Concerts for a merry occasion

The onset of winter in Los Angeles is less a meteorological shift than a cultural one, marked by holiday decorations and seasonal shopping but not snowfall or frozen lakes. One sure signifier of yuletide in the Southland is the swell of festive concerts, and whether you prefer yours traditional, kitschy, jazzy or punk-rock, chances are there’s something out there for you.

Aimee Mann Christmas Show

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Aimee Mann puts together a Christmas show like none other. Her wry, irreverent approach forgoes the usual yuletide cheer and confronts the holidays as a time fraught with emotional peril. Mann will be joined by husband Michael Penn, comedians Patton Oswalt and Paul F. Tompkins, indie power couple Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel, and others. Largo, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. 8:30 nightly through Sunday. $40. (310) 855-0350. https://www.largo-la.com.

Christmas Sweater Festival

This annual indie-rock concert and charity benefit harnesses the power of ugly holiday sweaters, as attendees and performers alike break out their worst woolen garments. The lineup includes festival founders the Deadly Syndrome, sweater vets Pity Party and rising band Polls. Net proceeds from the event will go to Teen Impact, a local program that supports teens fighting cancer and blood disorders. The Echoplex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Sat. $13 in advance, $15 day of show. (213) 413-8200. https://www.attheecho.com.

Colors of Christmas

Backed by a full orchestra and a gospel choir, soulful singers Peabo Bryson, James Ingram, Oleta Adams and Stephanie Mills will deliver an evening of holiday favorites. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. (562) 467-8818. $50-$95. https://www.cerritoscenter.com.

Holiday Jazz

The always innovative Luckman Jazz Orchestra, which is made up of musicians and composers from all over Los Angeles, gives the holidays the big-band treatment. The ensemble will rework seasonal classics into swinging jazz numbers. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, CSULA, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Sat. $25-$35. (323) 343-6600. https://www.luckmanarts.org.

Low

Nothing says Christmas quite like minimal rock music, so it’s fortunate that the Duluth, Minn.-based trio Low is touring behind the vinyl reissue of its 1999 album “Christmas,” which applies a restrained sound to original holiday songs and covers. Blues artist Charlie Parr will open. Ages 21 and older. Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A. 8:30 p.m. Wed. $12 in advance, $14 day of show. (323) 661-4380. https://www.clubspaceland.com.

The Xmas Special

The only sensible way for a punk band to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its debut is to hit the road, and local legend X is doing just that. It’ll perform the album “Los Angeles” in full, screen the documentary “X: The Unheard Music” and shred some Christmas songs as only it can. House of Blues Sunset Strip, 8430 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 9 p.m. Wed. $30. (323) 848-5100. https://www.houseofblues.com.

‘Messiah’ Singalong

Why let the professionals have all the fun? Folks looking to get in on the action can join this 2,200-strong singalong of Handel’s “Messiah” conducted by Grant Gershon, of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and featuring an orchestra and soloists on stage. Post-concert caroling in BP Hall will follow the concert. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Dec. 19. $19-$74. (213) 972-7282. https://www.lamc.org.

Back to classics

Because sometimes only the classics will do: The Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony and Southern California Children’s Concert Chorus perform warm, fuzzy favorites like “Ave Maria,” “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 8 p.m. Dec. 20. $20-$135. (714) 662-2345. https://www.pacificchorale.org.

L.A. County Holiday Celebration

With a bill as diverse as its namesake county, this multicultural showcase might seem disjointed anywhere else (though here it seems just right). The three-hour music-and-dance extravaganza blends Dixieland tap, Colombian folk music, traditional hula dancing, English carols and a hip-hop version of “Sleigh Ride.” Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 24. Free. https://www.holidaycelebration.org.

Holiday Wonders

The Los Angeles Master Chorale presents a festive matinee of carols and seasonal songs including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The First Noel.” John West will play the organ. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 2:30 p.m. Sat. $29-$94. (213) 972-7282. https://www.lamc.org.

Holiday Organ Spectacular

The spectacular Walt Disney Concert Hall organ — all 6,134 pipes — will come alive when organist David Higgs, soprano Lisa Vroman and others perform an eclectic program of holiday music. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. $25-$74. (323) 850-2000. https://www.laphil.com.

Christmas Memories

Singer Debby Boone (daughter of singer and actor Pat Boone) and Broadway star John Davidson team up for an evening of holiday music and storytelling. They’ll be backed by the Dick Parent Orchestra. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. $55. (310) 506-4522. arts.pepperdine.edu.

Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys

Now in its 15th year, Stevie Wonder’s annual benefit concert boasts a star-studded lineup with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Melanie Fiona, Janelle Monae and more. Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, 777 Chick Hearn Court, L.A. 8 p.m. Dec. 18. $55-$149.50. (213) 763-6030. https://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Advent/Christmas Recital

Organist and soprano Karla Devine performs her annual recital at Trinity Lutheran, which boasts one of only two organs in the Southland built by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders (the other is at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown L.A.). Trinity Lutheran Church, 1340 11th St., Manhattan Beach. 4 p.m. Dec. 19. Free-will donations will be accepted. https://www.palosverdes.com/TLCmusic.

The Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show

Grammy-winning jazz-pop vocal quartet the Manhattan Transfer will put its distinct spin on a program of popular seasonal songs. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Dec. 21. $29-$86. (323) 850-2000. https://www.laphil.com.

An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas

Lovers of Celtic culture, take note: Virtuoso fiddler Eileen Ivers will be joined by her talented band and a company of Irish dancers for this Christmas celebration. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Dec. 23. $29-$86. (323) 850-2000. https://www.laphil.com.

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