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Top 10 Holiday Concerts in NYC

Whether you’re in the mood for classic Christmas carols, Handel’s Messiah, or something a little off the beaten path, there are lots of ways to enjoy holiday music in New York City. Here are ten holiday-themed concerts you can check out this December.

Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden

Taylor Swift

A holiday music institution, Jingle Ball brings you some of the biggest acts in the world to kick off December right. Taylor Swift headlines the evening, accompanied by Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, and many others. Happening Dec. 8, this Madison Square Garden show will pack so much in, you’ll think the holidays have already come and gone once it’s over. 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, 212-465-6225, msg.com

Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom

Indie rock group Yo La Tengo will play a week of holiday shows for Hanukkah this year, a tradition we all thought they’d dropped five years ago. Go to the Bowery Ballroom for their heartfelt, guitar-shredding sound. Dec. 12 through 19. 6 Delancey St.,  212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com

Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Brass at the New York Philharmonic

New York Philharmonic  

Dec. 12 through 16, New York’s renowned symphony orchestra plays one of the foundational Christmas anthems in Handel’s Messiah. A choir will sing along in exquisite harmony, including the famous “Hallelujah!” chorus. On the afternoon of Dec. 17, the Philharmonic showcases its brass and percussion instruments as they play more holiday tunes. David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-875-5656, nyphil.org

New York Pops and Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall’s winter programming includes concerts with the exceptional choral group the New York Pops. Their show, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” will feature Megan Hilty and Essential Voices USA on December 15 and 16. Carnegie Hall will also present Handel’s Messiah, with accompanying vocal performances by Oratorio Society of New York on Dec. 18 and Musica Sacra on the 21st. 881 Seventh Ave., 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org

“Ingrid Michaelson’s 11th Annual Holiday Hop” at Terminal 5

Get excited! Indie-pop goddess Ingrid Michaelson (of the recent single “Hell No”) plays holiday songs with the band A Great Big World in Midtown West this winter season. Dec. 14, 610 W. 56th St., terminal5nyc.com

“Norm Lewis: Santa Baby!” at Feinstein’s/54 Below

Norm Lewis

For the third year in a row, the Tony-nominated Norm Lewis (Porgy and Bess, The Phantom of the Opera, Scandal) brings his holiday revue to the space below Studio 54. Some of the songs will include “All I Want for Christmas,” “This Christmas,” and “Where is Love?” If past years are any indication, these carols and songs will get a toe-tapping rock and R&B treatment from band members George Farmer and Perry Cavari. Dec. 18 through 23. 254 W. 54th St., 646-476-3551 54below.com

The West Village Chorale in the Village

In case you’re looking for more places to hear Handel’s Messiah, The West Village Chorale will be performing the unmistakeable multipart harmonies at an outdoor performance in Washington Square Park on December 3. On Dec. 17, the choir will walk around the Village singing carols for all to hear. They invite you to join in the merriment and join them at Judson Memorial Church for treats afterward! 239 Thompson St., westvillagechorale.org

“Early Music New York: Burgundian Christmas” at Cathedral of St. John the Divine 

The group Early Music New York plays music from the medieval through the classical eras of history. As part of their residency at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights, EM/NY will play “historically informed” carols and motets at four performances in the St. James Chapel at one of the city’s most breathtakingly beautiful landmarks. December 10, 17, and 25. 1047 Amsterdam Ave., 212-280-0330, earlymusicny.org

“A Pentatonix Christmas Tour” at The Beacon Theatre

Pentatonix

A cappella sensation Pentatonix comes to the Beacon Theatre for its holiday tour. You’ll hear pitch-perfect Christmas music, all without instruments, from group members Scott Hoying, Kristie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Avi Kaplan and Kevin "K.O." Olusola. Dec. 19 through 21. 2124 Broadway, bowerypresents.com

Mike Errico Holiday Show at Rockwood Music Hall 

Singer-songwriter Mike Errico returns to Rockwood’s intimate, vibey Stage 3 on Dec. 15 for his holiday concert, bringing heaps of seasonal cheer in tow. 196 Allen St., rockwoodmusichall.com

About the Author

Merrill Lee Girardeau lives and writes in Brooklyn.

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