If the thought of holiday music makes you want to throw yourself on the yule log, maybe you aren’t plugged into the right channels.
Start with the casinos. Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($44-$64) brings its Ghosts of Christmas Eve show to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville on Nov. 26 at 8 p.m., followed by the Pentatonix Christmas Tour ($45-$65) on Dec. 9 and 10; and the 96.5 TIC All Star Christmas ($50-$75) on Dec. 16, featuring the Backstreet Boys, Fergie and Max. mohegansun.com
Mannheim Steamroller ($50-$75) works the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Trap-Mas Party ($75-$95) on Dec. 15, featuring Cardi B., YFN Lucci, Dave East and Young M.A. foxwoods.com
Another 96.5 TIC All Star Christmas ($35) rolls up to the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., with Fall Out Boy, Bleachers and Arizona. Kenny Rogers ($35) brings The Gambler’s Last Deal: Christmas & Hits to the Oakdale on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. oakdale.com
Toad’s Place in New Haven offers a trifecta of holiday cheer: Kung Fu’s Annual Toys for Tots ($20-$25) gathers jammers Pink Talking Fish and Shira Elias and Sammi Garett of Turkuaz on Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. John Valby ($15-$20), aka Dr. Dirty, brings his XXX-Mas Show to Toad’s on Dec. 22 at 8 p.m., followed by Marion Meadows’ Annual Holiday Jazz Show ($20-$25) on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. toadsplace.com
The Guided By Voices Holiday Show ($30-$35) takes place at the Ballroom at the Outer Space in Hamden on Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. manicpresents.com
Kris Allen’s Something About Christmas with Marie Miller ($29-$49) takes place at Infinity Hall in Hartford on Dec. 1 at 8:30 p.m., followed by Christmas with the Celts ($39-$64) on Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Gary Hoey ($24-$39) brings his Ho-Ho Hoey Christmas Show to Infinity Hall in Norfolk on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., followed by Tribute to John Denver: Rocky Mountain Christmas ($29-$44), featuring Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon. infinityhall.com
Down in Fairfield, Slambovian Circus of Dreams’ Very Slambovian Christmas ($28) invades StageOne on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m., followed by One Tree Holiday ($32-$92) on Dec. 20 at 7:45 p.m., with Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele. fairfieldtheatre.org
Rock This Town ($8), a tribute to the Brian Setzer Orchestra, delivers a Christmas Extravaganza at Cafe Nine in New Haven on Dec. 2 at 8:30 p.m., followed by the free Golden Microphone Holiday Ramble on Dec. 17 at 1 p.m., with Bronson Rock, the Hickups and Graylight Campfire; and banjo master Tony Trischka’s Of A Winter’s Night Holiday Show ($15-$18) on Dec. 22 at 9 p.m. cafenine.com
Bridge Street Live in Collinsville serves up Horton’s Holiday Hayride ($35-$65) on Dec. 14 at 8 p.m., with Reverend Horton Heat, the Blasters and Big Sandy. 41bridgestreet.com
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Darlene Love ($60) celebrates the holidays at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m., followed by John Tesh’s Grand Piano Christmas Tour ($65) on Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.; Melissa Etheridge’s Merry Christmas Baby Tour ($125) on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.; Linda Eder’s Broadway-themed holiday show ($57) on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.; and Christmas with the Celts ($47.50) on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ridgefieldplayhouse.org
The Drifters ($65) perform a Holiday Magic Show at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook on Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus ($30) brings Twinkle: A Celestial Celebration to the Kate on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. katharinehepburntheater.org
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra presents December Dreams, Dec. 8 to 10 at the Belding Theater at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. hartfordsymphony.org.
If Messiah singing is your jam, head to the free annual Greater Hartford Handel’s Messiah Community Sing on Jan. 7 at Center Church (First Church of Christ) in Downtown Hartford. It’s BYOS (bring your own score). centerchurchhartford.org.
