The holidays are upon us, and you may be gearing up for your 29th viewing of one of central Indiana’s great Nutcracker performances. Or maybe you’re looking for seasonal entertainment created after the 19th century? Maybe it’s both.
Fortunately, Indianapolis offers a variety of contemporary vacation options in addition to the traditional classics. Here are seven local pop concerts for anyone who wants to celebrate the season by standing, singing, and maybe with a slight hip swivel or two.
Pentatonix
7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3hUKdEd.
A cappella superstars Pentatonix are coming to Indy on the heels of a new holiday album and a Disney Plus streaming special. South Bend’s Girl Named Tom, winner of “The Voice” in 2021, opens the show.
Tickets have become quite scarce for this one, so you won’t want to wait.
More:Pentatonix announces 2022 holiday show in Indianapolis, with opening act from Indiana
Dave Koz and friends
8pm December 9 at The Palladium, 1 Carter Green in Carmel. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3tTHdus.
One of the Center for the Performing Arts’ favorite traditions is in 2022, as saxophonist Dave Koz leads a merry band with help from several featured artists, including Rick Braun, Peter White, Keiko Matsui and Rebecca Jade. This year’s entry marks 25 years of holiday shows for Koz’s group.
Two Noblesville jazz musicians, bassist Bethany Robinson and pianist Sarah Scharbrough McLaughlin, will open the show.
More:15 Classic Holiday Shows, Movies, Light Displays and More to Enjoy Around Indianapolis
Straight No Chaser
December 10-11 at the Murat Theater in the Old National Center, 502 N. New Jersey St.. Tickets are available at livemu.sc/3go1bdM.
What is this? Want even more modern a cappella, this time with a familiar Hoosier twist?
Straight No Chaser, the pride of Bloomington and Indiana University, will also celebrate its 25th anniversary with four performances at the Murat Theatre: 3:30 and 8:00 p.m. on December 10 and 3 and 7:00 p.m. 00 on December 11.
Tickets are still available, but may not last. A press release for performance notes, the group sold Murat 27 times during the year.
Transsiberian Orchestra
3:00 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Tickets are available atbit.ly/3GAoo7a.
Ghosts of Christmas Eve promises a best-of collection from the TSO, who make their regular visit to the Fieldhouse. This is for those who like a bit of prog rock in their holiday celebrations and it’s a fun show if you’ve never been.
The beach boys
7:30 p.m., Dec. 13, at the Murat Theater at the Old National Center, 502 N. New Jersey St.. Tickets are available at livemu.sc/3UY2Ju5.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Beach Boys will bring a seasonal show to Murat, featuring songs from both the band’s classic 1964 Christmas album and founding member Mike Love’s latest release. The Holiday Vibrations Orchestra will accompany the group.
Michael Bolton
7.30pm December 13 at The Palladium, 1 Carter Green in Carmel. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3V9JTAr.
Two-time Grammy winner Michael Bolton will perform a mix of his biggest hits and classic holiday tunes at a preview show at the Palladium. Tickets go fast, so move accordingly.
Worship live
5 p.m., Dec. 17, at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3i422Rz.
The Worship Live Holiday Tour features Grammy Award winner Fred Hammond with fellow contemporary gospel singers Israel Houghton and Pastor Mike Jr. This one calls for applause.
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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter for IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @RoryDoesPhonics.