Independent Arts News Reporting A Season of Sound & Story: Zoellner Arts Center Celebrates the Holidays with Choirs, Ballet, and Celtic Cheer
Reported on Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Pictured Above: Zoellner Facebook Image. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: LEHIGH VALLEY, PENNSYLANIA
Zoellner’s Arts December lineup offers something for every arts lover
Lehigh Valley, PA — As winter settles across the Lehigh Valley, Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University comes alive with the colors, sounds, and stories that define the holiday season. From a world-renowned boys choir to a beloved ballet classic and the foot-tapping joy of Celtic reels, Zoellner’s December lineup offers something for every arts lover — families, students, longtime patrons, and those discovering the center for the first time.
Holiday Magic in Motion: The Nutcracker (December 13–14)
The festivities open as the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet brings The Nutcracker back to Baker Hall on December 13 and 14. Featuring nearly 100 dancers and a full live orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this beloved production transforms the stage into Clara’s shimmering dreamworld — from swirling snowflakes to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s kingdom. Young dancers share the spotlight with distinguished guest artists, making the experience both a regional tradition and a celebration of rising talent.
A Global Tradition Takes Center Stage: Vienna Boys Choir (December 19)
On Friday, December 19, Zoellner welcomes one of the world’s most storied ensembles: the Vienna Boys Choir. With a legacy spanning more than six centuries, the choir’s boy sopranos and altos bring their unmistakable purity of sound to a festive evening of classical works, Austrian folk melodies, sacred hymns, and holiday favorites. The performance offers audiences a rare chance to experience the artistry that has shaped generations of musicians.
Celtic Cheer to Close the Season: Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas (December 20)
The celebration crescendos on Saturday, December 20, when award-winning fiddler Seán Heely leads a spirited ensemble of Celtic musicians and dancers in Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas. From ancient Gaelic carols to lively reels, bagpipes, and step dancing, the performance captures the warmth and communal joy of winter traditions across Scotland and Ireland. The evening kicks off early with a free pre-show performance at 6:30pm by Bethlehem’s Liberty High School Bagpipe Corps in the Butz Lobby — a lively welcome into the night’s festivities.
A Month of Meaning, Memory & Community
Together, these performances offer more than entertainment — they create shared moments of reflection, wonder, and celebration at a time of year when the arts feel especially meaningful. Whether you’re drawn to ballet enchantment, old-world European tradition, or the pulse of Celtic rhythms, Zoellner Arts Center’s holiday lineup invites the community to gather, listen, and be inspired.
For tickets and details, visit zoellnerartscenter.org. Most events are free for Lehigh University students.
