Union County to Celebrate the Season at Holiday Concerts this Weekend
The Union County Board of County Commissioners announce that Union County residents can celebrate the season at a variety of holiday concerts presented this coming weekend in Westfield, Cranford, Summit and New Providence. The concerts are presented by arts organizations receiving a 2024 Union County Local Arts grant, administered through the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.
“The holiday season is a time to connect and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors. These concerts offer a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the incredible talent of our local arts organizations, made possible through the Union County Local Arts grant,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “I encourage everyone to attend and experience the joy and inspiration that live performances bring.”
“The arts have the power to bring us together, especially during the holidays. These concerts reflect the diverse cultural fabric of Union County and highlight the vital role of the arts in our community,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are proud to support these programs and the talented artists who make them possible.”
The concerts are made possible by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
For more information, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org or call 908-558-2550 weekdays (relay users dial 711).
Friday, December 13th in Westfield
Community Band presents their 35th Annual Free Holiday Concert at 7:30 pm.
The band will perform traditional, popular and contemporary holiday selections, along with the Edison Intermediate School Broadway Singers.
The concert will be held at Edison Intermediate School Auditorium, 800 Rahway Ave., Westfield. westfieldcommunityband.com
Friday December 13th and Saturday, December 14th in Cranford
On Friday Dec. 13 and Saturday Dec. 14, the Celebration Singers present their annual winter concert at 8 pm.
“Hearth, Harmony and the Journey Home” will include wide-ranging selections performed by the multi-generational Celebration Singers, known for choral music reflecting diverse genres and cultures.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for youth & seniors, and FREE for children under 9.
The concert will be held at St. Michael’s Church, 40 Alden St., Cranford.
Saturday, December 14th in Summit
On Saturday Dec. 14, the Concord Singers present their holiday concert, “Keep Your Lamps,” at 4 pm
Performing music inspired by the winter solstice and sacred traditions. Conducted by Matthew Zabiegala, the program will feature musical styles and genres from around the world, with works by Abbie Betinis, Josef Rheinberger, Rosephanye Powell, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Uzee Brown Jr., and Camille Saint-Saëns.
Tickets are $20, available at the door or at concordsingers.org/events-tickets/.
The concert will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church, 31 Woodland Ave., Summit.
Saturday, December 14th in New Providence
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Summit Chorale presents their Winter Holiday Concert, “Dona Nobis Pacem” at 7:30 pm.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the December 1944 Battle of the Bulge, the Chorale will perform Dona Nobis Pacem — a powerful anthem for peace composed in 1936 by Ralph Vaughan Williams, with hope for averting a second World War. Featured soloists are soprano Julia Lamon and baritone Christian Waugh.
The Chorale will also perform popular Christmas songs that Americans would have heard on the radio during World War II, including I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Happy Holiday, White Christmas, and Let It Snow!
Tickets are $25 in advance at summitchorale.org/concerts-and-events.html or $30 at the door. The concert will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 524 South St., New Providence.
December 15th in Summit
On Sunday, Dec. 15, the Summit Symphony presents a Free Holiday Pops Concert at 2 pm.
Featuring favorite holiday songs from popular movies, plus classic holiday selections, the symphony will perform music of the season, including The Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride, L’Arlessienne Suite by Bizet, The Klezmer Nutcracker, and The Christmas Song.
Summit Symphony is led and conducted by Michael Avagliano. The concert is free; donations are welcomed.
The concert will be held at Summit High School, 125 Kent Place Blvd, Summit.