Skip to main content

Let the Holidays ‘Show’ Your Family a Good Time

ParentMap’s annual December arts guide

Published on: November 28, 2022

Let the Holidays ‘Show’ Your Family a Good Time

orchestra on a stage playing music with a video of a snowman playing behind them
Photo:
Seattle Symphony's Family Concert "The Snowman"

Holiday music

‘Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawai‘i’ 
Folks from Olympia to Seattle can kick off Christmas with the spirit of aloha. Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro brings Hawaii to your holidays with a mix of classic Christmas carols, holiday pop songs and selections from “Jake & Friends.” He’ll be joined on stage by Jackson Waldhoff, Justin Kawika Young and Herb Ohta Jr. Dec. 9, $45–$69 at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Olympia; Dec. 10, $40 and up at Moore Theatre, Seattle 

Symphony Tacoma: Holiday Favorites and Handel’s ‘Messiah 
Symphony Tacoma offers two holiday options this year. On Dec. 4, don’t miss a matinee of its annual chorale concert of family favorites at Pantages Theater. On the evening of Dec. 16 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” will feature its classic oratorio performed by Symphony Tacoma Voices. $24–$87. Pantages Theatre and St. Charles Borromeo Church, Tacoma

The Snowman’ 
Enjoy the classic children’s film about a snowman who comes to life and takes a little boy to the North Pole at Seattle Symphony’s Family Concert, designed for ages 6–12. In addition to the film, there will be a musical program, including “Carol of the Bells” and childhood favorite “Jingle Bells,” as well as Howard Blake’s “The Snowman.” Dec. 3. $15–$25. Benaroya Hall, Seattle

On Earth, Peace! 
In honor of the 150th birthday of Ralph Vaughan Williams, the Vashon Island Chorale will perform “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” together with some of the composer’s shorter, seasonally appropriate works and songs by his contemporaries, including Gerald Finzi’s “In terra pax.” The choir will be accompanied by a local string orchestra. Dec. 10–11. $20. Vashon Center for the Arts, Vashon Island

Maccabeats’ Hanukkah Concert 
A cappella Jewish music vocalists the Maccabeats integrate traditional and secular sounds in an all-ages show with an eclectic repertoire of Jewish and Israeli songs, pop hits and signature mashups, such as the Hanukkah parody “Candlelight.” In-person tickets sold out in October, but you can still buy virtual tickets or get on the waiting list for in-person possibilities. Dec. 4. $30. Stroum Jewish Community Center, Mercer Island

‘Kalani Pe‘a Christmas Show’ 
Three-time Grammy winner Kalani Pe‘a kicks off the holidays with his “Hawaiian contemporary soul,” performing a mix of Hawaiian favorites and Christmas standards, sung in both English and Hawaiian. Dec. 1. $19–$49. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 
Thirty-five years ago, Mannheim Steamroller released its first Christmas album. This holiday season, Grammy winner Chip Davis offers families a chance to celebrate that anniversary with the “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” multimedia show, set to the signature holiday sounds of Mannheim Steamroller. Dec. 16. $30–$59. Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett

MCE: Carols and Bells 
Combining the traditions of handbell ringing and singing carols, the Masterworks Chorale Ensemble and the Celebration Handbell Ensemble are joining forces in a concert to ring — and sing — in the holiday season with family and friends. Dec. 3. $24. Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Olympia

Seattle Men’s Chorus’ ‘Holiday Falala-liday 
The Seattle Men’s Chorus is back with a holiday concert featuring Christmas carols presented with a mix of nostalgia and humor, plus a conga line and sing-along. Benaroya Hall is making an exception to its “no children younger than 5” policy for the Dec. 23 matinee performance, which will be only one hour in duration and emphasize the dance numbers and sing-along. Dec. 2–23, $29–$102. Venues in Seattle, Tacoma and Everett 

Tacoma Concert Band: ‘Sound the Bells 
One of the earliest holiday concerts in the area, Tacoma Concert Band kicks off the holiday season with “Sound the Bells,” a family-friendly holiday music matinee on Nov. 27. $21–$39. Pantages Theater, Tacoma

Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition 
This fundraiser for the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank is moving back to Pike Place Market this year. Dozens of caroling teams will compete to outsing each other under the market’s iconic clock and sign. Kids will relish being out after dark while families do their holiday shopping and enjoy seasonal drinks and treats, all accompanied by carols for a good cause. Dec. 2. Free. Pike Place Market, Seattle

Jim Brickman: ‘A Very Merry Christmas 
Songwriter-pianist Jim Brickman’s holiday tour, “A Very Merry Christmas,” celebrates music, love and family. The program includes festive favorites and Brickman’s own hit songs, including “The Gift,” “Sending You a Little Christmas,” “Angel Eyes” and “If You Believe.” Dec. 4. $45–$80. Benaroya Hall, Seattle

Blessings in Bethlehem 
Ensign Symphony & Chorus performs to bless and uplift audiences with inspiring sacred and secular music. Its joyous Christmas concert celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Dec. 12. $25–$45. Benaroya Hall, Seattle

Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor: ‘Home for the Holidays 
Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor’s “Home for the Holidays” concert will include performances of some of the duo’s best-known songs, together with holiday classics and songs from Bonoff’s holiday album “Silent Night.” Dec. 21. $19–$54. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds

The Coats: ‘Annual Holiday Show’ 
A Benaroya holiday tradition, singing quartet The Coats returns with another uplifting holiday concert of catchy, danceable songs performed with impressive vocal range and harmonies. Dec. 17–18. $50. Benaroya Hall, Seattle

Holiday Pops 
Stuart Chafetz conducts Seattle Symphony and vocalist Dee Donasco in a cheerful program full of popular holiday favorites and traditional carols. Dec. 9–11. $36–$127. Benaroya Hall, Seattle

A Festival of Lessons and Carols 
The 80-member combined Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! present the story of the Nativity told through reading, choral setting and audience carols. Dec. 9–21. $25–$83. Multiple venues in Lynnwood, Medina and Seattle

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ 
If you only recognize one piece of classical music, the chances are good that it’s the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” For many Northwest families, the Seattle Symphony’s performance is an annual tradition. But every family should hear it performed live with a full chorus and talented soloists at least once. Dec. 16–18. $25–$85. Benaroya Hall, Seattle

Geoffrey Castle’s ‘Celtic Christmas Celebration 
Geoffrey Castle’s Celtic Christmas concert upends expectations, with music performed on Castle’s electric six-string violin. It’s nothing like the Christmas concerts of your own childhood, but it’s becoming a Northwest holiday tradition. Dec. 22–23. $41. Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland

Hometown Holiday 
The music may not be entirely holiday-themed, but 100.7 The Wolf’s “Hometown Holiday” is arguably Seattle’s hottest country music event of the year, and it is certainly festive. This year, the lineup includes Brett Young, Elle King, Nate Smith, Bailey Zimmerman, Ashley Cooke, Corey Kent and Michael Ray. Dec. 9. $30–$145. Accesso Showare Center, Kent

Brass Choir Holiday Show 
For folks who like their music loud, enjoy a brassy concert by the horn section of the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. Dec. 10. $10–$13. Westminster Presbyterian, Olympia

Messiah Sing-Along 
Why let the experts have all of the fun? At Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia’s ‘Messiah Sing-Along,” you can come to sing or just to listen. If you want to sing, a concert program and recordings are available on the SOGO website so that you can practice ahead of time. Dec. 19. Free. Washington Center, Olympia

Up next: Unique treats

Share this resource with your friends!