The end of the year means twinkling lights, smoke-filled chimneys, and a feeling of magic in the air. The holidays bring a sense of joy and wonder to people of all ages. Celebrate the season in Chattanooga with a variety of live Christmas music that is sure to put you and your family in the holiday spirit.
2025 Holiday Music and Performances Schedule
Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Presents Handel's Messiah
Dec. 5 - 7 | Times Vary | First Presbyterian Church
Handel's Messiah is back after selling out all shows in 2022 and 2023, with an extra performance added! Experience the profound beauty and resounding choral harmonies of this cherished seasonal treasure in the historic First Presbyterian Church. This evocative selection of movements perfectly captures the essence of Handel’s masterpiece, including the world-famous Hallelujah Chorus.
Doyle Dykes Christmas Concert
Dec. 9 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Songbirds
Is it time for Christmas music yet? Get in the holiday spirit with Doyle Dykes, legendary American guitarist, as he performs Christmas songs and shares stories in an intimate performance at Songbirds. In the spirit of the giving season, this show will be a fundraiser to help further our mission. All profit on our end will be directed to our Guitars for Kids program which provides THOUSANDS of free guitars, in-depth music therapy, and over 100,000 hours of free music education to kids across the south each year. Go to www.songbirdsfoundation.org to find out more about our work!
The JOHNNYSWIM Christmas Show
Dec. 12 | 8:00 PM | The Walker Theatre
JOHNNYSWIM, composed of the magnetic duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, effortlessly enthralls audiences with their heartfelt melodies, intertwining personal experiences and imaginative tales. Their music is a vibrant tapestry woven with memories, emotions, and dreams, blending singer-songwriter tradition with alternative flair, rock vigor, and pop ambition. Through extensive touring, they've cultivated a devoted fanbase worldwide, connecting deeply with listeners. Critics from NPR, The New York Times, Huffington Post, Nylon, and Rolling Stone have hailed JOHNNYSWIM's blend of Folk, Pop, and Blues as "captivating and unforgettable." Their electrifying performances on shows like The Today Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live have enchanted audiences, reinforcing their dynamic presence in the music realm.
A Holly Dolly Christmas - Music + Food
Dec. 12 | 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Songbirds
Join us for a magical evening of festive cheer at Songbirds on Friday, December 12th, as we present an exclusive dinner-and-a-show featuring music by locally beloved wife & husband duo Amber Carrington & Dran Lewis, along with their band of talented friends. Plus, a delicious southern menu by Chatter Box Cafe! This special edition of our Music + Food series will celebrate the season with a heartwarming performance of Christmas songs that will fill the air with holiday spirit and Dolly Parton classics! Buy your tickets today and get ready to celebrate the holidays like never before.
Chattanooga Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Dec. 12 - 14 | Times Vary | Memorial Auditorium
Featuring the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera playing live and over 200 students from Chattanooga Ballet's School. Join young Clara at her parents' festive holiday party, where she receives a magical Nutcracker doll from her godfather, Drosselmeyer. This gift sparks a fantastical adventure, transporting Clara from the battlefield with the Rat King to the enchanting Land of Snow and the dazzling Land of Sweets. This timeless tale of courage and wonder is perfect for the whole family. Chattanooga Ballet invites you to celebrate the season with Chattanooga's most cherished holiday tradition, The Nutcracker!
Robert Earl Keen Presents "The Greatest Christmas on Earth"
Dec. 13 | 8:00 PM | The Walker Theatre
No two creative lives unfold the same way, and for Robert Earl Keen, the story was never going to end with a quiet retreat. After decades on the road, with 21 albums, countless shows, songs sung by legends like George Strait and The Highwaymen, and honors ranging from the BMI Troubadour Award to the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, he might have had every reason to slow down. But Keen has always seen the open road as a beginning, never an end.
Jingle Jam - A Christmas Spectacular & Live Concert
Dec. 13 & 14 | 5:00 PM | Metro Tab Church
At Jingle Jam, you will enjoy harmonious medleys of classic and contemporary holiday songs. Be on the lookout for beloved characters including the Grinch, Queen Elsa, Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa Claus! Amid all the yuletide revelries enjoy popcorn, hot cocoa, inflatables, snowball fights, ornament decorating, a gingerbread house competition, and much more! Jingle Jam is free so bring your friends and family along as we celebrate the greatest gift! Space and seating are limited. So don’t be late!
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas
Dec. 15 | 7:30 PM | The Walker Theatre
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas celebrates the gift of family, the gift of friends, the gift of peace, and the gift of love, wrapped up in sweet sounds of the season only he and his piano can provide. Join Jim Brickman and friends this Christmas season for an unforgettable concert experience filled with music, laughter & heartwarming stories. Audiences can expect a captivating blend of timeless holiday classics, along with Brickman's biggest hits like 'The Gift,' 'Love of my Life,' 'Destiny,' 'Valentine' and joyfully unexpected surprises. Escape with Jim Brickman to a magical atmosphere that brings friends and family together to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Dec. 18 | 7:00 PM | Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Share the joy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet with family and friends. Give the gift of a spectacular holiday experience featuring an international cast, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, hand-crafted by the finest artisans of Europe. Go back to a simpler time and make memories your family will cherish forever. Celebrate the season with America?s most beloved Nutcracker tradition! Tchaikovsky?s timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget. Get tickets today!
North Georgia Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 18 - 27 | Times Vary | The Colonnade Theatre
The North Georgia Holiday Spectacular is a large, high-energy, holiday musical production that features the area’s most talented singers and dancers, comedians, stilt walkers and more! The whole family will enjoy dazzling production numbers, dancing elves, and Santa Claus himself. Journey to Santa’s workshop where toy soldiers come to life, be enchanted by the magic of Frozen, and marvel at our on-stage nativity and celebration of the birth of Christ! Start a new family tradition at the North Georgia Holiday Spectacular!
Chattanooga Symphony and Opera's Home for the Holidays
Dec. 20 & 21 | Times Vary | Memorial Auditorium
Home for the Holidays is one of Chattanooga’s most treasured holiday events! The perfect seasonal celebration for the whole family, Home for the Holidays features the CSO, CSO Chorus, a variety of community groups, and even the big man himself! Be sure to arrive early to have your picture taken with Santa and to drop your letter in the special North Pole post box!
