UGA Presents invites audiences to savor the holiday season with four vibrant, artistically diverse performances as part of the 2025 Holiday Music Series. Spanning the first three weeks of December, this year’s series brings together acclaimed singers, Celtic folk masters, genre-defying instrumental innovators, and one of the nation’s leading orchestras for a sequence of concerts designed to inspire, uplift, and evoke the magic of the season. All performances will take place in Hodgson Concert Hall, located within the UGA Performing Arts Center.
Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas
Friday, December 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Voctave, the chart-topping a cappella sensation known for its soaring harmonies and cinematic arrangements, returns to Athens with an expanded holiday program crafted especially for family audiences. It Feels Like Christmas showcases Voctave’s signature blend of technical precision and Hollywood-style vocal warmth, drawing on classic carols, contemporary holiday favorites, and Disney selections that highlight the ensemble’s versatility.
The 11-member vocal group — whose videos have amassed millions of views — has earned praise for its lush sound and crystal-clear soloists. The performance promises both intimate moments and full-bodied choral brilliance, offering a festive opening to the Holiday Music Series. This performance is sponsored by Dr. Maxine and John Rofrano.
Lúnasa: An Irish Solstice Celebration
Wednesday, December 10 | 7:30 p.m.
Beloved worldwide for their virtuosic solos and sophisticated arrangements, the Irish supergroup Lúnasa brings the spirit of the winter solstice to Athens. Named after an ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season, Lúnasa has spent nearly three decades at the forefront of Irish traditional music, touring the world and reshaping the possibilities of Celtic folk performance.
An Irish Solstice Celebration blends reels, jigs, airs, and newly arranged seasonal tunes into a warm, communal musical experience featuring fiddle, pipes, whistles, guitars, bass, and flute. Their Athens program invites listeners into the storytelling heart of Irish music — joyful, reflective, and rich with midwinter symbolism. The concert is supported by James and Leslie de Haseth.
Béla Fleck & The Flecktones: Jingle All the Way
Thursday, December 18 | 7:30 p.m.
For the first time in more than a decade, banjo visionary Béla Fleck reunites the original Flecktones lineup for an electrifying holiday tour. Jingle All the Way draws from their Grammy Award-winning holiday album of the same name, an acclaimed project that merges jazz improvisation, bluegrass roots, classical flair, world-music textures, and unmistakable rhythmic playfulness.
Audiences can expect virtuosic interpretations of holiday standards and special appearances by saxophonist Jeff Coffin and the mesmerizing Tuvan throat-singing ensemble Alash. The result is a one-of-a-kind December performance that defies genre boundaries and showcases some of the most inventive musicians working today. This performance is sponsored by Sandy Strother Hudson and Cecil C. Hudson.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah (Christmas Portion)
Sunday, December 21 | 3:00 p.m.
A treasured Athens tradition returns as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus present the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and the exultant “Hallelujah” Chorus. With the ASO’s trademark polish and the refined vocal blend of the Chamber Chorus, this performance offers a stirring and contemplative centerpiece for the holiday season.
The program will open with Mozart’s Mass in C Major, K. 317 (“Coronation Mass”), adding musical grandeur and a sense of ceremony to the afternoon. Long admired for its elegance and melodic beauty, the Coronation Mass complements Handel’s drama and spiritual intensity, creating a concert experience that is both festive and deeply moving. This concert is supported by David Coker and Sharon Price.
TICKETS
Securing tickets for these UGA Presents performances couldn’t be easier. There are three ways to choose from:
- Purchase tickets online 24/7 here.
- Call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5 minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
You may also create your own series of three or more performances (10% off). UGA Presents single tickets start at just $30 with promo code PAC30 and UGA student tickets are $15. Information about accessibility and venue amenities is available on the PAC website. Parking is free.
