Rocking with the Reindeer to Live Music in NYC This Weekend

Suzanne Vega at City Winery NYC in November 2021; she performs her "Home for the Holidays" show there tonight and twice again next week

Most musicians and venue staff will be Santa’s helpers this weekend, so there are not as many concerts as usual. Nevertheless, nothing soothes the soul like good live music. There are many reasons to get out and enjoy the joyous sounds.

Everynight Charley recommends the following 20+ performances in New York City this holiday weekend. Contact the venue to confirm show times, ticket availability, COVID compliance, and other updates. Note that several artists and indoor venues continue to require proof of COVID vaccinations and/or mandate the wearing of masks.

Matisyahu at the Brooklyn Bowl on December 21

Los Lobos at City Winery NYC on December 19 (photograph by Kevin Keane)

Adult Fantasy Novel at Mercury Lounge on December 18

Emanuel & the Fear at Mercury Lounge on December 22

Friday, December 23

• Chris Botti at the Blue Note

• Yo La Tengo, Calvin Trillin, Mali Obomsawin at the Bowery Ballroom

• Suzanne Vega at City Winery NYC

• Justin Vivian Bond at Joe's Pub

• The National Reserve at Skinny Dennis, Brooklyn

• TRIST, Mad Kat, Barbicide, Abbie Roper, No Love Songs at Otto's Shrunken Head

• The Michael Hill Acoustic Trio at Terra Blues

• SaRon Crenshaw Band at Terra Blues

• Galdort Gumbo & His Righteous Cats at the Bitter End

Hans & the Verge at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1, on Decmber 17

The Usual Mess at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1, on December 21

Evangeline Young at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1, on December 22

Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve

• Chris Botti at the Blue Note

• Yo La Tengo, Janeane Garafalo, Ava Mendoza at the Bowery Ballroom

• Fred Thomas at Arthur's Tavern

• The Bobby Bryan Trio at Terra Blues

• Jr. Mack Band at Terra Blues

• Contemporary Adults at the Anyway Cafe

• Jackson Scott at the Anyway Cafe

jade. at the Bowery Electric on December 17

Harrison Dolan at the Bowery Electric on December 20 (photograph by Ira Zadikow)

Contemporary Adults at the Anyway Cafe on December 20

Francois Wiss & Daniel Langlois at the Anyway Cafe on December 17

Sunday, December 25 Christmas

• Chris Botti at the Blue Note

• Yo La Tengo, Todd Barry, the Sun Ra Arkestra at the Bowery Ballroom

• David Broza at City Winery NYC

• Sashka Drey at the Anyway Cafe

• Assaf Salhov at the Anyway Cafe

• The Pioneers at Terra Blues

Steve Krebs & the Maynard G's at the Endless Party at the Parkside Lounge on December 17

Rich Townsend and the Nightrain (with Steve Marshall on harmonica) at Stitch Bar & Blues on December 17 (photograph by Nicholas Cohen)

The Mike LeDonne Trio at the Cellar Dog on December 18 (photograph by Seth Okrend)

Ed Cherry (guitar) at the Cellar Dog (photograph by Seth Okrend)

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's December calendar.