10 must-see L.A. concerts this holiday season

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Los Angeles is brimming with live music this holiday season, offering something for everyone—whether you want to entertain visiting family or just enjoy a night out. From K-pop to alternative rock and R&B/hip-hop, we’ve rounded up 10 can’t-miss concerts happening from after Thanksgiving through early 2026.

I caught Iluka at the Moroccan Lounge on December 4th, and wow! This artist, originally from Australia but now based in L.A., has this amazing sound – it’s got a desert vibe with really catchy melodies and a cool rock edge. What I especially love is that her music is powerfully feminist – her song “Crucify Me” has this incredible chorus about not being able to bring her down. She just released a new single, “Hard to Love Me,” and it’s exactly the kind of emotional pop ballad we’ve been missing since Adele. The show was a release party for her album, “The Wild, the Innocent and the Raging,” and it felt like the start of something really big for her. I have a feeling she’s going places!

KIIS-FM’s Jingle Ball is coming to the Intuit Dome on December 5th, featuring today’s biggest pop artists like Alex Warren, Audrey Hobert, Jessie Murph, Reneé Rapp, Leon Thomas, and Zara Larsson. A major highlight will be a performance by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami – the group behind the hit song “Golden” from the Netflix series “KPop Demon Hunters,” which is up for a Grammy Award. Conan Gray, Feid, Jackson Wang, The Kid Laroi, and Sean Paul will also be performing. — Mikael Wood

Ben Folds will be performing at the new Los Angeles location of the Blue Note jazz club on December 11th. This comes shortly after his departure from the Kennedy Center. He released the Christmas album “Sleigher” last year and will likely play songs from it, as well as his popular hits. After a difficult year for the city, this concert promises a warm and festive atmosphere. — A.B.

Katseye performed at the Hollywood Palladium on December 13th. While a Grammy win next year might be a stretch for the rising girl group, just being nominated is a major achievement. Katseye is structured like a K-pop group, with training and connections to Hybe, but they’re clearly aiming for a broader American audience. Their nomination, along with those of artists like Rosé, Bruno Mars, and “Golden,” signifies a turning point – the Recording Academy is now recognizing K-pop as mainstream pop music. In the short time they’ve been together, Katseye has consistently delivered impressive performances. — A.B.

KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas at the Kia Forum on December 13th featured a lineup that felt like a blast from the past with bands like Evanescence, Papa Roach, Social Distortion, Rise Against, the All-American Rejects, Third Eye Blind, and Yellowcard. However, the night also included some exciting newer acts. Be sure to check out Wet Leg, a U.K. post-punk band, and The Paradox, an energetic pop-punk group from Atlanta who recently opened for Green Day and Jack White after gaining popularity through viral videos. — A.B.

Cameron Winter will perform at the Palace Theatre on December 13th and 14th. He recently played a popular show in Los Angeles with his band, Geese, at the Fonda Theatre, attracting a notable audience including musicians Bono, Beck, and Chappell Roan, as well as several record label executives. Before Geese begins a performance at Coachella next year, Winter will return to L.A. for two shows to promote his well-received 2024 solo album, “Heavy Metal.” — M.W.

Despite disbanding in 1994, 4 Non Blondes’ hit song “What’s Up?” continues to reappear in popular music. This year, Cardi B and Lizzo sampled the song in their track “What’s Goin On,” sparking a viral TikTok trend that mashed it up with Nicki Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap.” Earlier this year, Linda Perry, the band’s lead singer who later became a successful songwriter and producer for artists like Pink and Christina Aguilera, briefly reunited 4 Non Blondes for a few festival performances. Now, the band is scheduled to play at the Roxy, previewing a reunion album expected to be released in 2026. — M.W.

The Allman Betts Family Revival will perform at the Orpheum Theater on December 20th. This band, featuring members of iconic Southern rock families, honors its musical heritage with impressive guitar work and harmonies. Their recent double album, “Bless Your Heart,” feels like something the late Jimmy Carter would have loved. For this special holiday show, they’ve invited a fantastic lineup of guests including Robert Randolph, Jimmy Hall, Dweezil Zappa, Sierra Green, and the Dickinson brothers, among others. — A.B.

Singer Leon Thomas will perform at The Wiltern on December 22nd and 23rd. He’s currently nominated for six Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist, and is touring in support of his well-received 2024 album, “Mutt.” The album showcases his talent as a songwriter and producer – he’s previously worked with artists like Ariana Grande and SZA – and also hints at his background as a performer, having started his career as a child actor on Broadway and Nickelodeon. — M.W.

The Roots will perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall on December 31st. After rising from the Philadelphia hip-hop scene 30 years ago, Questlove and Black Thought have built a reputation as one of the most consistently great live bands around. They’re equally comfortable performing at festivals, intimate clubs, or even as the house band on “The Tonight Show,” where they still clearly enjoy themselves. With a large collection of songs and Questlove’s many famous friends, it’s hard to predict what they’ll play – or who might join them on stage – at their two Disney Hall shows, at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – M.W.

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2025-11-19 14:04