From carols sung by choirs to Handel鈥檚 Messiah performed by orchestras, the sound of the holidays is all around.
This week, fans of holiday music have their choice of events to enjoy and even sing along to familiar tunes:
鈥� St. Andrew鈥檚 Presbyterian Church is hosting a Christmas Carol Singalong today. Sing traditional carols in the church鈥檚 sanctuary accompanied by the organ as well as soloists and a violinist. The event is free and refreshments will be served. The singalong is from noon to 1 p.m. today at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Broughton and Douglas streets.
鈥⒙� The Greater Victoria Concert Band presents A Winter鈥檚 Night with the Greater Victoria Concert Band and the Parkland Secondary School senior concert band. Proceeds benefit the school鈥檚 music program. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students, available at Mary Winspear box office. The concert is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney. For more information, go to gvcb.ca.
鈥� Enjoy Celtic music and dance at Celtic Yuletide, a performance by local group Cookeilidh at St. Ann鈥檚 Academy auditorium. The two-hour concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, features Irish and Highland dancing. Tickets are $16 and available at the Royal and McPherson box offices or online. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door at 835 Humboldt St. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, go to rmts.bc.ca.
鈥� Saturday鈥檚 third annual Victoria Figgy Pudding Carolling Competition brings the voices of Victoria to Bastion Square. Groups will give two 10-minute performances. Watch beginner to seasoned carolers vie in various categories. The competition runs from 1 to 3 p.m., with awards and singalong from 3:15 to 4鈯噋.m.
鈥� Sister-and-brother duo Qristina and Quinn Bachand perform a Celtic Christmas Ceilidh on Saturday. The program includes fiddle tunes, Irish tenor banjo, guitar duets and step dancing. Admission is $15 and $10. Children 10 and under admitted free. The performance is at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 2964 Richmond Rd. For more information, go to qbachand.com.
鈥� Don鈥檛 be late for the Early Music Christmas Concert by the Early Music Society of the Islands. Enjoy sacred and festive music from Italy, Spain and Latin America as performed by El Mundo with Richard Savino on guitar.
The group will perform works by Corelli, Monteverdi, Legrenzi, Sebastian Duron and others. Admission is $20 to $27.
There is a lecture at 7:10, followed by the performance at 8 p.m. Saturday at Alix Goolden Hall, 901 Pandora Ave.
For more information, go to earlymusicsocietyofthe islands.ca/concerts.php.
鈥� Ever dreamed of singing with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir? Join the choir Saturday for its Family Christmas Carol Singalong. Peter Butterfield conducts the audience in favourite traditional carols, with the 50-voice Victoria Philharmonic Choir adding harmonies at this annual event.
Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students and free for children 12 and under. Advance tickets are recommended.
Doors open at 6.30 p.m. and the performance begins at 7 at St. Mary鈥檚 Church, 1701 Elgin St. in Oak Bay. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
A few benches at the front are reserved for families with small children.
For more information, go to familychristmassing alongvpc.eventbrite.ca or vpchoir.ca.
