Celebrate Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

By Carol Carter

Published November 16, 2017
Last Updated September 16, 2020

If you’ve never attended a holiday concert presented by the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), you are missing out. Here’s what’s on tap for this year (in case you want to remedy your absence during previous years).

• Disney’s Broadway Hits with the ASO. Nov. 25 and 26.
  Tap your toes or hum a little (quietly) as the ASO gets you into the spirit of the season with your favorite tunes from your fave shows. The concert features songs from nine Tony Award- and Academy Award-winning scores by some of the greatest composers and lyricists in the world including Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,”  “Newsies,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”), Phil Collins (“Tarzan”), Elton John (“Aida,” “The Lion King”) and Richard & Robert Sherman (“Mary Poppins”).
• “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Concert. Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2.
  This concert features the ASO performing every note from the movie.  Relive the magic of the film in high-definition on the giant screen while enjoying the orchestra performing John Williams’ unforgettable score.
• Family Holiday Concert.  Dec. 3.
  The ASO performs Howard Blake’s soundtrack to” The Snowman” Movie live with the film. The program also features Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Overture” and Vivaldi’s “Winter” from “The Four Seasons.”
• Christmas with the ASO. Dec. 9 and 10.
  This annual concert features the orchestra, chorus, Gwinnett Young Singers and Morehouse College Glee Club.  
• Handel’s “Messiah,” Part 1.  Dec. 22
  There’s nothing quite like this masterpiece to set the tone for the season, and the ASO performance leaves you spellbound.
• A Very Merry Holiday POPS. Dec. 15 and 16.
  The concerts features special guests Joe Gransden and his Big Band, Allison Blackwell, The Melodica Men, Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir, the All-City High School Chorus and more.

And, at Atlanta Symphony Hall:

• 98ᴼ At Christmas. Nov. 29.
  The vocal quartet of Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons, renowned for signature R&B-tinged, four-part harmonies, sing numbers from “Let It Snow,” their new Christmas album.
• SiriusXM Presents The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 14th Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour. Dec. 6.
  The iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy Award winner Brian Setzer and his 19-piece orchestra whip up a dose of retro holiday cheer with their Christmas Rocks! Tour. The show also features music from their latest Christmas album, “Rockin’ Rudolph,” their three other best-selling holiday albums, as well as original Brian Setzer hits. Special guests: The Texas Gentlemen.  

Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.