There is so much to love about the holiday season. The decorations are merry and bright, the snow falls lightly, blanketing the world in white, and family and friends gather to celebrate the season. No holiday celebration is ever complete without music. Christmas tunes are seared into memories permanently, and if you want to get in the spirit properly, you'd better know where to score jolly tunes.
Concerts With Live Christmas Music
Attending a concert to listen to live Christmas music is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. In fact, many families make this ritual a special Christmas tradition.
Local Churches
Fans of religious Christmas music find that local churches are a great source of holiday concerts. Many churches put on a special Christmas program sometime during the month of December. Events are open to the public, so you don't need to be a member of the church to attend.
Local Elementary Schools
There's nothing more adorable than singing children dressed in their holiday best! Even if you don't have kids of your own, consider attending the Christmas concert at your local elementary school. Admission is usually either free or only a few dollars, and the young performers are sure to put a smile on your face.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities often have Christmas concerts and plays that are open to the community. Since most of the performers are students preparing for careers in music and/or theater, you can be assured of a very high-quality concert at an affordable price. Check the college or university website for information regarding concert dates and ticket prices.
Professional Musical Groups
While seeing a professional musical group in concert can be rather expensive, this is a special Christmas treat for someone who loves music. For example, Mannheim Steamroller is well-known for its Christmas concerts.
If you're on a tight budget, one way to make attending this type of event more affordable is to agree that the experience will be a substitute for the exchange of Christmas presents. In most cases, your friends and family will be happy to have one less person to shop for and less clutter to put away when the holiday is over.
Take in a Play or Ballet
The Nutcracker is well-known for its relationship to Christmas, as is A Christmas Carol. Take the family to see music on stage at a sizeable awe-inspiring venue or see if classic Christmas plays are being put on locally.
Where to Tune in to Jam Out to Christmas Music
Whether you are baking Christmas cookies or wrapping up gifts to give to loved ones, you need to set the holiday tone. One way to do this is to pump up the Christmas jams on the radio. These radio stations play holiday music non-stop, so you never have to spend too much time trying to find the station for the season.
SiriusXM
SiriusXM offers cheery tunes on 17 stations, and here are a few of the popular ones. There is no excuse not to be turning up the volume to Jingle Bell Rock, people.
- Holly - Channel 105 plays contemporary Christmas songs by artists like Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, and Pentatonix.
- Holiday Traditions - Channel 73 gives listeners well-known holiday songs by Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, and Nat King Cole.
- Hallmark Channel Radio - Channel 70 provides listeners with classic songs that have been well-loved by generations.
- Country Christmas - Channel 58 plays Christmas music for country lovers.
- Navidad - Stream Latin-inspired holiday songs for something festive and unique.
- Holiday Soul - Channel 49 sets the mood with Motown holiday hits from the likes of Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5, Lou Rawls, and Aretha the Queen.
Evergreen Radio Station
Year-round Christmas music isn't everyone's cup of cocoa, but if you simply can not go a single day without merry music, Evergreen Radio Station has you covered. Download the app through Google Play or the Apple App Store and stream holiday songs all day, every day.
Holiday Movies
Holiday movies are packed with Christmas music. Gather the gang up under the tree, put on your warm and cozy pajamas, and pop a Christmas movie in. Sing along to the songs included in the movies. Popular Christmas flicks include:
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- The Grinch
- Elf
- Miracle on 34th Street
- Meet Me in St. Louis
Plan a Musical Party
Get the gang together for a holiday party based on the season and everyone's shared love of music. Either of these festive party ideas will be a wonderful addition to a Christmas event calendar.
Hosting a Christmas Caroling Party
If you love live Christmas music, having a Christmas caroling party for your family and friends can be a fun alternative to your usual holiday get-together. Make up a festive invitation on your home computer, reminding guests to wear warm winter coats and bring their favorite hats, scarves, and mittens.
Since not everyone knows the words to the most popular Christmas carols, it's a good idea to print off copies of the lyrics to the songs you wish to sing at your party. (You can find Christmas carol books at your local public library or visit the Christmas Lyrics website to look up the words to your favorite songs.) To ensure you'll have enough light to read by during the evening hours, make candle holders by poking holes in small paper plates and sliding taper candles through the top.
Start your party off by singing carols at your neighbor's doorstep. If you have guests that are self-conscious about their singing skills, remember that enthusiasm can make up for a less than perfect performance! The point of the event is to have fun, not put on a show worthy of a recording contract.
Although it's a good idea to get approval for your visit beforehand, you may also want to consider stopping at your local nursing home. The elderly residents who have no family nearby are sure to appreciate your holiday cheer.
When you're finished singing, you can return home for some hot chocolate, eggnog, and an assortment of Christmas cookies. You may also choose to decorate a Christmas tree as part of your festivities.
Throw a Kicking Christmas Karaoke Party
If you love everything about Christmas music, then host a Christmas karaoke party! Invite friends and family to try their hand at favorite holiday songs. Sing the night away and play karaoke-inspired games to keep every guest entertained all evening long.
Make Your Season Merry and Bright Through Music
Music brings people together, it touches the soul and simply makes the world a better place. Whether you are elevating your holiday experience through live music, recorded tunes, or musical gatherings, make sure to include holiday music in your season's events and traditions.
