Greater Bridgeport Symphony to celebrate holidays with ‘Holiday Quintessence’ Concert on December 20

Greater Bridgeport Symphony (GBS) continues its 80^th season exploring New Horizons. GBS is filling its sleigh with musical gifts for all ages, in a concert Holiday Quintessence conducted by Eduardo Leandro at The Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport, CT Saturday December 20 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now here.

GBS will fill the hall with joyous sounds of wintry Christmases past (Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Bizet, Handel) combined holiday classics (It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Silent Night, Sleigh Ride, O Holy Night and other carols). Winter Miraclewill combine the songs of Hanukkah with Vivaldi’s Winter, and there will be lots of opportunities to sing along. Bridgeport’s favorite chanteuse, Maureen Hamill will be joined by special guests including Mary Richard, Kerry Lambert and David Harris to provide vocals and lead the crowd in singing carols.

All of GBS’ 2025-26 concerts are themed by the five Classical elements: Air, Fire, Earth, Water, and the fifth element – Quintessence – which, like magic, takes in all the qualities not found anywhere else. “The holiday season is the quintessential time of the year,” says GBS President Mark Halstead. “It’s when the magic happens – people feel happy, get closer to their families and warm up to life. That’s the spirit in which we put together this concert, spreading some magic among our friends.”

The concert begins with Carol of the Bells, followed by Vivaldi’s iconic Winterfrom the Four Seasons (reprised later in Winter Miracle, both with violin soloistEmanouil Manolov). Then, a special gift for the young: Benjamin Britten’s Young People’s Guide to the Orchestra, a musical tour of the orchestra narrated byWSHU radio host Randye Kaye.

After intermission, there will be a special performance highlighting GBS’ commitment to education in the community. The Fairfield Ludlowe High School Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by their teacher, GBS violinist Suzanne Bryan, will play Celtic Carol. “This collaboration is so special to us,” saysGBS Executive Director Phyllis Cortese. “Eduardo worked with these students in class at Ludlowe this fall, and even more: Ludlowe is the alma mater of both Doris and Herb Harrington. Doris’ class of 1946 would be celebrating their 80^th anniversary this year, just like GBS.” Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, who both passed away last winter, were longtime benefactors of GBS; Mrs. Harrington served as GBS President, and later as its very active and influential Chairman of the Board for the last 13 years of her life. GBS has dedicated this entire season in their honor.

See the Message Center below for Connecticut’s top December events — from Hartford Wolf Pack games to events at Fairfield Theatre Company — and don’t miss our links for Connecticut merch by town!

“Most people don’t realize how much Christmas music comes directly from Classical music,” says Halstead. “This concert has pieces by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, and Handel; they’re all Christmastime favorites everyone already knows as Waltz of the Flowers, March of the Kings, and Joy to the World. We’ll also have sentimental gems like I’ll Be Home for Christmas and White Christmas. It’s a full night of music!” The concert concludes with a singalong led by youth singers fromthe Fairfield Theater Company Performing Arts Troupe.

Single tickets range from $21to $72 and can be purchased at www.GBS.org/tickets or by calling GBS at (203)576-0263. Kids under 19 are always free, with accompanying adults getting 15% off their tickets; only available for purchase by calling (203)576-0263. GBS also invites everyone attending the show to contribute non-perishable food items to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. A truck will be outside The Klein before the show to accept donations.

This is the third concert of five in GBS’ 80^th Season series, New Horizons. Each concert this season is themed after one of the Classical elements. In addition to Holiday Quintessence (December 20 at The Klein), GBS will present Horizons of the Earth (March 14 at Mertens Theater in the Bernhardt Center at the University of Bridgeport), and Horizons of Water(April 11 at The Klein). All three can be purchased at a 15% discount as a three-concert Silver Subscription ranging in price from $54 to $184 depending on seating location.

Make a night of it with dinner at Bridgeport’s Castle Black Rock, just 2.2 miles from The Klein. Anyone showing their December 20 concert ticket on concert nightgets 20% off their meal tab! Reservations recommended: (203)292-8410, thecastleblackrock@gmail.com.

Don’t miss

• Mt. Joy to celebrate 10-year anniversary with New Haven stop at Westville Music Bowl
• Interview: Soul Asylum opens for Bush at Mohegan Sun on December 14
• 16th Annual Heroes Tree Lighting Ceremony set for December 5th in Old Saybrook

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December events at Fairfield Theatre Company

November at Fairfield Theatre Company is packed with a diverse lineup of events, from live music and tribute shows to film and community gatherings. Highlights include Kelsey Waldon on November 1, Color Me Obsessed: A Film about The Replacements and The Monet plays Jamiroquai on the 2nd, Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez on the 4th, Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young on the 6th, and the FTC Encore Gala on the 8th. The month also features performances by Zoso, Paul Bogaev, Mike Farris, Tropidelic, Black Flag, Mary Fahl, Shemekia Copeland, Marshall Crenshaw, The Jayhawks, and more, including multi-night appearances from Reid Genauer Soloand festive events like Funksgiving. With something for every taste, November at FTC offers music, film, and seasonal celebrations for the whole community.

December 2025 calendar of events
12/4 -Ali McGuirk
12/5 – The Alternate Routes (Acoustic)
12/5 – The Tom Petty Project
12/6 – Bettlejuice Jr.
12/6 – The Alternate Routes (Electric)
12/7- Bettlejuice Jr.
12/9 – Bob Schneider / Steve Poltz
12/10 – Holiday In The Warehouse
12/12 – A Christmas Carol: The Musical
12/12 – Yacht Lobsters
12/13 – A Christmas Carol: The Musical
12/13 – TAB Benoit
12/14-A Christmas Carol: The Musical
12/16 – Built to Spill
12/17 – Teachrock
12/19 – The Alpaca Gnomes
12/20 – Caravan of Thieves
12/20 – The Weight Band
12/27 – The Crystal Pyramid Band
12/28 – CTGB Night

Click here for more information & order tickets.

Learn to cook this winter with AMG Catering

AMG Catering & Events in Wilton, Connecticut, is kicking off 2026 with a brand-new culinary class series packed with bold flavors, global inspiration, and seasonal comfort. Each session offers hands-on instruction, perfectly paired beverages, and a full menu of dishes to make together — all designed for home cooks of every skill level who love great food and a fun night out. Classes start January 14, 2026.

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December events at PeoplesBank Arena

12/5 – Springfield Thunderbirds vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
12/6 – Pentatonix, click here to purchase tickets
12/10- Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
12/12 – Texas vs UConn Men’s Basketball, click here to purchase tickets
12/13 – Andrea Bocelli, click here to purchase tickets
12/16 – Butler vs UConn Men’s Basketball, click here to purchase tickets
12/17 – Marquette vs UConn Women’s Basketball, click here to purchase tickets
12/19 – Syracuse Crunch vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets
12/27 – Harlem Globetrotters, click here to purchase tickets
12/31 – Bridgeport Islanders vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets

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Greater Bridgeport Symphony to celebrate holidays with ‘Holiday Quintessence’ Concert on December 20