado Music
Bria Skonberg: Jingle Bell Swing
- Where: The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts (2344 East Iliff Ave., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $42.
Trumpeter Bria Skonberg will lead her group through jazzy takes on modern tunes like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Sia’s “Santa Is Coming for Us.”
BeauSoliel with Michael Doucet
- Where: Lone Tree Arts Center (10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree)
- Details: Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $45.
A departure from the Christmas oldies and pop-infused holiday bops, this Cajun-Creole band will put a festive spin on holiday classics.
A Colorado Christmas
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $19.
The ultimate Christmas experience for locavores, this medley of seasonal tunes will be led by the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Symphony Chorus, and Colorado Children’s Chorale and hosted by Denver vocalist Devin DeSantis.
Lapompe: Django Carols
- Where: Dazzle (1080 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 12 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $18.
Denver outfit Lapompe will cross Django Reinhart–style gypsy jazz with traditional Christmas carols for this beloved annual performance.
Annie Booth Trio: Charlie Brown Christmas
- Where: Dazzle (1080 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Shows from Dec. 14 to Dec. 24. Tickets start at $35.
Is it even Christmas without hearing A Charlie Brown Christmas theme? Check that item off your holiday to-do list during this live concert led by pianist Annie Booth and bandmates bassist Patrick McDevitt and drummer Alejandro Castaño, as well as a rotation of jazz vocalists.
Holiday Brass
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $32.
If your ears perk up at the tune of a trumpet or saxophone, this brass-forward holiday spectacle is the place to be. Colorado Symphony’s Brass Section will turn out seasonal ballads, carols, and more.
Nocturne Holiday Sessions
- Where: Nocturne (1330 27th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 17 through Dec. 21. 6-10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.
End your holiday shopping session with dinner, a drink, and some jazz. Depending on the night, the Peter Sommer Septet or the David Mesquitic Quintet will dazzle audience members with holiday standards.
Read More: Jazz Club Nocturne Celebrates 10 Years in RiNo
Handel’s Messiah
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $19.
Handel’s Messiah has been performed since 1741, but the Colorado Symphony and conductor Taylor Martin are employing modern staging and other narrative flairs to enliven the tradition.
Spirit of the Season
- Where: The Armstrong Center at Colorado Christian University (8787 West Alameda Ave., Lakewood)
- Details: Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $13.
Vocalists Steven Taylor and Aubrey Jacobs will be soundtracked by Denver Brass for this holiday gig—which is made all the more special since it’s being recorded for Denver Brass’ upcoming album release.
TubaChristmas Concert
- Where: Sculpture Park (1736 Speer Blvd., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. Free.
It’s the humble tuba’s turn in the spotlight: At this annual gathering, dozens of tuba players will perform holiday standards—keep your eye out for the decorated ones.
Elf in Concert
- Where: Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St., Denver)
- Details: Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $51.
Your annual rewatching of Elf just got upgraded: Watch Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf on a massive screen, while the Colorado Symphony plays the score live.
