Say what you will about Christmas music, it’s hard to avoid come December. Ignore the overplayed radio standards and allow Richmond’s dynamic music scene to offer up an array of live holiday music that’ll make you forget all about dogs barking “Jingle Bells” and Wham whining about last Christmas.

And if the thought of traditional carols and cheesy Christmas standards is too much to bear, consider the Richmond punk rock Christmas tradition of Punks for Presents. The Christmas-themed punk and metal parody bands play five nights of shows for charity every year at venues including Gallery 5, the Canal Club, Fuzzy Cactus, the Camel and Hardywood. Because in Richmond, nothing says happy holidays quite like head banging.

But for those who prefer their holiday music with a little more ho, ho, ho, there are options to suit every taste:

Jingle bells, sleigh bells, silver bells, there’s no question that bells mean it’s holiday time. If you need to hear ringing in your ears to feel the spirit, head to VMFA to hear the Reveille Ringers handbell choir in the Cochrane Atrium.  Free. Takes place Friday, Dec. 5, with performances at 6 and 7 p.m.

For a holiday show with Afro-Puerto Rican roots, don’t miss Kadencia Orchestra: Tropical Christmas 2 at Richmond Music Hall downtown. Certified by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture as authentic Puerto Rican folk musicians, Kadencia uses percussion-heavy rhythms to play bomba, plena and salsa music with a holiday twist. Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets.

You can count on the Salvation Army to make Richmond the gift of a Christmas concert, and this one will be held at the Red Shield Youth Center. The afternoon of Christmas songs and carols by the National Capital Band takes place under the direction of bandmaster Dr. Steven Kellner. Free and open to the public. Dec. 6 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. 3701 R. Street.

Performed by string quartet Listeso, the famous Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings will return for a Christmas performance at the lovely John Marshall Ballrooms, with selections including beloved Christmas classics. Admission starts at $44. Takes place Thursday, Dec. 11 and Friday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Find more information here.

Led by VCU Jazz Studies director Dr. Taylor Barnett, the two Richmond Big Band Christmas 2025 performances at Westminster Presbyterian Church promise Christmas songs in the celebratory and distinctly American genre of big band jazz. The band includes vocalists Laura Ann Singh and Rudy Faulkner, and some of the city’s best instrumentalists from bands such as Butcher Brown, No BS! Brass Band, Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood and Weekend Plans. Saturday, Dec. 13, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets

Babes of Carytown invites you to jingle all the way in their decked halls with the Chapstix Holiday Show, an evening of classic carols and covers with a Chapstix twist. Grab your crew and throw on something merry for a cozy, high-energy night of music, dancing and pure festive magic. Get your tickets in advance to save paying more at the door. Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Tickets

The annual Holiday Harp Ensemble Concert at St. John’s United Church of Christ features the Grammy-nominated GreenSpring American Youth Harp Ensemble will be presenting “Making Spirits Bright.” And if not harps for the holidays, then when? Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Tickets

The holidays can get expensive, so how about a free concert celebrating the holiday season? A mix of classic tunes and some more contemporary selections will be performed by the Richmond Concert Band and Ensembles from Tabernacle Baptist Church, where the concert will be held. C’mon, get your festive spirit on. Free. Sunday, Dec. 14, 4 p.m.

Featuring band classics, Christmas carols, and other festive favorites, not to mention a special visitor from the North Pole, Christmas with the Richmond Pops at the Altria Theater spotlights vocal soloists Sarah Walston and Tracey Welborn for a musical celebration of the holiday season. Free but donations suggested here. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.

For a funky kind of holiday show, check out The Boulevardiers Holiday Rock, Roll, Rhythm and Blues Extravaganza at Northside Grille. The band promises they’ll be grooving high on all the old favorites, as well as some special Christmas tunes. The horns will be there and, depending on your holiday mood, you should be, too. Dec. 19, 8:30 p.m.

If your idea of Christmas music involves reimagined holiday favorites and powerful worship-filled moments, look no further than Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey’s Celebrate Christmas Tour at the Altria. For the tenth anniversary of their show, five-time GMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Grant and Grammy-nominated Gokey have revamped the entire production for the holidays. Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Tickets

Featuring former World Irish dance champions and stars from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, A Celtic Christmas delivers a holiday spectacular packed with Irish wit, traditional tunes and, of course, Christmas carols for an afternoon performance at the National. December 21, 3:30 p.m. Tickets

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a classic for many this time of year and its soundtrack is a big part of the reason for that. R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND has you covered with A Big Band Tribute to Vince Guaraldi. The family-friendly event (kids under 10 are free) at Ember Music Hall features early and later shows. The high-energy jazz ensemble known for its big-band sound infused with a modern edge, is led by bass player Andrew Randazzo. Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets