Looking for a way to enjoy the sounds of the season that doesn't have anything to do with Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You?" No problem. Ahead, we've laid out the classic — like Mannheim Steamroller Christmas — and the untraditional — a 98 Degrees holiday concert (yeah, that's right) — shows taking place throughout Greater Cincinnati that capture the magic of the holiday season.
Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
Local folk rockers Over the Rhine bring their annual Christmas concert to Memorial Hall. 8 p.m. Dec. 16-17; 4 p.m. Dec. 18. $44-$74. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, memorialhallotr.com.
A Boy Band Christmas
It may be cold outside, but it’s about to be 98 degrees inside Hard Rock Casino for A Boy Band Christmas. This holiday concert features all your favorites from the 1990s: Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffree and Jeff Timmons of Cincinnati’s hometown harmonizers 98 Degrees; members of All-4-One and O-Town; and Ryan Cabrera. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Tickets start at $74. Hard Rock Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Downtown, hardrockcasinocincinnati.com.
A Very Motherfolk Christmas
Local indie group Motherfolk presents their annual Christmas show, open to all ages. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. $20. Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, livenation.com.
Christmas with No Promises
Local a cappella ensemble No Promises hosts multiple holiday shows featuring tunes from the likes of Pentatonix, Gordon Lightfoot and Andy Williams. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 ($25) at the Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, thecarnegie.com. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 (free) at Community of the Good Shepherd, 8815 E. Kemper Road, Montgomery, nopromisesvocalband.com. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 (free) at St. Columban Parish, 894 Oakland Road, Loveland, nopromisesvocalband.com. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 ($25) at Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre, 801 Matson Place, Price Hill, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.
Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer
Music Hall’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ comes to life with holiday classics and vocal performances from the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus. Dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet’s academy will also perform pieces from The Nutcracker. 7 p.m. Dec. 9. $32; $27 students/seniors. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatiarts.org.
Holiday Pops
John Morris Russell conducts the Cincinnati Pops, with additional appearances by the Annie Moses Band and local high school ensembles, in a program of winter and holiday hits. 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets start at $26. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatisymphony.org.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Listen to the sound of Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas classics, plus songs by founder and leader Chip Davis. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Tickets start at $31.50. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
Santamania 2022
The self-described “annual wild-ass holly jolly Jingle Ball” is back at the Mockbee with all of Cincinnati’s best underground bands on three different stages. Acts include Tweens, Leggy, Vacation, Fruit LoOops, Blood Chill and more, including a handful of acts from Lexington, Philadelphia and Columbus. 6 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17. $10, The Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, Brighton, facebook.com/themockbee.
The Christmas Schmidtacular with Mandy Gaines
The jazzy Steve Schmidt Trio plays seasonal songs with Mandy Gaines. 7-8:15 p.m. and 9-10:15 p.m. Dec. 15. $10-$40. Caffe Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, caffevivace.com.
Maurice Mattei & The Tempers Christmas Show
Local musical storyteller and singer/songwriter Mattei presents his Christmas show with his band the Tempers. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Free admission. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com.
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