Singing and Christmas are intertwined. You can't have the holidays without a round of "O Holy Night" or "Jingle Bells" or even "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" ... although; Christmas is always significantly better if you skip that last one. You could get your holiday tunes in by singing along with your iPod, but really, there's only one real way to experience holiday music - go to see a choir. Celebrate the one time of year that normal human beings spend time singing together. Whether your choir of choice is a children's choir, a free show at a local university, or the flashy Seattle Men's Choir, just do it. Go see a choir and revel in the holiday goodness.

Sounds of the Season

Ah, nothing says Christmas like the sounds of tiny voices. Sounds of the Season pairs up the Tacoma Youth Chorus with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. The result? It's an angelic way to enjoy the holiday season. Catch the choir at the Rialto Theater Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $19 to $77.

Adelphian Concert Choir and Voci d'Amici

The Adelphian Concert Choir is one of Tacoma's finest choirs and is based at University of Puget Sound. The choir was founded in 1932 and features 48 voices. The choir has performed up and down the West Coast, in Canada and as far away as Europe. It will perform Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. at Kilworth Chapel on the UPS campus. Tickets are $8.50 and $4.50 for seniors, students and military.

South Sound Classical Choir

If you don't have a lot of spare funds on hand, but want to take in a holiday show, this one is for you. The South Sound Classical Choir is always free to see, but welcomes donations as well. Its final holiday show is Monday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma. 

Seattle Men's Chorus: Play It Again, Santa

The premier choir in town in the month of December is the Seattle Men's Chorus. Why premier? The Seattle Men's Chorus has just the right mix of amazing talent, cheeky humor and tunes. The choir likes to ham it up and invites the audience to sing along on several songs, both traditional and not so traditional. The Men's Chorus performs at Tacoma's Pantages Theater Thursday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $44 and $59.

Sonoro Women's Choir in Ceremony of the Carols

Girl power! The Sonoro Women's Choir will put on three performances in the Tacoma area intermixing both 4th-century and modern carols. Each performance will center on Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," with a dash or two of contemporary carols, too. You'll also have plenty of chances to sing along and join in the fun - and don't worry, the choir won't make you sing along to the 4th-century carols. Expect a visit from Santa at the performances, too. Shows are: Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Episcopal Church (310 N. K St., Tacoma); Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Church (10630 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood); Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at United Church (3912 Grandview Drive W., UP). Tickets are $15 regular and $10 for kids, seniors and military.

Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival

Another free choir performance comes with a heaping side of community. The Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival features several school choir performances alongside games, Santa upon a fire truck, crafts and - of course - a large Christmas tree getting lit (in the Christmas way). The whole shebang will go down at Tumwater City Hall Saturday, Dec. 14 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

See Also

South Sound Holiday Command Center

Calendar: Arts and Entertainment

Calendar: Music and Nightlife