5 Christmas Concert Tours You Don’t Want to Miss in 2026
December 2026 brings five must-see holiday tours to arenas and theaters across North America: Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 30th anniversary run of “Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” Pentatonix’s “Christmas in the City” arena tour, Straight No Chaser’s “Making Spirits Bright” tour, Old Crow Medicine Show’s holiday tour, and Chris Tomlin’s “Good News of Great Joy” tour.
Every December, arenas and theaters across the country trade in their usual lineups for something a little more festive. For millions of fans, catching a Christmas concert has become as much a part of the season as decorating the tree or gathering around the table. Some of these shows are once-a-year traditions built around a single legendary act. Others are massive touring productions that hit dozens of cities in weeks. Either way, the month delivers a run of live music that simply doesn’t exist the other 11 months of the year.
This year brings something extra: a milestone anniversary for one of the genre’s biggest names, a fresh Christmas tour from a Grammy-winning pop group, and a handful of theater tours offering a more intimate experience than a typical arena show. Below is a rundown of the five best holiday concerts touring or opening this December, what makes each one worth attending, and how far in advance you should lock in your tickets.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 30th anniversary tour
Trans-Siberian Orchestra built its reputation on a simple formula: take classic rock instrumentation, add a full symphonic arrangement, and set it on fire (literally, with pyrotechnics to match). This December, that formula gets a milestone upgrade. “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” runs November 19 through December 30, 2026, marking 30 years since the band released its debut album, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”
Two full touring companies, known as the East and West troupes, crisscross North America simultaneously, so the show is playing somewhere near you almost every night of the season. Expect reimagined staging, a heavier laser show, and the kind of production scale that only comes around on an anniversary tour.
Because TSO plays arenas in dozens of cities, tickets are relatively easy to find outside of peak weekend dates. That said, shows within the final ten days before Christmas move fast, and East and West troupe schedules (along with their setlists) can differ by market.
Pentatonix’s “Christmas in the City” tour
Pentatonix didn’t just popularize a cappella holiday music; it built an entire touring business around it. The Grammy-winning group’s 2026 arena tour, “Christmas in the City,” runs 28 dates from November 5 through December 22, opening in Tacoma and wrapping up at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
The tour’s broad footprint across the United States and Canada makes it one of the most accessible holiday shows on this list. If you’re outside a major market, there’s a real chance a date lands within driving distance. Pentatonix’s holiday shows also draw a genuinely multi-generational crowd.
Straight No Chaser’s “Making Spirits Bright” tour
Straight No Chaser has spent nearly two decades turning a cappella arrangements of Christmas carols (and a few comedic originals) into a genuine holiday institution. The group’s “Making Spirits Bright” tour returns for 2026 with stops in theaters nationwide, often joined by a local vocal ensemble at each tour stop for an added community touch.
One confirmed date worth flagging: December 27 at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center, in the Walt Disney Theater. Because Straight No Chaser plays theaters rather than arenas, seat counts are far smaller than a Pentatonix or TSO show. If a stop near you is on the schedule, grab tickets early to secure your preferred seats.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s Holiday Hootenanny Tour 2026
Old Crow Medicine Show brings a roots-driven twist to the holiday season with their 2026 holiday tour. Known for their high-energy blend of old-time string band music, bluegrass, and Americana, the Grammy-winning group channels the warmth and spirit of the holidays through fiddles, banjos, and full-throated harmonies. Their holiday shows are equal parts barn dance and Christmas celebration — a welcome alternative to the orchestral and pop-leaning acts elsewhere on this list.
Old Crow Medicine Show tends to play mid-size theaters and intimate venues, so seat counts are smaller than the arena-scale shows on this list. If a date near you gets announced, it’s worth grabbing tickets early to lock in your preferred seats.
Chris Tomlin’s “Good News of Great Joy” tour
Chris Tomlin is one of the most recognizable names in contemporary Christian and worship music, and his Christmas tour draws a large, devoted audience that’s genuinely underserved by the pop and rock-leaning acts elsewhere on this list. “Good News of Great Joy” runs November 30 through December 18, 2026, hitting mid-size theaters including Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre, Detroit’s Fisher Theatre, Indianapolis’s Murat Theatre, Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater, and Cincinnati’s Taft Theatre.
Tomlin’s shows consistently perform well in these theater-sized venues, and demand is usually strong early in the season. If a city further along the tour still has tickets available, it’s worth acting sooner rather than later to get your preferred seats.
More Holiday Concerts Worth Checking Out in 2026
Beyond the five featured tours, 2026 has no shortage of holiday concert options worth keeping on your radar. Andrea Bocelli is set to bring his signature blend of opera and holiday classics to select arenas in December.
On the country and seasonal pop side, Lady A and Brett Eldredge both have history with holiday touring and are worth watching for confirmed 2026 dates. Jazz and smooth holiday sounds get covered by Kenny G, whose Christmas sets remain a perennial favorite, while Amy Grant continues to be one of the most beloved names in holiday concert tradition.
The annual Mannheim Steamroller tour also continues its long-running tradition with two touring companies playing cities across the U.S. If none of the top five tours land in your area — or if you simply want to make a full month of it — any of these shows are a worthy addition to your December calendar.
It’s Time to Get Your Holiday Tickets!
With five very different shows on the calendar, the right pick depends on what kind of night out you’re after. Go with Trans-Siberian Orchestra for maximum spectacle and arena-scale production. Choose Pentatonix for a family-friendly outing with the best chance of finding a date near you. Opt for Straight No Chaser or Chris Tomlin if you prefer an intimate theater setting. And pick Old Crow Medicine Show if roots-driven string band music and a barn dance-style Christmas celebration is more your speed.
No matter which show you pick, a couple of tips will serve you well: lock in your tickets early for weekend dates close to Christmas, and don’t write off a tour just because it hasn’t shown up in your city yet — shows like TSO and Pentatonix cover dozens of markets, so a driveable date is often closer than you’d expect.
When you’re ready to lock in your seats, head to boxofficeticketsales.com for all five tours. The hardest part of holiday concert season isn’t deciding whether to go — it’s deciding which show to see first.
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