Last Updated on November 21, 2023, 8:17 PM | Published: November 21, 2023
Once you’re stuffed with stuffing and tuckered out on tryptophan, all eyes and interests will turn to the late winter holidays, with colored lights illuminating every street, shopping and sales dominating every gift-giving mind, and of course, holiday music softly blasting out of every speaker.
Well, if you tire easily of the Bing Crosbys and the Mariah Careys, but still want to get into the musical spirit this holiday season, then you’ll have lots of chances to do Christmas music a bit differently all around Oklahoma City throughout December.
From country and folk to orchestras, ballets, and even full-on power metal, the holiday season in OKC is giving you a host of annually traditional opportunities to clap your hands and sing along (or bang your head.)
Music and film
by Brett Fieldcamp
Sponsored by True Sky Credit Union
A Very Merry Pops: The Oklahoma City Philharmonic w/ Take 6 and Sandi Patty – Civic Center Music Hall – December 1st through December 2nd
There’s no better way to kick off the month and get the music of the season coursing through your brain than with Maestro Mickelthwate and the OKC Philharmonic in an all-holiday installment of their fan-favorite Pops series, featuring full orchestral renditions of standards and classic popular songs.
In addition to all the annual must-hears, the Phil will be premiering their newly commissioned medley “Kris Kringle’s Okie Jingle” alongside all true Oklahomans’ favorite ancient yuletide carol of olde, the B.C. Clark’s anniversary sale song.
They’ll be aided in all the Christmas cheer by gospel singers Take 6 and Sandi Patty.
And obviously, you can’t have Christmas without a troupe of tap-dancing Santa Clauses, so of course they’ll be there, too.
For performance times, tickets, and more, visit okcciviccenter.com.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – Paycom Center – December 7th
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without some blistering guitar solos and soaring vocal acrobatics.
That is, the world needs progressive power-metal institution Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who can be counted on practically every year to bring their fantastically over-the-top, theatrical Christmas metal to arenas everywhere, injecting some much-needed volume and distortion into the holiday season.
This year, they’re forgoing any newly conceived winter’s tale to bring you a greatest hits retrospective as “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.”
Bring earplugs for the heavy songs, a lighter for the ballads, and your best approximation of Victorian-era yule tidings.
For tickets and more, visit paycomcenter.com.
‘The Nutcracker’ presented by OKC Ballet – Civic Center Music Hall – December 8th through December 18th
One of the world’s most favorite and most time-honored traditions is the yearly worldwide performances of what is surely the most famous and beloved ballet in history, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
Last year, the OKC Ballet debuted an all-new production with new sets, scenes, and choreography under the leadership of newly appointed Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, and they’re keeping that fresh new take rolling this year.
But the music is still what any longtime fan knows and loves, paying beautiful tribute to Pyotr Tchaikovsky, one of the 19th Century’s most expressive and romantic composers, with some of the most playful, dynamically colorful melodic themes ever put before an orchestra.
For performance times, tickets, and more, visit okcballet.org.
The Tequila Songbirds Holiday Show – Blue Door – December 22nd
If you prefer a heapin’ helpin’ of some western swing in your holiday tunes, then you’ll want to get on down to the OKC country-folk scene’s best “listening room” for The Tequila Songbirds Holiday Show just days before Christmas.
Featuring Kierston White, Camille Harp, and Elizabeth Forsythe – each an accomplished local singer/songwriter in their own right – the Tequila Songbirds combine their powers every so often for special occasions, and this one is set to be particularly special.
Not only will it be the Songbirds’ first performance in OKC since 2022, and not only will it serve as a showcase for all their best, most festive renditions of holiday carols and classics, but it’ll also be a perfect close to the Blue Door’s landmark thirtieth year.
For tickets and more information, visit bluedoorokc.com.
Egg Nog Extravaganza w/ Brian Byrne & the Oklahoma Film Orchestra – Tower Theatre – December 23rd
Sometimes you want your holiday orchestra event to have a little more atmosphere around it, and that’s just what you can expect when the Oklahoma Film Orchestra takes the Tower stage under the direction of Golden Globe-nominated composer/conductor Brian Byrne.
You can bet that they’ll be getting creative with the season’s classics, adding in a touch of mystery and more than a little excitement.
Plus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better in-theatre bar during a holiday-themed orchestral performance.
Presumably, there will be egg nog on the menu, perfect for prepping your system for the following two days.
For tickets and more, visit towertheatreokc.com.
Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
