Some concert halls and theaters are starting to re-open amid the pandemic, but most musicians continue to host performances virtually.
Here are 7 Christmas concerts to watch from the comfort of your home beginning Thursday and through the weekend.
THURSDAY
Tabernacle Choir
What: Although the annual Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Christmas concert didn’t take place this year due to the pandemic, last year’s program featuring Broadway star Kelli O’Hara and actor Richard Thomas is airing on TV.
The concert features O’Hara singing Christmas tunes like “Mary’s Little Boy Child,” the lesser-known “The Birthday of a King” and the lullaby “A Cradle in Bethlehem” — one of her father’s favorite Christmas songs, the Deseret News previously reported.
Thomas — well known for his role as John-Boy Walton in the 1970s series “The Waltons” — recites Luke 2 and narrates Pearl S. Buck’s “Christmas Day in the Morning,” telling the story of a man who becomes inspired to make the holiday the best one yet for his wife.
A 60-minute version of the program premiered on PBS earlier this week. On Thursday night, BYUtv will air the full 90-minute version.
When: Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. MT
Where: BYUtv
FRIDAY
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
What: For the first time since 1999, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s busy annual Christmas tour — where the musicians typically cram eight shows into five days each week — has been canceled. Plan B is a special livestreamed 90-minute show of “Christmas Eve & Other Stories,” filmed from a soundstage in Nashville.
“I’m very excited about it,” TSO member Jeff Plate recently told the Deseret News. “I mean I would much rather be on tour, but I know this show is going to be great. … We’ll be right in your living room. You’ll have the best seat in the house.”
When: Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
Where: tsolivestream.com
How much: Tickets start at $30
Barenaked Ladies
What: The Barenaked Ladies’ “A Very Virtual Christmas” will feature sketch comedy written by the band, and performances of holiday fan favorites from their “Barenaked For The Holidays” album.
When: Dec. 18, 7 p.m. MT
Where: sessionslive.com/BNL/tickets
How much: Tickets start at $15
SATURDAY
Josh Groban
What: From performing in the shower to releasing an album to hosting a series of virtual concerts, Josh Groban has been at the forefront when it comes to finding creative ways to connect with fans during the pandemic. Groban’s next livestream — and his first-ever holiday concert — airs on Saturday.
Groban recently told the Deseret News these livestreams are providing him — and his fans, he hopes — with healing during a troubled year.
“Now is not the time for silence,” he said. “We need music to connect us. I don’t even mean just COVID — we’re so divided. Everybody is so scared, they’re so angry.”
“It’s good for my soul,” Groban added. “It’s given me a huge bright spot on an otherwise tragic year, and hopefully it’s done a little bit of that for other people as well.”
When: The livestream will air at 2 and 6 p.m. MT. Once the second airing ends, the show will be available to watch on-demand, according to Groban’s Twitter account.
Where: joshgroban.com
How much: Tickets start at $30
Lindsey Stirling
What: Lindsey Stirling released her virtual Christmas concert — easily her biggest show of 2020 — last week. But the dancing violinist is re-airing the program on Saturday, this time adding a live Q&A event, according to information sent to the Deseret News.
Brought to life with dancers, glittering costumes, stylized sets and a band, “Lindsey Stirling: Home for the Holidays” features performances of “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “All I Want For Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and “Carol of the Bells.”
“I think it’s going to bring a lot of people joy,” she previously told the Deseret News. “Whether people are sewing masks at home or getting groceries for their neighbor who can’t leave, it’s this idea that we all have our own gifts and our own ways of helping. It’s just about lifting where you stand.”
When: The Christmas show will stream again Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. MT, and be available to watch on-demand through Jan. 1, according to a news release.
Where: lindseystirling.com
How much: Tickets start at $23.50. A portion of the profits from ticket sales will be donated to the Upside Fund, Stirling’s nonprofit charity outreach program helping families in need.
Pete Yorn
What: During the Pete Yorn Holiday Show, the artist will perform the songs fans voted for in an all request livestream. Yorn will also host Q&As before and after the show.
When: Dec. 19, 4 p.m. MT
Where: veeps.com
How much: Tickets start at $15
SUNDAY
Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood
What: Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are putting on a one-hour holiday special, where they’ll take requests from fans and sing Christmas songs live from their home recording studio, the Deseret News previously reported.
The Christmas special is the latest example of how the powerhouse couple has stayed connected to fans during a year that has shut down concert halls and venues.
“Our viewers loved reaching out directly to Garth and Trisha to request their favorite hits back when the pandemic first hit. It brought some fun and joy directly into their living rooms as they were hunkered down with their families,” CBS network said in a statement. “Now, nine long months later, who better to bring some holiday magic, performing some of the greatest holiday songs of all time than Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.”
When: Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. MT
Where: CBS