From Carols by Candlelight to Messiah Sing-alongs, here’s a sampling of Christmas and holiday concerts in San Diego County:
CARDIFF
“Christmas Joy! A Choral Celebration:” A Christmas concert, with more than 80 singers featuring International Chorus Champions Masters of Harmony and the award-winning Pacific Coast Harmony chorus of La Jolla, performs at 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Free parking. Tickets are $25 plus $2 fee at stsconstantinehelen.ludus.com.
“A Light in the Darkness” concert: A winter solstice-themed concert, “A Light in the Darkness,” is at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 presented by San Diego’s SACRA/PROFANA vocal ensemble at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. The program features musical selections focusing on themes of peace on earth, including Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem,” in a new chamber orchestration. The concert will be conducted by Krishan Oberoi, SACRA/PROFANA founding director and principle guest conductor, and Aaron Burgett, assistant conductor. The concert’s nonprofit partner is the San Diego Diplomacy Council. Advanced reserved seating is $35; $30 for seniors and military; $20 for students. General admission: $25, $20 for seniors and military; $10 for students at sacraprofana.org.
CARLSBAD
Christmas concert: The Music Men Chorus presents a 90-minute program of Christmas favorites at 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Ave. The concert includes a guest performance by the “Behind the Barn” Quartet. Suggested donation is $10. Visit musicmenchorus.org.
The Living Nativity: Christ Presbyterian Church hosts a free interactive walk-through Christmas story from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at 7807 Centella St., featuring Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem, baby Jesus in a manger, the innkeeper, shepherds and angels in the field, wise men and Emperor Augustus. Also, a lighting of the Christmas tree and other festivities is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and a Sounds of Christmas concert is from 9 and 10:45 a.m. Dec. 17. Visit christ-pres.church.
CHULA VISTA
“Ten Days of Caroling”: Terra Nova Plaza invites the public to a free holiday festival from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7-16 at 394 E. H St. The festival will feature “Ten Days of Caroling” by various community groups. Three will be free hot chocolate or cider. Visit terranovaplaza.com.
ENCINITAS
Christmas Concert: Chancel Choir, Bell Choirs and a brass quintet will be featured in a Christmas concert with music old and new at 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. Free. Visit encinitaschurch.com.
Holiday Lights concert: The North Coast Symphony puts on its Holiday Lights concert at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The orchestra will play festive favorites old and new, including Holst’s “In the Bleak Midwinter,” Jaffe’s “Symph-Hanukkah,” Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 Daydreams on a Winter Journey and Rimsky-Korsakoff’s “Christmas Eve Suite.” The orchestra will be led by conductor Liesl Hansen. Admission is $15; $12 for seniors, students and military, free for children 18 and under. Visit northcoastsymphony.com.
ESCONDIDO
Carols by Candlelight: The 34th annual Carols by Candlight event is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 8-9 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. It will feature Deana Carter, Charlie Worsham, Anna Vaus, Back to the Garden and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus all singing their hits and favorite Christmas songs to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Tickets are $25-$99. Visit carolsbycandlelight.com.
OCEANSIDE
“Celebrate the Season”: MiraCosta College Oceanside Symphony Orchestra presents “Celebrate the Season,” a festive repertoire of holiday music for all ages, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the college’s Concert Hall, 1 Barnard Drive. The program includes Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and a carol singalong with favorite holiday classics, directed by Branden Muresan. Tickets are $8-$10 at miracostatheatre.universitytickets.com.
Jazz Winter Concert: The Frequency Vocal Jazz Ensemble will give a concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in the MiraCosta College Concert Hall, 1 Barnard Drive. The concert, directed by Matt Falker, will feature choir repertoire along with performances by selected soloists. Many songs will be selected from the Great American Songbook and performed a cappella or with the student rhythm section. Tickets are $8-$10. Visit miracostatheatre.universitytickets.com.
RANCHO BERNARDO
“Joyeux Noel” concert: A free Christmas concert led by the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church music ministry will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 in the church sanctuary, 17010 Pomerado Road. This year’s concert is titled “Joyeux Noel” and features French carols and choral works for choir, orchestra and organ. The program will include Charpentier’s “Magnificat in G,” Berlioz’s “The Shepherd’s Farewell,” Bizet’s “Farandole” and various French carols. The audience will be invited to join in singing familiar carols throughout the program. Freewill offering. Visit rbcommunity.org/event-Concert-Series:-Christmas-Concert.
RANCHO SANTA FE
“Messiah Sing”: The La Jolla Symphony Chorus brings its “Messiah Sing” to the Village Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3 for a community singalong of George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah,” with orchestra and soloists directed by Arian Khaefi. Visit villagechurch.org.
SAN DIEGO
Community Las Posadas: Mission Hills United Methodist Church presents Las Posadas at 4 p.m. Dec. 10 with children leading the community in re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. The short journey will be narrated in English and Spanish, and the public is invited to join in the procession beginning at the church steps. Participants will walk through the neighborhood and stop at several locations to sing carols before returning to the church for piñatas, crafts and traditional Mexican refreshments. The church is at 4044 Lark St. Visit missionhillsumc.org.
Chorale hosts “Messiah Sing”: The San Diego Master Chorale hosts its 13th communitywide”Messiah Sing” at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., Bankers Hill. Audience members and members of the chorale can join together in singing selections of Handel’s “Messiah,” under the direction of Music Director John K. Russell and accompanied by organist Martin Green. The event will conclude with the Hallelujah Chorus. Tickets are $30; $25 for seniors and military; $15 for students and free for youths under age 13. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own score or can rent one at the venue for $5. Visit sdmasterchorale.org.
“Jingle” singalong: San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Jingle,” a holiday singalong concert, at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. The chorus’s annual celebration of winter holidays features “joyous singing and celebration of artistic excellence.” Tickets are $31.50-$76.50. Visit sdgmc.org.
SAN MARCOS
Christmas Favorites barbershop style: The Music Men Chorus presents a 90-minute program of Christmas favorites sung barbershop style at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at San Marcos Lutheran Church, 3419 Grand Ave. The concert includes a guest performance by the “Behind the Barn” Quartet. Suggested donation for is $10. Visit musicmenconcert.org.
SOLANA BEACH
Christmas concert: “The Light of the Lord” Christmas Concert is at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 3 with the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church Choir and worship band as well as a chamber orchestra and members of the San Diego Symphony at the church, 120 Stevens Ave. Highlights include short Christmas meditation. Freewill offering. Visit solanabeach.church.
To submit a community holiday concert, email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.
