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Gifts that keep on giving: A guide to live holiday music in the Twin Cities

The Jayhawks performing at Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Jayhawks performing at Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday, Dec. 16.Steve Cohen for MPR

by John Kueppers

November 26, 2024

From The New Standards and Sounds of Blackness to José James and Tina Schlieske, don’t miss out on a busy December full of live holiday music. Check out our guide to more than 50 events coming up in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Sunday, Dec. 1

  • Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night: An EPIC Holiday Sing-Along: 8 p.m. at Fine Line, Minneapolis

Monday, Dec. 2

  • George Maurer Group Annual Holiday Show: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Tuesday, Dec. 3

  • The Empty Pockets // MistleTunes Holiday Tour 2024: 7:30 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

Wednesday, Dec. 4

  • Southside Aces: Christmas in New Orleans: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Thursday, Dec. 5

  • Travis Anderson Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Friday, Dec. 6

  • A Very Vintage Christmas: Starring Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz & Friends: 7 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis

  • Maria and the Coins' 4th Annual Holly Jolly Christmas Show with Molly Brandt and Raegan Elizabeth: 7 p.m. at Icehouse, Minneapolis

  • Live in the RIVER ROOM: 20th Annual Jeff Arundel Holiday Show: 8 p.m. at Aster Cafe, Minneapolis

  • The New Standards Holiday Show: 8 p.m. at State Theatre, Minneapolis

  • Viva Knievel presents Sleigh Ball: A Holiday Spectacular: 8:30 p.m. at First Avenue, Minneapolis

The New Standards 2022
The New Standards 2022
Nate Ryan

Saturday, Dec. 7

  • The New Standards Holiday Show: 4 p.m. at State Theatre, Minneapolis

  • SNO BALL '24: 7 p.m. at PNA Hall, Minneapolis

  • Home for the Holidays // Trailer Trash's Trashy Little Xmas Show: 8 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

  • Jim Brickman: Comfort and Joy: 8 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • The New Standards Holiday Show: 8 p.m. at State Theatre, Minneapolis

Sunday, Dec. 8

  • Ben Cook-Feltz’s 4th Annual Holiday Shindig featuring Haley E Rydell, Leslie Rich, and Nikki Lemire: 2 p.m. at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

  • Nicholas David’s 11th Annual St. Nick’s Day Show: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

  • Anthony Shore's 12th Annual Christmas With The King: 8 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

Tuesday, Dec. 10

  • Shaun Johnson Big Band: The Cool Yule Tour: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Wednesday, Dec. 11

  • Kathleen Johnson’s Holiday Hang: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

  • Luminare Christmas: 8 p.m. at Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

Thursday, Dec. 12

  • Cornbread & Friends Holiday Blues Show: 7:30 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis

Cornbread Harris and Jimmy Jam.
Cornbread Harris.
Steve Cohen for MPR

Friday, Dec. 13

  • Merry Christmas From José James: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

  • Sarah Morris Holiday Show: 7:30 p.m. at Icehouse, Minneapolis

  • Couch Potato Massacre Friday The 13th Xmas Massacre: 8 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis

  • The Blenders - Holiday Soul Tour: 8 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • Tina Schlieske & Friends // A Holiday Get-Together: 8 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

  • Trailer Trash’s Trashy Little Xmas Show: 8 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis

  • Santa Rave - The Ultimate Holiday Themed Rave: 9 p.m. at Fine Line, Minneapolis

Saturday, Dec. 14

  • Merry Christmas From José James: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

  • Trailer Trash’s Trashy Little Xmas Show: 8 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis

  • The Blenders - Holiday Soul Tour: 8 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • A Very Cozy Christmas Tour - Throwback + Current R&B / Hip-Hop: 9 p.m. at Varsity Theater, Minneapolis

A man sits on a stool playing guitar in a room full of amplifiers
Born in Minneapolis, José James is called "a jazz singer for the hip-hop generation."
Janette Beckman

Sunday, Dec. 15

  • The Blenders - Holiday Soul Tour: 2 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin // Christmastide at The Parkway: 7 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

Monday, Dec. 16

  • The Peterson Family – Twas The Jam Before Christmas: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Tuesday, Dec. 17

  • The Peterson Family – Twas The Jam Before Christmas: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Thursday, Dec. 19

  • A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring Blue Ox Trio Playing the Music of Vince Guaraldi: 7 p.m. at Turf Club, St. Paul

  • An Evening with Judy Collins // Holidays & Hits: 7:30 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

judy collins performing on stage with an acoustic guitar
Judy Collins.
Jamie McCarthy

Friday, Dec. 20

  • Intoxicats: After Dark // Swingin’ Holiday w. Jake Rudh and special guests: 6:30 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

  • Trailer Trash’s Trashy Little Xmas Show: 7 p.m. at Turf Club, St. Paul

  • Belfast Cowboys “Musical Mistletoe”: 7:30 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis

  • The Jayhawks with Freedy Johnston: 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

  • Chapel Hart Hartfelt Family Christmas Tour: 8 p.m. at Fine Line, Minneapolis

  • "Impromptu Project" Presents: Christmas Live! 2024: 8 p.m. at Icehouse, Minneapolis

A Band performs on stage
The Jayhawks performing with Golden Smog at Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Steve Cohen for MPR

Saturday, Dec. 21

  • A Christmas Celebration with the Steeles: 7 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • Trailer Trash’s Trashy Little Xmas Show: 7 p.m. at Turf Club, St. Paul

  • Dan Rodriguez & His Band // All I Want For Christmas Is Whiskey: 8 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis

  • Yuletide Sweater Ball feat Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins’ with Brotherhood of Birds, Feeding Leroy: 8 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis

men in backyard with flamingos
Trailer Trash's Trashy Little Xmas show, photo by Steve Wolf
Courtesy of Steve Wolf

Sunday, Dec. 22

  • A Christmas Celebration with the Steeles: 3 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • A Swingin’ Christmas With The Andrew Walesch Big Band: 7:30 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

  • Christmas Favorites: A Ska-Punk/Indie Rock Extravaganza: 6:30 p.m. at The Garage, Burnsville, Minn.

  • Trailer Trash’s Trashy Little Xmas Show: 7 p.m. at Turf Club, St. Paul

  • A Swingin’ Christmas With The Andrew Walesch Big Band: 7:30 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

Monday, Dec. 23

  • Sounds of Blackness The Night Before Christmas: 7 p.m. at Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis

  • Spending Christmas With Alicia Witt: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis

  • Ella Grace MNtet Holiday Show: 7:30 p.m. at Berlin, Minneapolis

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.