KATSEYE stuns at MTV VMAs debut with eye-catching coordinated ensemble
Girl group KATSEYE makes their MTV VMAs debut in stunning coordinated outfits following their first-ever nomination this year.
Entertain This!
- The Phoenix concert scene slows down in December as the music industry takes a holiday break.
- Local acts Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers and Sydney Sprague are celebrating new music releases.
- Major artists performing include Smokey Robinson, Katseye, and Colter Wall.
There aren’t a ton of huge tours playing Phoenix in December as the touring industry goes into hibernation mode so musicians can enjoy the holidays.
But there are still plenty of opportunities to see live music in the coming week, from Katseye’s bringing the Beautiful Chaos Tour to Arizona Financial Theatre to Smokey Robinson playing Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino.
Two of the Valley’s finest acts are celebrating new releases – Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers premiering a great new album they’re release in early 2026 at the Celebrity Theatre and Sydney Sprague releasing “Peak Experience” at Valley Bar.
Here’s a look at those and other highlights of the month in metro Phoenix concerts.
December 2025 concerts in Phoenix
KNIX Hometown Holiday: Bringing Tucker Wetmore, Ty Myers, Jackson Dean and more to the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Monday, Dec. 1. celebritytheatre.com.
Danny Brown: Bringing the Danny Brown Underscores Femtanyl Fall Tour to the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Tuesday, Dec. 2. luckymanonline.com.
Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band: A Tribute to Brian Wilson at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 2. mim.org.
Sammy Adams: Playing Valley Bar in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 2. valleybarphx.com.
Katseye: Bringing the Beautiful Chaos Tour to Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 3. ticketmaster.com.
Larry Fleet: Playing the Van Buren in Phoenix on Thursday, Dec. 4. thevanburenphx.com.
ALT AZ Ugly Sweater Holiday Party: Bringing Rome, Edgehill and more to the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Friday, Dec. 5. luckymanonline.com.
Sammy Kershaw: Playing We-Ko-Pa Casino Conference Center on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation on Friday, Dec. 5. wekopacasinoresort.com.
Dying Wish: Playing the Nile Theatre in Mesa on Friday, Dec. 5. theniletheater.com.
The Aces: Playing Walter Studios in Phoenix on Friday, Dec. 5. walterstudios.com.
Glare: Playing Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Friday, Dec. 5. crescentphx.com.
Rachel Eckroth Trio: Playing Ravenscroft in Scottsdale on Friday, Dec. 5. theravenscroft.com.
Phoenix Symphony: Presenting the Holiday Pops Spectacular at Symphony Hall in Phoenix on Friday-Sunday, Dec. 5-7. phoenixsymphony.org.
Punk Rock Christmas: Bringing MXPX, Face to Face, the Vandals and more to Rawhide Western Town & Event Center on the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler on Saturday, Dec. 6. rawhide.com.
Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers: Premiering new album at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 6. celebritytheatre.com.
Mammoth: Bringing the End Tour to the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Saturday, Dec. 6. luckymanonline.com.
Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes: Playing Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community, on Saturday, Dec. 6. playatgila.com.
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaii: Playing the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 6. mim.org.
Lavern: Playing Sunbar in Tempe on Saturday, Dec. 6. relentlessbeats.com.
Sydney Sprague: Bringing a “Peak Experience” album release party to Valley Bar in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 6. valleybarphx.com.
Clay Walker: Playing Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community, on Sunday, Dec. 7. playatgila.com.
Jim Dalton & Amigos Holiday Brunch: Playing Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Sunday, Dec. 7. crescentphx.com.
Osamason: Bringing the Psykotic Tour to the Van Buren in Phoenix on Monday, Dec. 8. thevanburenphx.com.
David Benoit: Bringing A Charlie Brown Christmas to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 8-9. mim.org.
Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything: Playing the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Tuesday, Dec. 9. luckymanonline.com.
Andy Bell of Erasure: Brining the Ten Crowns Tour to the Van Buren in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 9. luckymanonline.com.
KMLE Beers With Friends: Presenting Russell Dickerson at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community, on Tuesday, Dec. 9. playatgila.com.
La Santa Cecilia: Playing Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 9. crescentphx.com.
Los Retros: Playing Valley Bar in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 9. valleybarphx.com.
Colter Wall and Friends: Playing Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 10. ticketmaster.com.
Violent Vira: Playing the Van Buren in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 10. thevanburenphx.com.
The Haunt: Playing the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 10. therebellounge.com.
Randy Houser: Playing Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community, on Saturday, Dec. 13. playatgila.com.
Pete Yorn: Bringing the You & Me Solo Acoustic Tour to Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Thursday, Dec. 11. crescentphx.com.
A Kat Edmonson Christmas: Playing the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Thursday, Dec. 11. mim.org.
Topic: Playing Maya Day + Night Club in Scottsdale on Friday, Dec. 12. mayaclubaz.com.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Playing the Nile Theatre in Mesa on Friday, Dec. 12. theniletheater.com.
Eyes Set to Kill: Playing Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Friday, Dec. 12. crescentphx.com.
Ownboss: Playing Darkstar in Tempe on Friday, Dec. 12. relentlessbeats.com.
Brainstory: Playing Last Exit Live in Phoenix on Friday, Dec. 12. lastexitlive.com.
Arizona Math Rock Fest II: Bringing Strelitizia, Betting On The End and more to the Underground in Mesa on Friday, Dec. 12. theniletheater.com.
Blue October: Playing the Alt AZ 93.3 Ugly Sweater Holiday Party with James and the Cold Gun at the Van Buren in Phoenix on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13. thevanburenphx.com.
Phoenix Symphony: Presents Handel’s Messiah at Mesa Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 12. mesaartscenter.com.
101.1 The Bounce Holiday Jam: Bringing Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony, Too Short, E-40 and more to Mortgage Matchup Center, formerly PHX Arena, in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 13. phx-arena.com.
Turnpike Troubadours: Bringing the Wild America Tour with Wyatt Flores to Mesa Amphitheatre on Saturday, Dec. 13. mesaamp.com.
Chris Lake: Bringing the [Chemistry] Album Tour to Rawhide Western Town & Event Center on the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler on Saturday, Dec. 13. rawhide.com.
Riot: Playing Darkstar in Tempe on Saturday, Dec. 13. relentlessbeats.com.
Yookie: Playing Sunbar in Tempe on Saturday, Dec. 13. relentlessbeats.com.
Tower of Power: Bring the Holiday and Hits Tour to Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community, on Sunday, Dec. 14. playatgila.com.
Vincent Lima: Bringing the To Love a Thing That Fades Tour to Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Sunday, Dec. 14. crescentphx.com.
Nico Play: Playing Valley Bar in Phoenix on Monday, Dec. 15. valleybarphx.com.
Ezra Ray Hart: Presenting ’90s Hits & Xmas Riffs at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Tuesday, Dec. 16. luckymanonline.com.
Queensryche: Bringing the Volume and Vengeance Tour to the Van Buren in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 16. thevanburenphx.com.
Home For the Holidays: Ruben Studdard, Sheena Easton and Peabo Bryson playing the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 17. celebritytheatre.com.
Waterparks: Bringing the Prowler Tour to the Van Buren in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 17. thevanburenphx.com.
Dave Koz and Friends: Bringing the Christmas Tour 2025 to Mesa Arts Center on Wednesday, Dec. 17. mesaartscenter.com.
Loe Shimmy: Playing Walter Studios in Phoenix on Thursday, Dec. 18. walterstudios.com.
Smokey Robinson: Playing Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community, on Saturday, Dec. 20. playatgila.com.
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Bringing the Christmas Caravan Tour to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Dec. 20.
A Winter’s Eve with David Arkenstone and Friends: Playing the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 20. mim.org.
Leon Thomas: Bringing the Mutts Don’t Heel Tour to the Van Buren in Phoenix on Sunday, Dec. 21. thevanburenphx.com.
Leann Rimes: Playing Talking Stick Resort on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on Sunday, Dec. 21. ticketmaster.com.
A Peter White Christmas: Playing the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 21-23. mim.org.
How Pop Punk Saved Christmas: Hosted by Anthony Cortez with Sundressed and more at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Tuesday, Dec. 23. crescentphx.com.
Mitis: Playing Sunbar in Tempe on Saturday, Dec. 27. relentlessbeats.com.
Jim Brickman: Bringing the Gift of Christmas 2025 to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 29-31. mim.org.
Decadence Arizona 2025: Bringing Adventure Club, Griz and more to Phoenix Raceway in Avondale on Tuesday and Wedneday, Deb. 30-31. relentlessbeats.com.
Tech N9ne: Playing the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Wednesday, Dec. 31. luckymanonline.com.
New Years Eve 2026 with Playboy Manbaby and Friends: Bringing the Color 8, Mega Ran and more to Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 31. crescentphx.com.
Phoenix Symphony: Presenting a New Year’s Eve Celebration with a Champagne Toast at Symphony Hall in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 31. phoenixsymphony.org.
Blues New Year’s Eve: With Jimi Primetime Smith and the Bob Corritore Blues Band at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 31. rhythmroom.com.
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.