Updated: Sunday, December 6, 2020
Take in virtual and live music with our Top 12 picks for concerts and live music in Houston for December 2020.
As calendars start to book up again, we’ve dug in to find our picks for the best concerts and live music to check out this month. Music venues across Greater Houston have taken great efforts to host talented musicians from the surrounding region and beyond in a safe, socially distanced manner.
Each venue has detailed information on their efforts to make concert-going experiences safe, so please check with the live music venue before deciding whether to attend. In some cases, venues are also hosting live-stream concerts alongside in-person options so you may find a way to enjoy this month’s concerts based on what is safe for you.
Want to dig deeper for what’s on offer at live music venues this month? Check out our full concert list for upcoming live music and shows in Houston.
Top 12 Concerts & Live Music in Houston: December 2020
- St. Paul & The Broken Bones at White Oak Music Hall – Lawn | Wednesday, December 2 – The eight-piece southern soul band from Alabama drops by the lawn at White Oak Music Hall for an outdoor, socially distanced performance using WOMH’s GRID layout. Tickets start at $150 for up to six people. 7pm.
- Travis Tritt at Arena Theatre | Friday, December 4 – The award-winning country music star makes a stop at the Arena Theatre in southwest Houston. Tickets start at $59 but you may find better or cheaper seats on the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 8pm.
- Folk Family Revival at Main Street Crossing in Tomball | Friday, December 4 – Out of Magnolia, Texas, the Americana country band takes the stage in Tomball. Tickets start at $50 for a table for two; $70 for a table for four. 8pm.
- 30th Annual Noise for Toys Fundraiser at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck | Tuesday, December 8 | No Cover – This year’s fundraiser concert heads outdoors to Mucky Duck’s patio stage, with music from John Evans, The Voice semi-finalist Sarah Grace, singer-songwriter Shake Russell, Libby Koch and more. No cover charge, but admission is bringing one unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 1 and 12. 6pm.
- Struggle Jennings, with Brianna Harness and Nuke Bushner at Scout Bar in Clear Lake | Wednesday, December 9 – The Nashville country rapper (and relative of country legend Waylon Jennings) makes an appearance in Clear Lake’s Scout Bar. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door; $50 for a reserved table, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 8pm.
- Kevin Russell (of Shinyribs) at The Heights Theater | Thursday, December 10 – Frontman for the swamp-pop-soul supergroup, Shinyribs, Russell brings his Gulf Coast roots music to The Heights’ stage for two socially distanced solo shows. Tickets start at $28. Shows at 6pm and 8:45pm.
- Two Tons of Steel at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck | Friday, December 11 | In-Person & Virtual – The San Antonio-based rockabilly band finds its way to the stage at Upper Kirby’s Mucky Duck for an in-person and virtually broadcast performance. Tickets are $120 for a table for four; $180 for a table for six. The show will also be broadcast free on the Mucky Duck’s Facebook and YouTube pages. 7pm.
- Tab Benoit at Dosey Doe’s The Big Barn in The Woodlands (POSTPONED) | Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12 – [12/6: This performance has been moved to February 2021] The award-winning blues guitarist appears in The Woodlands for two nights of seated, socially distanced performances. Tickets start at $78. Both shows at 8pm.
- Jack Ingram at The Heights Theater | Friday, December 18 – The award-winning country music artist brings his charted hits to The Heights stage for two socially distanced sets. Tickets start at $28. Shows at 6pm and 8:45pm.
- Vince King Christmas Show at Main Street Crossing in Tomball | Friday, December 18 – Hear the hits of Elvis, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and more at the annual Elvis look-and-sound-alike Christmas show from Vince King. Tickets start at $37. 8pm.
- La Mafia at Arena Theatre | Saturday, December 19 – Houston’s own Grammy Award-winning grupero seven-piece takes the stage for a Christmas concert at Arena Theatre. Tickets start at $39, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 8pm.
- KT Tunstall at Dosey Doe’s The Big Barn in The Woodlands (CANCELED) | Wednesday, December 23 – [12/2: This performance has been canceled] The award-winning Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist appears for a pre-Christmas performance in The Woodlands. Tickets start at $78. 8pm.
Social Distancing & COVID-19
Businesses and organizations in Houston have opened under modified protocols, following guidelines administered by local health officials, the State of Texas and CDC. At this time, guidance from experts urges people to continue wearing face masks when in public spaces, practice social distancing of at least six feet, limit your touching of surfaces and frequently use hand sanitizer or soap and water to keep your hands clean.
Although vaccines have been approved and distribution has begun, supplies are still limited. Health officials have severely cautioned that it will take until late spring 2021 before the U.S. might be able to expect a level of herd immunity. In the meantime, masks are strongly advised to help curb the increasing spread of COVID-19 this winter.
Before heading out, take time to familiarize with your destination’s requirements or restrictions at this moment, and be sure to contact them ahead of time with any questions or concerns.
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