Vilar Unveils Three Holiday Shows Including John Oates

Aspen —The air in the Vilar Performing Arts Center lobby always carries a specific weight during December, a mix of pine needles and warm radiator heat that settles into your coat before you even find a seat. It’s a sensory anchor for the valley, a place where the cold outside feels distant and the light from the lower lobby tree — glowing with more than 9,000 bulbs and draped in handcrafted beavers, skunks, foxes, and squirrels — turns the space into something intimate. That tradition has been a fixture since 1998, and this year, the Vail Valley Foundation is layering new sound over that familiar visual comfort.

According to a Vail Daily report, the center has unveiled three distinct offerings for its 2026 holiday season, each targeting a different corner of the local calendar. Cameron Morgan, executive director of the Vilar Performing Arts Center, framed the lineup as a way to give neighbors and visitors varied ways to gather. “Sharing the holidays in the mountains is special, and we love giving audiences different ways to celebrate together at the Vilar,” Morgan said. The goal, he noted, is to move from quiet reflection to theatrical immersion and finally into high-energy rock, ensuring the venue serves the full spectrum of holiday mood.

The season opens on Sunday, Dec. 20, with Frisson’s “Christmas by Candlelight.” The eleven-piece ensemble will perform an evening of seasonal classics, weaving together selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” and Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” with contemporary instrumental pieces. It’s a program designed for listening, not just hearing; the performance closes with an audience sing-along of beloved carols, a moment where the separation between performer and spectator dissolves into shared breath.

Three days later, on Wednesday, Dec. 23, the center shifts gears entirely with a theatrical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Running at 3:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m., this two-hour production follows Ebenezer Scrooge through his transformative Christmas Eve journey. A nationally selected cast in period costumes performs against projected atmospheric London backdrops, using choral arrangements of traditional carols to underscore the story. The production leans heavily on striking light and sound effects, along with larger-than-life puppetry to bring the spirits of Jacob Marley and Christmas Past, Present, and Future to life. It is a family-friendly spectacle that relies on the physicality of the stage rather than just the text.

The holiday run concludes with a blast of volume on Monday, Dec. 28, as John Oates & The Good Road Band take the stage at 7 p.m. This show celebrates Oates’ quarter-century solo career following the release of his self-titled album “OATES.” The setlist draws from his eight solo albums, incorporating classic R&B and rock hits alongside selections from his legendary Hall & Oates era. Kevin Danzig and the Gandy Dancer Trio will open the show, setting a high-energy tone for what promises to be the loudest night of the season.

For those planning ahead, tickets for these four performances are on sale now. The Vail Daily noted that Frisson’s “Christmas by Candlelight” and both performances of “A Christmas Carol” are eligible for the Vilar’s student rate and a ticket 4-pack bundle, offering savings when purchasing tickets in groups of four. It’s a practical detail for families or friend groups looking to manage costs while keeping the holiday spirit alive.

The Vilar’s lower lobby will once again display its signature holiday tree throughout the season, a reminder that no matter how loud or quiet the stage gets, the heart of the room remains steady. The tree stands in the dim light, its thousands of bulbs flickering gently against the dark wood paneling, a quiet pulse in the middle of the valley’s winter.