There are a lot of ways to celebrate the holidays, and that’s no more apparent than in Portland’s holiday concert schedule.
Holiday concerts highlight Celtic traditions, mariachi music, Hawaiian songs, Appalachian fiddlers, gospel choirs, soul singers, classical concerts, and new age ballads. There’s also the music from “Elf.”
The shows will take place all over the city, from the grand Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to local churches. The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton has also become a go-to venue for diverse holiday concerts. Wherever and however you celebrate the holidays, here are the local concerts for you.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
You can’t get much bigger than the Trans-Siberian Orchestra live at the Moda Center. This year, the arena rock juggernaut returns to town with its Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour, which will land in Portland the weekend before Thanksgiving.
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23; Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland; tickets $55-$162.10 available at rosequarter.com.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Chip Davis, founder of new age group Mannheim Steamroller that’s known for its modern take on Christmas songs, will return to Portland with a team of 15 musicians and a backdrop of multimedia effects.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St., Portland; tickets $65.45-$151.25 available at portland5.com.
The Storm Large Holiday Ordeal
Storm Large, Portland’s own “genre-fluid big mouth singer,” is once again staging her Holiday Ordeal over two nights at the Aladdin Theater. Large promises to bring “a cathartic mix of humor and heart to the season,” including holiday classics, rock-n-roll ballads, and tongue-in-cheek torch songs.
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 28-29; Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave., Portland; tickets $69.90-$93.26 available at aladdin-theater.com.
White Album Xmas
White Album Xmas is a “holiday circus spectacular” at the Alberta Rose Theatre that also serves as a tribute to The Beatles, featuring music from The NowHere Band and performances by the Rose City Circus. The show will run a dozen times between Thanksgiving and mid-December.
Nov. 28-Dec. 13; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St., Portland; tickets $55.25-$82.75 available at albertarosetheatre.com.
A Celtic Christmas
Celtic music group The Gothard Sisters are bringing a high energy holiday program to The Old Church with “A Celtic Christmas,” which they will perform twice over Thanksgiving weekend. The concert will include traditional songs, Christmas carols and Irish dancing.
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 29-30; The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland; tickets $39.50 available at tocportland.org.
The Singing Christmas Tree
One of Portland’s annual Christmas concerts, “The Singing Christmas Tree” is a night filled with traditional carols, nativity scenes, Santa costumes and holiday fun. The concert will run for nine nights starting Thanksgiving weekend.
Nov. 29-Dec. 7; Sunset Church, 14986 N.W. Cornell Road, Portland; tickets $27-$53.50 available at singingchristmastree.org.
Irish Christmas in America
Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada is bringing back the popular “Irish Christmas in America” performance, now in its 20th year. The show features music, song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4; Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets $45-$60 available at thereser.org.
Kalani Pe’a: Hawaiian Christmas
Hawaiian performer Kalani Pe’a is back with his “Hawaiian Christmas” show, singing Western holiday songs and traditional Hawaiian music at The Reser in Beaveron.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets $45-$70 available at thereser.org.
Wintersong
The annual “Wintersong” concert from the Portland Symphonic Choir includes holiday singalongs and the traditional singalong Hallelujah chorus. This year’s concert includes special guests from the Portland GirlChoir.
4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; First United Methodist Church, 1838 S.W. Jefferson St., Portland; tickets $30 available at pschoir.org.
Gospel Christmas
Billed as “Portland’s most joyful tradition,” the Gospel Christmas concert features some of the region’s best gospel singers alongside the Oregon Symphony. The performance will be conducted by Charles Floyd featuring the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 6-7; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland; tickets $34-$131 available at orsymphony.org.
Merry-achi Christmas
Conductor José Hernández leads Mariachi Sol de México in “Merry-achi Christmas,” a musical tribute to Mexico’s Christmas traditions that features classical, pop, jazz, swing and show tunes.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland; tickets $34-$87 available at orsymphony.org.
Handel’s Messiah
The Portland Baroque Orchestra is bringing back its four-night performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at the Sanctuary Hall in downtown Portland. Musicians will play the famous work on period instruments with “passion, power, and soul-stirring emotion.” This year’s performances will again include a two-hour “highlights” concert for more time-sensitive audiences.
Dec. 11-14; The Sanctuary Hall at the First Congregational Church, 1126 S.W. Park Ave., Portland; tickets $28-$92 available at pbo.org.
Holiday Pops
The Oregon Symphony plays all the popular holiday hits in “Holiday Pops” at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. The show is billed as a perfect family activity or holiday date night.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 13-14; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland; tickets $35-$132 available at orsymphony.org.
Michael Allen Harrison’s Christmas at The Old Church
Portland musician Michael Allen Harrison is known for his New Age works, as well as a prolific output of holiday music. His Christmas concerts at The Old Church feature gospel, blues and jazz singer Julianne Johnson.
Dec. 13-24; The Old Church, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave., Portland; tickets $35.50-$65.50 available at tocportland.org.
An Appalachian Christmas
String musicians Mark and Maggie O’Connor join forces for “An Appalachian Christmas,” coming to The Reser just before the holiday. The tour comes on the heels of the couple’s new album, “A Christmas Duo.”
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets $45-$65 available at thereser.org.
Portland Cello Project Holiday Show
The Portland Cello Project is bringing its holiday show to The Reser in Beaverton, performing holiday songs that you might not expect to hear on the cello. The group will perform two shows on the weekend of the winter solstice.
2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets $45-$65 available at thereser.org.
Everlasting Light – Christmas in the New World
The Portland Choir & Orchestra will perform “Everlasting Light – Christmas in the New World” at the Newmark Theatre, featuring the Encore Youth Choir and other guests.
2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland; tickets $26.75-$53.40 available at portland5.com.
A Very George Michael Christmas
George Michael’s legacy lives on with “A Very George Michael Christmas,” a holiday-themed concert featuring music from the beloved Wham! singer by tribute band The Careless Whispers, led by Portland artist Holcombe Waller.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St., Portland; tickets $55 available at albertarosetheatre.com.
Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular
An all-star cast of Portland soul musicians is gathering together for the 10th Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular, which will feature a range of holiday music from soulful renditions to traditional songs.
3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St., Portland; tickets $16.75-$37 available at albertarosetheatre.com.
Elf in Concert
What better way to watch classic movie “Elf” than on the big screen at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall? The Oregon Symphony will play John Debney’s score to the movie at “Elf in Concert,” an immersive holiday experience.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 20-21; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland; tickets $44-$151 available at orsymphony.org.
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