\u200bEach season, the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach unites the community through concerts that capture the joy of the holidays. This year’s fun begins on Friday, Dec. 5 with a special low-cost Arts for Life Community Connections concert featuring Jarabe Mexicano.\u00a0A Borde\u00f1o Soul Christmas\u00a0is perfect for the entire family and includes high-spirited folk, rock \u2018n’ roll, Tex-Mex and more in a cross-cultural celebration full of rhythm and heart. Audiences will enjoy bilingual songs and stories from both sides of the border, including a Spanish rendition of Schubert’s \u201cAve Maria\u201d in honor of Mexico’s Our Lady of Guadalupe.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Dec. 6, jazz pianist David Benoit<\/a> makes his ninth appearance on the Center’s stage, performing cherished Vince Guaraldi tunes from the beloved\u00a0Peanuts\u00a0special\u00a0A Charlie Brown Christmas,\u00a0along with Benoit’s own holiday favorites. A Carpenter Center holiday tradition, this evening also includes appearances by singer Courtney Fortune and The All-American Boys Chorus, completing this heartwarming holiday concert for all ages.<\/p>\n The magic of the season can also be found on the Carpenter Center’s intimate Cabaret stage as David Burnham<\/a> performs\u00a0A Broadway Holiday\u00a0on Wednesday, Dec. 17 and Thursday, Dec. 18. The Broadway star (Wicked, The Light in the Piazza)\u00a0spreads holiday cheer in this trip down memory lane, performing festive favorites from Broadway, film, and television\u2014including classics like \u201cHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\u201d and \u201cO Holy Night.\u201d Patrons have the option of including a dinner add-on ticket with their order to enjoy a meal on stage before these Cabaret performances.<\/p>\n Event Details<\/p>\n Jarabe Mexicano – A Borde\u00f1o Soul Christmas<\/p>\n When: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at 8 p.m. \/ Doors open at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Venue: The Richard and Karen Carpenter<\/a> Performing Arts Center at 6200 E. Atherton St. Long Beach, CA 90815<\/p>\n David Benoit<\/a> \u2013\u00a0A Tribute to Charlie Brown Christmas<\/p>\n When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at 8 p.m. \/ Doors open at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Venue: The Richard and Karen Carpenter<\/a> Performing Arts Center at 6200 E. Atherton St. Long Beach, CA 90815<\/p>\n When: Wednesday\/Thursday, Dec. 17-18, 2025 at 7 p.m. \/ Doors open at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n