TMR Forecast: Music and performances for the holidays – December 2025
by Heather Parish
The holidays bring a flurry of festive music to the Fresno area, offering plenty of reasons to step out, bundle up, and let the season’s soundtrack work its magic. Two events anchor the month. The Fresno Philharmonic’s Home for the Holidays (Dec. 13) concert, presented with the Fresno Master Chorale, comes complete with lobby caroling, hot chocolate, and photo ops by the Christmas tree. Also from the Fresno Community Chorus, Coro Piccolo’s “And Suddenly With the Angels” (Dec. 7) fills the intimate St. Anne’s Chapel with the sacred warmth of Christmas music.
Around these highlights, the calendar sparkles with student showcases, visiting artists, candlelit concerts, and beloved traditions—from Fresno City College’s Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert to multiple productions of “The Nutcracker.” Stage favorites such as “A Christmas Carol” and “Something Rotten!” keep spirits bright as the month rolls on. However you celebrate, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your December with music and good cheer.
Select Performances
Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert – Fresno City College. Dec. 2.
Fresno State Jazz Festival Night Concert – Fresno State School of Music. Dec. 4.
Anna Webber and Angela Morris with the Fresno State Jazz Orchestra
The Nutcracker – World Ballet Company. Dec. 5.
Shrek: The Musical – Children’s Musical Theaterworks. Dec. 5 – 14.
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A London Symphony – Fresno State Symphony Orchestra. Dec. 6
Holiday Choral Concert – Fresno State Vocal Ensembles. Dec. 7
Home for the Holidays – Fresno Philharmonic with the Fresno Master Chorale. Dec. 13.
Includes lobby caroling, hot chocolate, and photos by the Christmas tree.
Coro Piccolo’s “And Suddenly With the Angels” – Fresno Community Chorus. Dec. 7.
The sacred music of Christmas in the intimate St. Anne’s Chapel.
Christmas Carols on Strings at The Grand 1401 – Candlelight Concerts. Dec. 19.
A quartet of professional musicians play music by candlelight in this concert series that plays in multiple locations worldwide throughout the year.
The Nutcracker – Lively Arts & Central California Ballet. Dec. 20 & 21.
Continuing
A Christmas Carol – Good Company Players. Through Dec. 21.
This original adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic at the 2nd Space Theatre.
Something Rotten! – GCP at Roger Rocka’s. Through Jan. 18
The musical send-up of Shakespeare continues on the Dinner Theater stage.
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The central San Joaquin Valley has more cultural arts events than The Munro Review can cover. This listing is intended to raise awareness of more options than can be covered in these pages. This list is not comprehensive, and TMR does not generally cover K-12 school performances or youth performance academies. If you have information on a community or regional production to share, email press releases to donaldfresnoarts@gmail.com or heather.parish@yahoo.com
