holiday guide 2018

15 Concerts to Get You in the Ho-Ho-Holiday Spirit

Taylor Mac redefines your classics. Photo: Courtesy of Little Fang Photography

The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show With Amy Black
The gospel legends formed at at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Deaf and Blind in 1939, and have since won five Grammys and been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In this show, they’ll lead us into the tinsel season, along with singer-songwriter Amy Black.
City Winery, 11/29

Yo La Tengo
The beloved indie rockers’ annual Eight Nights of Hanukkah shows have already sold out, but you can always hope. Because as we all know, miracles do happen.
Bowery Ballroom, 12/2 to 12/9

Holiday Cheer for FUV
This year, legendary country-folk troubadour John Prine released The Tree of Forgiveness, his first album of all-new material in over 13 years. He leads a lineup including Brooklynites the Lone Bellow and the vintage stylings of Shannon Shaw, lead singer of Shannon and the Clams.
The Beacon Theatre, 12/3

John Legend
In this episode of “things that should have happened a long time ago,” John Legend puts out an album called A Legendary Christmas, and goes on a tour to accompany it. May this happen every year. (Next in line: A Legendary Christmas, The Legend Continues).
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, 12/3

A Third Stereogum Christmas Show
The music nerds at the Stereogum website love a good holiday show: this is their third one and it will be raucous, with post-punks Priests, Philly rockers Empath, and Nervous Dater from Brooklyn.
Baby’s All Right, 12/6

92.3 Presents Not So Silent Night
With an insanely stacked lineup of Florence and the Machine, Muse, Death Cab for Cutie, AJR, Mike Shinoda, Foster the People, Bastille, and Chvrches, the night won’t be so silent, and that’s exactly how radio station ALT 92.3 wants it.
Barclays Center, 12/6

Z100 Jingle Ball
No need for tinsel — the stage will be sparkling with a lineup including Cardi B, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Calvin Harris, G-Eazy, Dua Lipa, Meghan Trainor, and more.
Madison Square Garden, 12/7

Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays
You know who just wants to have fun? Cyndi Lauper and her friends, including Regina Spektor, Angie Stone, A$AP Rocky, and comedian Gina Yashere. They also love performing for charity, which they’ll be doing at this concert in support of the True Colors Fund’s work to end homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
The Beacon Theatre, 12/8

Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce
Hear your favorite holiday songs like you’ve never heard them before as multi-hyphenate 2017 MacArthur Fellow Taylor Mac gives them a makeover in this always-evolving show, with a band of eight backing him up.
Town Hall, 12/11

Holiday in New York featuring Charlie Puth
Be prepared to protect yourself from the crying preteens when hairstyle connoisseur Charlie Puth is joined by fellow singer-songwriters Lauv (of “I Like Me Better” fame), Alec Benjamin, and Julia Michaels.
The Beacon Theatre, 12/13

HOT 97: Hot for the Holidays
The weather’s chilly but the Kings Theatre will be heating up with Trey Songz, Tory Lanez, Lil Baby, Gunna, and Flipp Dinero as part of the radio station’s annual extravaganza.
Kings Theatre, 12/16

Noel Nights
If there’s a family that loves to be around each other at the holidays, it’s the Wainwright and McGarrigle clan. Their annual extravaganza happens this year with guests including Emmylou Harris, Joan As Police Woman, and Teddy Thompson. Proceeds benefit Stand Up to Cancer.
Town Hall, 12/16

Ingrid Michaelson’s 12th Annual Holiday Hop
Singer-songwriter and actor Michaelson loves the holidays so much, she’s been doing a seasonal concert for 12 years, and released the charming Songs for the Season album back in October of this year. That’s early! She must be excited.
The Beacon Theatre, 12/17

Pentatonix — The Christmas Is Here! Tour
A cappella enthusiasts Pentatonix have put out no less than four holiday albums and will be performing at the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree-lighting later this month. At the Beacon, catch their arrangements of modern and classic faves over four nights.
The Beacon Theatre, 12/18 to 12/22

Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg
Former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone celebrates the 40th anniversary of Road to Ruin, his first album with the Ramones, by playing 40 Ramones classics with his band and screening the classic Ramones movie Rock ’n’ Roll High School. As for the holiday part, maybe he’ll be wearing a Santa hat. Gotta show up to find out!
Gramercy Theatre, 12/21

15 Holiday Concerts in New York