Chicago a cappella announces Holidays a cappella

Chicago a cappella (CAC), Chicago’s premier unaccompanied vocal ensemble, kicks off the holiday season with Holidays a cappella. A popular CAC tradition celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this year, Holidays a cappella explores how centuries of music have expressed the wonder of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter season, from ancient chants and Renaissance carols to contemporary works and cherished holiday classics. Rich with beauty, warmth, and timeless tradition, this treasured annual concert invites audiences to experience the holidays through music old and new. Touring throughout Chicagoland December 4-13, 2026, Holidays a cappella kicks off at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago before making stops in Oak Park, Naperville and Evanston. Additionally, a special Family-Friendly edition of the concert will take place at Fourth Presbyterian Church on December 11 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now at chicagoacappella.org.

The program for Holidays a cappella includes works from throughout history and across the globe from Palestrina’s 16^th Century double-choir setting of the Magnificat to a world premiere arrangement of Of the Father’s Love Begotten by CAC’s own Artistic Director John William Trotter. It visits Scandinavia via Kim André Arnesen’s arrangement of the Norwegian carol Lovely is the Dark Blue Sky then moves to Spain with Hacia Belén va un Borrico – a theatrical, upbeat children’s carol about a donkey. The program includes two pieces from CAC’s 2023 album Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah - Robert Abpplebaum’s Funky Dreidl, a jazzy take on the familiar dreidel melody, and Biy’mey Mattiyahu by CAC founder and longtime Artistic Director Jonathan Miller, which uses text from the core of the Hanukkah worship service. Familiar classics like We Wish You a Merry Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful, Angels We Have Heard on High, and many more, round out the program before it comes to a rousing end with Nutcracker Medley arranged by Jamey Ray.

The family-friendly edition of Holidays a cappella on December 11 will feature a shorter program with additional sing-alongs and activities designed for children, with cheaper ticket prices and free entry for kids under 5. Families are invited to bring children of all ages for this fun and relaxed program curated especially for kids.

“Holidays a cappella has been a beloved tradition for us, our singers, and our audiences for 25 seasons,” said CAC Executive Director Matt Greenberg, “This year, the theme is folding together the old and the new, incorporating music both ancient and modern—sometimes in the same piece. With our opening concert on the first night of Hanukkah this year, we really are ushering in the holiday season, and we can’t wait to celebrate this special time of year with our audiences throughout Chicagoland.”

Holidays a cappella singers include sopranos Megan Bell, Rebecca Fitzpatrick, and Amanda Kohl; mezzo-sopranos Miya Higashiyama and Chelsea Lyons; tenors Trevor Mitchell and Alan Taylor; and basses Matthew Brennan, Adam Kosberg and Joe Labozetta.

The Co-Music Directors are John William Trotter and Ryan Cox.

Tickets and Performances:

The performance schedule for Holidays a cappella is as follows:

• Friday, December 4 at 7:30 PM at Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. in Chicago
• Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 PM at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. in Oak Park
• Sunday, December 6 at 4:00 PM at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville
• Sunday, December 13 at 3:00 PM at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. in Evanston

Special family-friendly Holidays a cappella concert:

• Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM at Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. in Chicago

Tickets are $45-$65 when purchased in advance and increase $5 at the door. A limited number of $10 Student tickets and Pay-What-You-Can tickets available at select performances. Tickets for the family-friendly concert are $35 for adults, $10 for kids ages 5-18, and free for kids under 5.

Additionally, audiences have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to receive a link to a digital version of the performance to stream from home beginning the week of December 21. Further discounts are available for members and groups of ten or more. Tickets are available now at chicagoacappella.org.

About CAC:

Chicago a cappella is a dynamic ensemble comprising ten exceptionally talented singers who passionately celebrate every music genre. With remarkable voices, charismatic personalities, and an unwavering commitment to ensemble singing, their creative concert experiences forge deep connections with audiences, inspiring both awe and laughter. Founded in the early '90s, Chicago a cappella has traversed the nation, collaborated with esteemed guest artists, and earned accolades for their concerts and recordings.