The debate about the right time to play it may be ongoing, but there's no questioning the popularity of Christmas music.
After the COVID-19 pandemic cleared holiday event calendars in 2020, local live music fans will be pleased to see several yuletide concerts making a comeback this season.
From the rock 'n' roll spectacle of Trans-Siberian Orchestra to the soaring sacred beauty of George FridericHandel's "Messiah," here are some of the seasonal concerts playing across Oklahoma to get you in the Christmas spirit:
The Spark Concert Series' Black Friday show
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 26.
Where:The Auditorium at The Douglass, 600 NHigh.
Information:https://www.facebook.com/THESPARKCONCERTSERIES.
The fledgling concert series offers a day after Thanksgiving show featuring local favoritesAdam and Albert Aguilar and Edgar Cruz. The Black Friday concert will be hosted by Michael Todd and Cristela Carrizales.
'Tis the Season Holiday Concert
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Nov.27.
Where: Scissortail Park's Love's Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn,300 SW 7.
Information:https://scissortailpark.org.
The freeconcert with feature the singers of the Canterbury Youth Voices (conducted by Susan Pendergraft),OK City Chorus,Canterbury Voices Chamber Voices (conducted by Randi Von Ellefson) and the Montrae Tisdale-Johnson & The Friends Chorale. Along with the music, attendees will hear a special reading of the holiday classic "‘Twas the Night Before Christmas." Hot chocolate and s'mores will be available.
Lindsey Stirling's 'Christmas Program'
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 29.
Where: The Criterion, 500 E Sheridan Ave.
Information:https://criterionokc.com.
The multi-talented violinist and entertainer's holiday show will feature festive costumes, talenteddancersand her favorite seasonal songs, includingseveralfeatured on her chart-topping album "Warmer in the Winter."
For King & Country's 'A Drummer Boy Christmas'
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 2.
Where: Paycom Center, 100 W Reno.
Information:https://www.paycomcenter.com.
The Grammy-winning Christian pop duo will perform a mix of Christmas classics and new tunes.
David Phelps
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
Where:Freeland Center for Performing Arts, Bristow.
Information:https://www.facebook.com/bristowfreelandcenter.
The Dove and Grammy Award-winning recording artist brings his"It Must Be Christmas Tour" to Bristow for one night.
Canterbury Voices' 'Messiah'
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 5.
Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
Information:https://canterburyokc.com/messiah.
Oklahoma City's premier symphony chorus presents Handel’s beloved Baroque-period oratorio.
Chickasha Holiday Concert
When: 2 p.m. Dec. 5.
Where: First Christian Church,202 S 6, Chickasha.
Information:https://usao.edu/calendar.
The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma Concert Choir and Pioneer Elementary Honor Choir will present a joint performance. Free and open to the public, the concert will feature music for chorus, strings, piano, flute and handbells. First Christian Church's 15-rank, 903 pipe Gress-Miles Organwill join the choirs on “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” and “Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day,” the latter conducted by USAO senior vocal music education major Joel Lane.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8.
Where: Paycom Center, 100 W Reno.
Information:https://www.paycomcenter.com.
The multiplatinum-selling progressive rock group returns to Oklahoma City to celebrate 25 years of its yuletide rock opera "Christmas Eve and Other Stories."
Oklahoma City University's Christmas Vespers
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 4 p.m. Dec. 11.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25.
Information:okcu.edu/tickets.
The Wanda Bass School of Music will present its 42nd annual Christmas Vespers, with a musical prelude beginning 30 minutes before the concert start times.
Home Free
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 11.
Where: Legacy Hall at Cox Business Convention Center, Tulsa.
Information:https://coxcentertulsa.com/events.
The country a cappella group brings its "Warmest Winter Tour" to Tulsa.
JD McPherson's 'Socks: A Rock N' Roll Christmas Tour'
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 11.
Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
Information:https://www.cainsballroom.com/events.
The Oklahoma native returns to his home state to play a rollicking Christmas show featuring original holiday music from his 2018 album "Socks.
'Sounds of the Season'
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16.
Where:Yukon Fine Arts Auditorium, 850 Yukon Ave., Yukon.
Information:http://www.yukonok.gov.
The Oklahoma Symphonic Orchestra presents the holiday concert, which this year will feature TV personality and banjo player Lucas Ross andthe Central Oklahoma Ballet Company. Music Director Irv Wagnerwill conduct the orchestra.
21st Red Dirt Christmas
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 18.
Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
Information:https://www.cainsballroom.com/events.
The Red Dirt Rangers and Cody Canada & The Departed will play the long-running yuletide event.
'A Painted Sky Holiday'
When: 2 p.m. Dec. 18.
Where: Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center, 6000 Prosper Blvd., Midwest City.
Information:https://www.paintedskyopera.org/holiday.
Painted Sky Opera Company celebrates the season with a family-friendly performance featuring orchestra, choir, solo singers and dancers showcasing holiday favorites, including orchestral classics, jazz standards and traditional carols.
Art Afloat OKC's Showboat Caroling Cruises
When:7, 8 and 9 p.m. Fridays in December.
Where: Bricktown Canal.
Information:https://downtownindecember.com/art-afloat-okc.
The new concert series in which local musicians play shows on the Water Taxi boats floating on the Bricktown Canal goes holiday themed to close out its first year. Passengers can meet up at Put a Cork In It Winery, 115 E California, for warm beverages then hop aboard the newly painted Bricktown Water Taxis to listen to holiday songs sung by local carolers.
