It starts to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go… in Hendersonville.

And that’s how it should be, even for people who don’t particularly like Christmas music. It only happens a few weeks each year, and when it’s live it’s so much better than the recorded loops we hear over our heads as we shop.

Last weekend I enjoyed seeing and hearing the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra’s Appalachian Christmas concert at Blue Ridge Community College. This was my first time attending a performance by the Hendo Orchestra, and due to the pandemic, it was the first time the orchestra had performed in college since their Christmas 2019 concert. It was in almost a full house to hear some very interesting and creative arrangements. Hats off to conductor Eric Scheider for fusing the strength of an orchestra with the talents of musicians – Graham Sharp and Julian Pinelli – who specialize in roots, bluegrass and old time music. I can’t wait to hear the Orchestra’s spring concerts.

With the holidays that count the days until the visit of Santa Claus and the arrival of 2022, several Christmas concerts are planned this weekend. As you can imagine, the local churches are all devoted to Christmas music. St. John in the Wilderness, Covenant Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church – Hendersonville, Grace Lutheran Church and West Hendersonville Baptist Church all have Christmas programs with live music this weekend. Two will present music for piano and organ, one will be choir singing, another will host Advent lessons and Christmas carols, and the last will have three singing Christmas trees. Everyone should see and hear a Christmas tree singing at least once. You only have to hear Christmas carols in church to have that Christmas spirit at home.

For those who prefer their Christmas music in a more secular environment, Point Lookout Vineyards will have both The Caribbean Cowboys and Sound Investment playing seasonal tunes. But just because venues don’t promote Christmas music doesn’t mean you won’t hear it while you sip beer and wine. Chances are, Geriatric Jukebox at 305, Myron Hyman in both St. Paul and Sawyer Springs, and Daniel Sage at The 2nd Act all slipping in a few Christmas carols at their respective gigs.

I’m a little curious to hear psychedelic Christmas classics from guitarist Eric Congdon, who will be at the Southern Appalachian. And for the ultimate Christmas caroling and dancing show, there’s still time to catch the annual Flat Rock Playhouse show, which wraps up this Sunday.

Pace yourself: There’s still a week to go until the big day and plenty of live music to hear.

305 Salon & Restaurant

305 N. Main St., Hendersonville

Friday, December 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Geriatric Jukebox, husband and wife play guitar and sing everyone’s favorite songs

Appalachian Ridge Craft Hard Cider

749 Chestnut Gap Road, Hendersonville

Saturday December 18, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Brian Ashley Jones, soul singer, acclaimed guitarist, country, blues

Sunday December 19. 2 pm-5pm, Hummingtree Band, three older men with stringed instruments, Dave Miles, Earl Turner and Randy Wykoff, troubadours from WNC and the Carolinas

Bold rock cider

72 School House Road, Mills River

Saturday December 18, 6-9 p.m., John Paris, jazz-folk, psychedelic-rock, soloist, songwriter, originals

Scorched Shirt Vineyards

2695 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville

Friday December 17, 3 p.m.-6 p.m., Ken & Nicole, singers, guitarist, ukulele, covers, rock, pop, country, folk, Americana

Alliance Presbyterian Church

2101 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville

Saturday, December 18, 6 p.m., A Keyboard Christmas, six pianists and organists play holiday favorites

D9 Hendersonville Brewery

425 N. Main St, Hendersonville

Friday December 17th, 7-10 p.m., Seth & Sara, husband and wife, strings and percussion, originals, covers, roots, Americana

Dry Falls Brewery

425 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville

Friday December 17th, 7-10 p.m., The Lads avl, quartet, covers, originals, classic rock, blues, roots, acoustic or electric

Saturday December 18, 7-10 p.m., The Double Naught Spies, classic rock and deep-cut blues band

First United Methodist Church – Hendersonville

204 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville

Sunday December 19, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Once Upon a December Makena James in concert, organ and piano, free

Flat rock play house

2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock

Until December 19, various times and dates, A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas, a holiday music extravaganza, a WNC tradition

Grace Lutheran Church

1245 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville

Saturday, December 18, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Holiday Sing-Along with the Carolina Concert Choir, adults $ 10

Guidon Brewery

415 8th Avenue East, Hendersonville

Friday December 17th, 7-9 p.m., Chris Wayne, rockabilly, blues, covers, originals

Mills River Brewing Co.

336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River

Friday December 17, 7-10 p.m., Asheville-based Gin Mill Pickers, Randy Sarton and Eric Ellis, retro-fitted folk / rag, Americana, Piedmont Blues, semi-unplugged

Oklawaha Brewing Company

147 1st Avenue E. Hendersonville

Thursday December 16, 7-9 p.m., Kid Billy, Billy Litz, Asheville-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, roots, blues, ragtime, songwriter

Friday December 17, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., Wyatt Espalin, singer, songwriter, fiddler, alternative folk, originals

Saturday December 18, 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m., Sumsun, Judson Rogers, electronics, originals, based in Hendersonville

Sunday December 19, 4-6 p.m., Human Ladder, Ryan Price, guitarist, singer, songwriter, 60s and 70s pop, soloist and band member, eclectic

Point Lookout Wineries

408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville

Friday December 17, 6-9 p.m., Christmas Sound Investment Rock, four middle-aged men, covers from the 60s and 80s, dance orchestra, three-party harmony

Saturday December 18, 4 pm-7pm, Caribbean Cowboys, 10-piece group, classic rock, southern rock, R&B, Reggae, beach, country, Christmas music

Dinner Pops

860 N. Main St., Hendersonville

Friday December 17th, 6-8 p.m., Johnnie Blackwell, singer, guitarist, rocker

The Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards

588 Chestnut Gap Road, Hendersonviller

Saturday December 18, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Collin Cheek, covers, originals, singer, guitarist

Sunday December 19, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Ken & Nicole, singers, guitarist, ukulele, covers, rock, pop, country, folk, Americana

Flat rock of the vineyards of the Saint Paul mountain

2698 C Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock

Saturday December 18, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Myron Hyman, soloist, singer, guitarist, easy listening, covers, rock, country, folk

Sawyer Springs Vineyard

124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville

Sunday December 19, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Myron Hyman, soloist, singer, guitarist, easy listening, covers, rock, country, folk

Sierra Nevada Mill River

100 Sierra Nevada Road, Mills River

Saturday December 18, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Sidecar Honey Trio, indie, Americana, rock, Southern roots

Sunday December 19, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Travis Shallow, singer, songwriter, originals, Americana, soul, rock

Southern Appalachian Brewery

822, rue Locust, Ste. 100, Hendersonville

Thursday December 16, 6-8 p.m., extraordinary WNC guitarist Eric Congdon plays Solo Christmas Jam

Friday December 17th, 6-8 p.m., JED Flanders, rock to reggae covers

Saturday December 18, 6-8 p.m., Tools on Stools, Mark McDaniel on guitar, Howie Johnson on guitar, blues, jazz, rock, acoustic

Sunday December 19, noon to 3 p.m., Hendo Showcase Brunch with Mare Carmody, Michael “Country” Carver and Paul McIntire, acoustic

South Rock Sports Grill

830 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville

Friday December 17, 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m., karaoke

St. John in the desert

1895 Greenville Road, Flat Rock

Sunday December 19, 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., Advent lessons & Songs

The 2nd Act coffee, wine and craft beer bar

101 E. Allen Street, Hendersonville

Friday December 17th, 6-9pm, 3 Shades of Gray, Bob Zullo, Dex Stutzman & James Leyva focusing on vocal harmonies from the 70s and beyond

Saturday, December 18, 7 p.m., Daniel Sage, world-class singer and songwriter, eclectic, covers, originals

The Dugout Sports Bar & Taphouse

430 N. Main St., Hendersonville

Thursday, December 16, 8 p.m. to midnight, Carolina Coal Company, Hendersonville-based hard rock group

Friday December 17, 8 p.m. to midnight, Ricky Gunter Band, singer, songwriter, country

Saturday December 18, 8 p.m.-midnight, The Loudes, Asheville-based, punk, folk, rock

The Poé House

105 1st Avenue West, Hendersonville

Friday December 17th, 7-10 p.m., Howie Johnson,, singer, guitarist, rocker, based on Hendo

Saturday December 18, 7-10 p.m., Mr. Jimmy, Chicago blues

Triskele brewing company

340 7th Avenue East, Hendersonville

Saturday December 18, 7-10 p.m., Short ‘n Lowe, alternative rock band, originals, Nashville-based

West Hendersonville Baptist Church

730 Willow Road, Hendersonville

Saturday December 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3 singing trees, free

Want to be included in “Live Music? »Email your information to Steve Wong at Just4Wong@Gmail.com by 8:00 am Monday for upcoming Thursday-Sunday. Remember to send details about your performers along with a good high resolution photo.