Holiday music is back in a big way this year, and there’s something for everyone. Whether you like brass bands or Celtic music, whether you want traditional Christmas carols or a holiday “ordeal,” from November through December, getting into the holiday spirit through song should be no problem in Portland.
Here are 27 events to get you started.
‘The Singing Christmas Tree’
If you’re looking for traditional songs and all the Christmas classics like a nativity and Santa and his elves, it might be time to experience “The Singing Christmas Tree.”
Various times and days, Nov. 5-Dec. 3, Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 N.W. Cornell Road; tickets start at $27, singingchristmastree.org or 503-557-8733.
‘Mannheim Steamroller Christmas’
Sing-a-long to synthy versions of Christmas hits like “Deck the Halls” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” at the Schnitz this November. It will feel just like an ‘80s Christmas morning.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $35, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘The Storm Large Holiday Ordeal’
Storm Large will put on her annual "Holiday Ordeal" again this year.LC- Thomas Boyd
Portland’s favorite “lounge core” singer Storm Large is back to “delight and abuse you” this holiday season. Be prepared to laugh, sing and maybe meet a few special guests along the way.
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 24-25, Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.; tickets start at $56, aladdin-theater.com or 503-234-9694 ext. 2.
‘Micheal Allen Harrison Presents: An Old Fashioned Christmas’
Pianist and songwriter Michael Allen Harrison will join his friend and singer Julianne Johnson, as well as a band, up-and-coming artists and even children for a holiday show over the Thanksgiving weekend.
2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $43.50, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘White Album Xmas’
The NowHere Band and Rose City Circus are once again part of Portland’s Beatles tribute Christmas show and “circus spectacular” running at the Alberta Rose in November and December.
Various times and days, Nov. 30-Dec. 16, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets start at $42.50, albertarosetheatre.com or 503-719-6055.
‘Kalani Pe’a’s Hawaiian Christmas’
Award-winning Hawaiian musician Kalani Pe’a brings Christmas music with both Western and Hawaiian roots to the Reser this holiday season.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $35, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘Celtic Christmas’
It’s the holiday season again and so the Gothard Sisters are at The Old Church for two nights, sharing Celtic music, Christmas songs and Irish dancing.
7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 1-2, The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 S.W. 11th Ave.; tickets $35 for adults, theoldchurch.org or 503-222-2031.
‘Handel’s Messiah’
“Handel’s Messiah” is a quintessential piece of holiday music. At these performances, the Portland State University Chamber Choir and a quartet of soloists join the Oregon Symphony, conducted by Christopher Allen.
Various times Saturday-Monday, Dec. 2-4, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $25, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘The Night Before Christmas’
This year’s theme for The Big Horn Brass Holiday concert is “The Night Before Christmas” and it will start with a performance by the 15-member St. Matthew Exaltation Handbell Ensemble followed by holiday favorites from the brass band like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $15, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘Holiday Brass’
For another brass band experience, join the Oregon Symphony brass section conducted by Raul Gomez-Rojas for the full sounds of holiday classics.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $20, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
The Klezmatics
Experience the happiness of Woody Guthrie’s “Happy Joyous Hanukkah” with the only klezmer band to ever win a Grammy.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $30, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas’
Join award-winning fiddler and composer Mark O’Connor and his award-winning wife Maggie O’Connor for bluegrass and Americana takes on holiday tunes.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $40, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘ISing Choir Winterfest with Big Horn Brass Trombone Consort’
This year’s ISing Choir winter holiday performance will feature the Big Horn Brass Trombone Consort and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach under the direction of Stephen Galván.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; $14, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘Gospel Christmas’ with the Oregon Symphony
Gospel Christmas with the Oregon Symphony (Courtesy of Oregon Symphony)
The Oregon Symphony and regional gospel singers join forces to share the joy of gospel music for the 24th year of this holiday experience.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $25, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘A Very Merry Mariachi Christmas Concert’
Oregon Symphony holiday concerts (Courtesy of Oregon Symphony)
Once again, conductor José Hernández leads Mariachi Sol de México in a musical celebration of Mexico’s Christmas traditions featuring classical music, pop tunes and more.
7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $15, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘Comfort & Joy’
The Oregon Symphony brings joy to the Schnitz with their annual holiday sing-a-long. Feel the spirit of the season as you lift your voice to songs like “O Holy Night” and “Sleigh Ride.”
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $25, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
Kristin Chenoweth with the Oregon Symphony
Broadway, films, and TV star Kristin Chenoweth joins the Oregon Symphony to celebrate her album “Happiness ... is Christmas!”
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $45, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘Aaron Meyer Rock The Holidays’
“Concert Rock Violinist” Aaron Meyer brings the heat to holiday songs from Vivaldi to The Who alongside special guests including The Brown Sisters.
2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $44, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert’
The Oregon Symphony performs the score of this family holiday classic while it plays on the big screen. A musical event for muppets of all ages.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $35, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘Pink Martini: Home(town) for the Holidays with the Oregon Symphony’
China Forbes, lead singer with the Portland-based band, Pink Martini. (Photo: Victor Diaz Lamich)
Portland’s favorite big band, Pink Martini, joins forces with the Oregon Symphony for a night of holiday music.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-21, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $45, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas’
Experience the cozy and joyful spirit of a traditional Irish Christmas with music and dancing as Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas builds a Christmas scene in a remote farmhouse in the parish of Teampall an Ghleanntáin at The Reser.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $35, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘3 Leg Torso Presents The Elvises of Frostländ’
3 Leg Torso and friends create holiday magic in “The Elvises of Frostländ,” a musical tale of toy building and joy.
7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 22-23, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets start at $20, albertarosetheatre.com or 503-719-6055.
John Nilsen Holiday Concert
Oregon pianist John Nilsen will play a solo piano holiday concert in Lake Oswego this December, featuring familiar holiday tunes and original compositions.
7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Dec. 21-22, Lake Theater, 106 N. State St., Lake Oswego; tickets start at $25, lakelively.square.site or 503-387-3236.
‘Portland Cello Project Under the Mistletoe with Saeeda Wright’
A twist on a holiday concert brought to you by “The Pacific Northwest’s premiere alt-classical ensemble” and vocalist Saeeda Wright
7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 22-23, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $35, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘New Years in Old Vienna’
Get ready to ring in the new year with a gala celebration with the Portland Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Yaacov Bergman. Say “Tschüss!” to 2023 with the music of 19th-century Vienna.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $19, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
New Year’s Concert in Portland
What better way to prepare for 2024 than with Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”? Join the Oregon Symphony, Portland State University Chamber Choir and Oregon Repertory Singers for and the rest of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 30-31, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $25, orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
‘Kid’s New Year’s Eve’
Musician and storyteller Joe Kye.
Kids deserve a New Year’s Eve party too! Bring your little ones to The Reser for music from Mr. Ben, Arietta Ward and Joe Kye plus family activities and local food vendors. For kids 10 and under, and their guardians.
11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets start at $10, thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
— Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker
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