Music, Magic & Merriment

Join the Jackson Hole Community Band and MusicLands Youth Orchestra for an evening of holiday lights, downtown shopping, and seasonal cheer.

Winter in Jackson Hole never tiptoes in. It barrels through the valley with that mix of sparkle and sting we know all too well — which makes it the perfect backdrop for our annual Holiday Concert. And this year, on Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 PM, we’re leaning all the way into the season.

2024 Holiday Concert — December 21, 2024 — Community Band and Music Land Youth Orchestra unite on stage, filling the Center for the Arts with festive holiday cheer.

What really makes this concert shine is something we’ve now done four years in a row: sharing the stage with the Music Land’s JH Youth Orchestra. At this point it’s not just a collaboration — it’s become a tradition we look forward to as much as the first snow. The partnership works because the fit is just right. Their young musicians bring this bright, fearless energy, and the Community Band meets them with that steady, seasoned backbone. Put the two together and you get something bigger than either group could pull off on its own.

Under the batons of Principal Director Caitlyn Falco, Assistant Director Cheryl DeLong, and Orchestral Director Vince Gutwein, the whole night settles into that sweet spot where the familiar meets the unexpected. Think the kind of concert where you walk in humming one tune and leave thinking about something entirely different. There’s plenty of sparkle, a little drama, and moments that feel like standing outside on a quiet winter night when everything is still except the snowflakes.

Make a full night of it — wander through downtown’s holiday lights, finish up a bit of shopping, then come warm up with a program long enough to feel like a true holiday outing, yet easy enough to pair with dinner plans afterward. Once the last note fades, head back into town for dinner, hot drinks, and whatever version of holiday cheer you’re chasing this year. It’s a simple recipe: lights, music, good food, and the kind of community evening that makes winter in Jackson feel downright magical.

Bring a little extra holiday spirit — your donation of a nonperishable food item helps local families in need. Admission is free, so mark your calendar for Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 PM at the Center for the Arts Theater. Come for the music, stay for the magic, and leave with a heart a little fuller.

Jackson Hole Community Band

The Jackson Hole Community Band is a volunteer wind ensemble founded in 1989, performing throughout the year at concerts, parades, and community events. Our ranks include musicians of all ages and backgrounds, many of whom returned to their instruments after long breaks. This post is a collaboration among band members who bring their unique voices, stories, and perspectives to celebrate our shared love of music and community.