Celebrate the spirit of the season at holiday concerts around Houston

Pentatonix returns to Christmas touring | Courtesy of Pentatonix

Hear the sounds of the season with the return of many Christmas and holiday performances around Houston through December 2021. 

While you wait to unwrap the presents beneath the tree, the holiday season gets into full swing with a bevy of local and international talent bringing their Christmas and winter performances to Houston.

This year is made even more special as some of the most popular acts and performances will be returning to touring after sitting out in 2020.

Here is our guide to the best Holiday and Christmas concerts taking place around Houston in 2021:

2021 Christmas & Holiday Concerts Around Houston

Week of Monday, November 22 to Sunday, November 28, 2021

Week of Monday, November 29 to Sunday, December 5, 2021

  • Holly Jolly Jingle at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Thursday, December 2 | FREE – The annual tradition returns, bringing together students from Conroe ISD and high schools from the Woodlands for an evening of holiday medleys and popular tunes. Swing by early when gates open at 6pm to enjoy craft activities, snap a photo with Santa, or hop aboard the Candy Cane Express in the parking lot. Concert begins at 7pm.
  • It’s a John Waters Christmas at the Heights Theater | Friday, December 3 – The legendary comedian, director and writer arrives in the Heights for the 25th annual installment of his Christmas tour, bringing a raucous brand of holiday hilarity, searing takes and boisterous fun. Tickets range from $40 to $800. 8pm.
  • Latin Christmas with Houston Latin American Philharmonic at Wortham Theater Center | Friday, December 3 – Led by maestro Glenn Garrido, the Houston Latin American Philharmonic returns to the their traditional concert of seasonal works from the world of Latin American music, including villancicos, aguinaldos, parrandas, plena, salsa, gaitas and much more. Tickets range from $29 to $96. 8pm.
  • Houston Symphony presents Musical Treats from The Nutcracker at Jones Hall | Saturday, December 4 | Virtual Option – The holiday family concert returns for a Saturday morning full of selections from The Nutcracker and other holiday faves. The 11:30am performance will also be livestreamed. Tickets are $29. 10am and 11:30am.
  • KSBJ presents For King & Country’s A Drummer Boy Christmas at Toyota Center | Saturday, December 4 – The Christian pop duo, For King & Country, performs songs from their latest holiday album, A Drummer Boy Christmas, which rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Tickets range from $25 to $150, and include Q&A and merch opportunities. 7pm.
  • Chris Mitchell presents White Christmas at Hobby Center | Sunday, December 5 – Swoon to the sounds of jazz saxophonist Chris Mitchell as he delivers renditions of seasonal favorites like “White Christmas” and “Let it Snow.” Tickets start at $72. 7pm.
Will Hearn’s Grand Ol’ Christmas Show | Courtesy of the band

Week of Monday, December 6 to Sunday, December 12, 2021

  • Houston Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah at Jones Hall | Friday, December 10 to Sunday, December 12 | Virtual Option – The Houston Symphony and guest soloists will once again work their way through Handel’s Messiah in the return of the annual tradition at Jones Hall, including a choral performance of the exultant “Hallelujah.” The Saturday performance will also be livestreamed. Tickets range from $29 to $140. Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2:30pm.
  • ROCO Connections: Yuletide Brunch & Brass at Czech Center Museum Houston | Saturday, December 11 – The Museum District outpost of Czech culture, art and history plays host to a Saturday morning brunch and optional guided tours of the museum space, accompanied by holiday sounds from ROCO Brass Quintet. Tickets are $70 and includes food and drink. 11am.
  • Vicki Yohe & Orchestra Holiday Concert at Bender Theatre in Humble | Saturday, December 11 – Gospel singer-songwriter and worship leader will take to the stage with a live orchestra at the performing arts center in Humble to belt out holiday season classics. Tickets are $20. 7pm.
  • Carols on the Green at Discovery Green | Saturday, December 11 | FREE – Get your pipes ready to sing along with the Texas Southern University Concert Chorale and the PV Chamber Singers of Prairie View A&M University as they launch into classic carols in this annual sing-along event. 7:30pm.
  • Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Concert at Toyota Center | Sunday, December 12 – In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the classic Christmas album, Christmas Eve & Other Stories, the multi-platinum prog rock group returns to Houston for 2 shows that deliver electrifying performances in original and classical-inspired pieces. Tickets range from $25 to $90. 3pm and 7:30pm.

Week of Monday, December 13 to Sunday, December 19, 2021

  • The 12 Dames of Christmas with Angela Ingersoll at the George Theater | Monday, December 13 & Tuesday, December 14 – A.D. Players presents a special yuletide spectacular with Emmy-nominee Angela Ingersoll performing back-to-back shows of popular Christmas faves through the voices of a dozen divas, including Judy Garland, Julie Andres, Janis Joplin, and more. Tickets range from $36 to $75. 7:30pm.
  • Houston Symphony presents Very Merry POPS at Jones Hall | Saturday, December 18 & Sunday, December 19 | Virtual Option – Rodney Ingram makes a move from Broadway to the stage at Jones Hall to accompany the Houston Symphony in holiday selections and seasonal favorites, plus an appearance by Santa Claus himself. The second performance on Saturday will also be livestreamed. Tickets range from $29 to $154. Saturday at 2:30pm and 8pm; Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm.
  • Holiday Affair with Vivian Green at Grooves of Houston | Saturday, December 18 – The Third Ward bar and lounge welcomes R&B singer-songwriter Vivian Green to the stage as part of their Holiday Affair. Kitchen, bar and bottle service available. Tickets range from $25 to $500. 7pm.
  • A Christmas Symphony with Sarah Brightman at Smart Financial Centre | Saturday, December 18 – The multi-talented, Grammy-nominated English soprano is joined by an orchestra and choir for an evening of show-stopping renditions of holiday classics and fan favorites. Tickets range from $69.50 to $125. 7:30pm.
  • Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison: Holiday Shindig with Tony Kamel at the Heights Theater | Saturday, December 18 – The husband-and-wife duo of singer-songwriters return with another installment of their holiday special at the Heights Theater. Tickets range from $26 to $448. 8pm.

Week of Monday, December 20 to Sunday, December 26, 2021

  • Pentatonix in Concert at Smart Financial Centre | Tuesday, December 21 – Sugar Land welcomes the chart-topping, Grammy-winning a capella group known for their sensational renditions of pop hits and Christmas faves, including their latest holiday release, Evergreen, which brings them on tour to Smart Financial Centre. Tickets range from $39.50 to $149.50. 8pm.
  • Mannheim Steamroller at Smart Financial Centre | Sunday, December 26 – Celebrating their 35th anniversary of music making, the new age prog rock group returns to their annual Christmas tour, bringing musically rich renditions of holiday classics and original songs, perfect for the day after Christmas. Tickets range from $45 to $85. 7:30pm.
The Houston Symphony rolls out several holiday performances this year | Courtesy of Houston Symphony

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Justin Jerkins
A longtime Houstonian, Justin Jerkins always keeps an eye out for what's ahead on Houston's horizon while serving as Editor-in-Chief of 365 Things to Do in Houston. When he's not passing along the latest events, destinations and hidden treasures in H-Town, he loves diving into the city's food scene, shopping local and learning about Houston's rich history.