Our worlds are spinning so fast that many of us need a reminder that the holidays are roughly a month away.
If you’re slow to get on board, might we offer a few ideas to get you into the spirit?
We found a handful of holiday concerts and events, some that start next week, to ramp up your ho-ho-ho and inspire you to spread some holiday cheer of your own.
Of course, everything is subject to change, so we suggest you check before you head out.
Old Tucson is getting in the ho-ho spirit with "Yuletide," its annual holiday event in which the park is transformed into the West Pole just in time for Santa's arrival.
‘Yuletide’ in the Old West
... sort of
Fun fact: Santa’s base in the West is at Old Tucson.
OK, we actually don’t think that’s true, but the folks at the former Old West movie lot are sticking to their story. They even go so far as to transform the town of dirt roads and wooden sidewalks into a holiday Western wonderland dubbed The West Pole.
Welcome to “Yuletide” at Old Tucson, where holiday lights illuminate the Saloon in the center of town and garland and lights turn the Toltec Mine into a cozy Christmas invite.
Old Tucson puts on its holiday finery for “Yuletide,” its annual holiday event that opens Nov. 26. It runs through Jan. 4, 2025.
Old Tucson’s actors trade their dusty cowboy duds for more holiday-themed attire, from elf caps and top hats to bright-red felt capes and scarfs. The daily gunfights are mostly taking a holiday, replaced by holiday-themed vignettes, original musicals, a little magic and Santa Claus. “Yuletide” also has crafts activities for kids.
“Yuletide” opens Nov. 26 and runs through Jan. 4, 2025. Admission is $39 for adults, $24 for children ages 5-12 through oldtucson.com/tickets, where you can reserve a day and time.
‘Lessons & Carols By Candlelight’
True Concord Voices & Orchestra is performing two world premieres during its annual “Lessons & Carols by Candlelight: A Southwest Christmas” holiday concert Dec. 12-15.
Alongside traditional carols, the professional choir will perform several Mexican and Spanish carols arranged for choir, harp, guitar and percussion. But the centerpiece will be the world premieres of Jocelyn Hagen’s “A Christmas Carol,” based on Sara Teasdale’s 1911 poem of the same name; and Green Valley composer Gerald Near’s “Love Came Down At Christmas,” based on Christina Rossetti’s 1885 poem.
True Concord Voices & Orchestra, under Eric Holtan, center, will perform two world premieres at its annual “Lessons & Carols By Candlelight” holiday concerts.
Hagen composed the work for choir and harp as part of her season-long residency with True Concord. She and her husband, fellow choral composer Timothy C. Takach, are co-composers-in-residence for 2024-25.
True Concord founder and Music Director Eric Holtan said “A Christmas Carol” tells “the story of Christmas in a nutshell.” He described Hagen’s music as warm and energetic, with joyous glissandi from the harp heralding the crowd gathering to celebrate the birth.
Near dedicated “Love Came Down At Christmas” to True Concord, which has commissioned him in the past.
“He just gifted it to us. He said it was dedicated to me and True Concord,” Holtan said.
Performances will be at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., on Dec. 12 and 14; at Green Valley’s St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church, 600 S. La Cañada Drive, on Dec. 13; at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Fort Lowell Road, on Dec. 15 (matinee); and at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road, on Dec. 15. Tickets are $23.50-$63.50.
True Concord also will perform a holiday special at Skyline Country Club, 5200 E. St. Andrews Drive off East Skyline Drive and North Swan Road, at 5 p.m. Dec. 18. This is the dress-down, casual counterpart to “Lessons & Carols,” with the choir singing lighter, more eclectic holiday carols including from different cultures. Tickets, $50, are limited.
Tickets are available through trueconcord.org.
Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro brings his "Holidays in Hawai'i" show to Fox Tucson Theatre on Dec. 6.
Fox Tucson for the holidays
Historic Fox Tucson Theatre loves the holidays.
The downtown venue has nine holiday concerts, including the return of ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro and three holiday classic films.
It all kicks off Nov. 22 with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy‘s “Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party,” with fun arrangements of holiday classics (“Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and other chestnuts) through the lens of the swing and jazz legends.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brings its "Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party" to Fox Tucson Theatre on Friday, Nov. 22 — the first of several holiday events at the historic downtown venue through December.
In other words, step back and prepare for an adrenaline rush.
Tickets vary by show; for details and to buy, visit foxtucson.com.
Other Fox holiday events:
Judy Collins “Holiday & Hits” tour, Nov. 23
“Home Alone,” two screenings, Dec. 1
“Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas,” Dec. 5
Jake Shimabukuro “Holidays in Hawai’i” featuring Jackson Waldhoff and Justin Kawika Young, Dec. 6
Murray & Peter Present “A Drag Queen Christmas,” hosted by Nina West, Dec. 12
Mariachi Sol De Mexico de José Hernandez, Dec. 13
“Shadows of the ’60s: A Holiday Tribute to Motown,” Dec. 14
Tower of Power “Holidays & Hits Tour,” Dec. 18
Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” two screenings, Dec. 21
“It’s A Wonderful Life,” two screenings, Dec. 22
Jim Brickman “Comfort & Joy,” with special guests John Trones and Tracy Silverman, Dec. 28
Bianca Campbell auditioned last August for Ballet Tucson’s 2024 production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Tucson Symphony Orchestra is performing the score in performances at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall Dec. 20-22.
Magic of ‘Messiah’
and ‘Nutcracker’
Guest conductor Christopher Allen will lead the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in Handel’s “Messiah,” a work that puts the holidays into perspective for many folks.
The TSO Chorus, under director Marcela Molina, gets a vocal lift from four guest soloists — soprano Zoe Allen, mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, tenor Matthew Newhouse and baritone Levi Hernandez.
The Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, under the direction of Marcela Molina, will be in action for “Messiah” Dec. 21-22.
Performances are Dec. 21 and 22 at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive. Tickets are $45-$91 through tucsonsymphony.org.
- The symphony is partnering again with Ballet Tucson for Tchaikovsky’s perennial holiday tradition “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 20-22 at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. For tickets and details, visit ballettucson.org.
- And while “Frozen” In Concert may not be a holiday event, it’s based on winter, which is holiday-esque. The TSO, with guest conductor Evan Roider at the podium, will perform all the movie’s stuck-in-your-head songs from the ubiquitous “Let It Go” to “Do You Want to Build A Snowman” while the movie plays on a big screen. Performances are on Dec. 7-8 at the Music Hall; $19-$79.
- Arizona Repertory Singers brings its "Oh, Wondrous Night!" holiday concerts to the stage Dec. 7-8 at Christ Church United Methodist, 666 N. Craycroft Road; and Dec. 15 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 2727 W. Tangerine Road in Oro Valley. Expect to hear familiar carols and choral classics as the choir wraps up its 40th anniversary year. Tickets are $22 in advance at arsingers.org, $25 at the door. Students with ID are free.
Roseanne Lopez peruses the handcrafted gifts during last year’s Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul. Holiday Nights run weekends Dec. 7-22.
