Christmas music is everywhere this time of year, piped in at stores and on the radio. But if you want to really hear it, in a powerful, lovely and memorable way, check out one of the many great concerts below. Get your tickets early, as shows can sell out quickly.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
SEATTLE AREA
Holiday Concert by Breath of Aire (FREE): Hear holiday music performed by the choir group Breath of Aire. 7 p.m., doors open 6:30 p.m., seating is first come, first served. Bastyr University Chapel, Kenmore. www.bastyr.edu.
A Festival of Lessons and Carols ($ to $$$): Northwest Boychoir's concert includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. 7 p.m. Plymouth Church, Downtown Seattle. www.nwchoirs.org.
An Irish Christmas ($$): Seattle Choral Company and special guests perform holiday songs popular in Ireland and America. 8 p.m. through Saturday. Ages 6 and older. St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle (Capitol Hill). www.seattlechoralcompany.org.
EASTSIDE
Geoffrey Castle's Celtic Christmas ($$ to $$$): Holiday music by famed six-string electric violinist Geoffrey Castle, plus dancers, Santa and special guests. 8 p.m. through Saturday. Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland. www.kpcenter.org.
SOUTH SOUND
A Celtic Yuletide ($$ to $$$): Magical Strings' annual show features Celtic music and instruments, Irish step dancing and special guests. 7:30 p.m. Urban Grace Church, Tacoma. 800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/464611.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
SEATTLE AREA
The Snowman ($$): The Seattle Symphony performs Howard Blake's soundtrack while the animated movie plays on screen. Part of Discover Music, Seattle Symphony's series for families with kids ages 6 to 11. 11 a.m., pre-concert activities starting at 10 a.m. Benaroya Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.seattlesymphony.org.
Holiday High Notes ($ to $$): Annual concert features Northwest Boychoir accompanying vintage silent holiday films. 1 and 2:30 p.m. Pre-purchase advised. Northwest Film Forum, Seattle (Capitol Hill). www.nwfilmforum.org/live/page/calendar/2887.
Seattle Girls' Choir Holiday Concert ($$): Annual concert features all five levels singing traditional holiday songs. 1:30 p.m. Town Hall, Seattle (First Hill). www.seattlegirlschoir.org.
A Celtic Yuletide ($$ to $$$): Magical Strings' annual show features Celtic music and instruments, Irish step dancing and special guests. 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, Seattle (First Hill). www.brownpapertickets.com/event/464533.
NORTH SOUND
Holiday Magic: Here We Come A' Caroling ($$): Holiday concert from Sno-King Community Chorale. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds. http://edmondscenterforthearts.org.
A Festival of Lessons and Carols ($ to $$$): Northwest Boychoir's concert includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. 7:30 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood. www.nwchoirs.org.
The Christmas Revels® ($$ to $$$): Experience an old-fashioned Appalachian Christmas with music, dancing and storytelling. 2 and 7:30 p.m. today, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18. Rialto Theater, Tacoma. www.broadwaycenter.org.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
SEATTLE AREA
A Feast of Grace & Light ($ to $$): Seattle Jewish Chorale presents music for Hanukkah, Thanksgiving and beyond. 3 p.m. Seattle Jewish Community School, Seattle (Pinehurst). www.seattlejewishchorale.org.
Celebrate Christmas in the Northwest Concert ($$): Holiday music by the Salvation Army Brass Band and Breath of Aire Choir. 3 and 7 p.m. Town Hall, Seattle (First Hill). http://celebratechristmasnw.brownpapertickets.com.
Christmas with Seattle Pro Musica ($ to $$$): Enjoy traditional carols, holiday favorites, and an audience sing-along in this family-friendly, one-hour concert. 3 p.m. Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle (Phinney Ridge). www.seattlepromusica.org.
Holiday Countdown Concert ($ to $$): Northwest Girlchoir performs holiday songs that feature numbers, including "The 12 Days of Christmas" and others. 3 p.m. Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, Seattle (University District). www.northwestgirlchoir.org.
Sing a Glad Noel ($ to $$): Annual holiday concert from Seattle Children's Chorus. 5 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Seattle (First Hill). www.seattlechildrenschorus.org.
A Festival of Lessons and Carols ($ to $$$): Northwest Boychoir's concert includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. 7 p.m. St. Alphonsus Church, Seattle (Ballard). www.nwchoirs.org.
EASTSIDE
Christmas Ships Celebration (FREE): Hear a performance by The Dickens Carolers, then listen from the shore as a choir broadcasts from the Argosy Christmas Ships. Enjoy hot cocoa and coffee by the fire, or purchase a s'mores kit. 4 to 6 p.m. Woodmark Hotel, Kirkland. www.thewoodmark.com.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
SEATTLE AREA
Community Christmas Concert (FREE): Tangletown Trio (violin, cello, piano and vocals) will perform a collection of holiday favorites with audience participation. Candy canes, warm cider and cookies for all. 7 p.m. Donations welcomed. Plymouth Church, Downtown Seattle. www.PlymouthChurchSeattle.org.
EASTSIDE
A Celtic Yuletide ($$): Magical Strings' annual show features Celtic music and instruments, Irish step dancing and special guests. 7 p.m. Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/478345.
NORTH SOUND
Holiday Concert ($$ to $$$): Holiday concert from Cascade Symphony Orchestra includes a sing-along. 7:30 p.m. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds. http://edmondscenterforthearts.org.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
SEATTLE AREA
A Festival of Lessons and Carols ($ to $$$): Northwest Boychoir's concert includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. 7:30 p.m. Holy Rosary Church, West Seattle. www.nwchoirs.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
SEATTLE AREA
A Festival of Lessons and Carols ($ to $$$): Northwest Boychoir's concert includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. 7:30 p.m. today, 6 p.m. Sunday. St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle (Capitol Hill). www.nwchoirs.org.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
SEATTLE AREA
A Festival of Lessons and Carols ($$ to $$$): Concert with Northwest Boychoir, Vocalpoint! Seattle and members of Northwest Sinfonia includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. 7 p.m. Benaroya Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.seattlesymphony.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
SEATTLE AREA
English Christmas ($$ to $$$): The Tudor Choir and Players celebrate an English Christmas with traditional carols and holiday classics. The concert will open with the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree. 7:30 p.m. Blessed Sacrament Church, Seattle (University District). www.brownpapertickets.com/event/375018.
