So here it is, Merry (12 gigs of) Christmas!

As so many people want to make the most of their socialising over the Christmas period, here we have a list of 12 gigs worth catching in 12 different Cork venues that support the live music scene all year round. Omitted are ones that are already sold out, but here’s a nice broad range of options. If you can’t make these particular events, check out their social media for upcoming events over Christmas and into 2024.

For those who want to start straight away, tonight (Thursday, December 21) The Tan Jackets will be playing in Crane Lane at 11.50pm. They play a great rock band live show, mixing some originals with pulsating performances of traditional blues, punk, garage, and rock ’n’ roll songs.

Continuing the rock style, Crow Black Chicken will be playing Fred Zeppelins on Saturday, December 23, at 9pm. The Clonmel-based three-piece play music influenced by blues rock, and their four studio albums have all received wide acclaim.

On the same night up in Coughlan’s, one of Cork’s best cover bands, Woah! Mama!, will be playing from 9.30pm. They combine all sorts of dancefloor-friendly songs and put having fun as the focus of the night; a broad range of bands they play include Moloko to ABBA to Talking Heads.

The traditional ‘last gig in the city’ on Christmas Eve is in Charlies with Hank & Ray starting around 7 pm. They play Americana, bluegrass, and rock music, with many friends joining in for songs throughout the night. You never who know might appear... Santa will be busy, but plenty other bearded men will be there!

Early on Wednesday, December 27, at 7pm, there will be a diamond of a gig in Maureens with a stripped-back performance by Finn and Cathal of The Guilteens, a ‘dark pop’ band who lean into blues, jazz, and psychedelic territories while delivering really strong original songs.

On Friday, December 29, we are spoilt for choice, as the Irish Live music institution that is Kila will be playing Cyprus Avenue at 7pm. Their storied and multi-faceted career has had over 20 records; film soundtracks and countless exhilarating concerts all over the world. While they play Irish traditional music, they have transcended it and brought in many other instruments and styles.

Over in Coughlan’s at 9.30pm will see the annual homecoming gig of Elly O’Keefe. Now based in London, she became high-profile with her success in season nine of The Voice, but she has been playing music for many years beforehand so a chance to see her in a small venue in Cork is a rare treat.

Out in Ballincollig at The White Horse, Jack O’Rourke is playing an end-of-year show, and what a year it has been for Jack. His latest album Wild Place was released and has been considered by several critics as an Album of the Year. He has sung in virtually every venue in the country and recently he got to meet Christy Moore, who came to see one of his shows.

On Saturday, December 30, in Crane Lane at 9pm, The Service, one of the most beloved ska cover bands in Ireland, will be playing a set that will be sure to get people moving and work off plenty of the Christmas excess. Expect some classics and deep cuts by Toots & The Maytals, The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat, Bad Manners, Bob Marley, Madness, and more. Another great live music option at 9pm over in The Pavilion is The Light Runners, who play a range of reggae music. Featuring musicians from Ireland and Africa, they are well known for their tight harmonies and instrumentals. They provide a unique and exciting reggae experience with an African flair. Their song selections include music from Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, and Steel Pulse, but also less obvious selections including their own unique take on a Jimmy MacCarthy song!

Following after The Light Runners in The Pavilion is another party from Not How, When!. This bunch of DJs describe their nights as music journeys, and they truly are great nights of music. There is so much variation in the record boxes that DJs Sonny Emerald, Flukey, and Jean-Luc Razza bring with them to each DJ Set. You can expect boogie, house, jazz-funk, disco, Balearic, and tropical, but the best part is listening and dancing to how they join all the different connections into one night out.

Much further out of the city, but well worth the trip, is another homecoming Cork musician. Niall Connolly, who resides in New York, is playing three shows while back for Christmas. While Maureens on December 26 and Coughlan’s on December 28 are sold out, there are currently tickets still available for the Saturday, December 30, at Levis, Ballydehob. His latest album, The Patience of Trees, was released in July and his songwriting has achieved another level. One critic has likened it to Bob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks, and there are very few albums to that standard for any singer/songwriter. His live gigs are always joyful and human affairs.

Back in the city on Saturday, December 30, in The Woodford is their ‘Jazz Cartel’ night, One of the few venues in Cork that seem to remember live jazz music can happen all year round and not just one weekend in October, they pull together some of the most vibrant and upbeat music you will hear this Christmas.

Then my final tip… is one for 2024, The Kates play De Barras on Saturday, January 6, 2024. They really are one of the best bands on

the circuit right now. A five-piece band made up of musicians from West Cork, they play a setlist of songs written or performed by women, everything from Lizzo to The Pretenders to Blondie to Brandi Carlisle. This particular concert is a fundraiser towards the costs of recording their debut record.

Finally, for those who would like to listen to some Irish traditional music while in Cork, The Gables on Douglas Street have musicians playing on Wednesdays and Sundays (except Christmas Eve) from 9.30pm.

An Sibín on Princes Street have sessions from 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights and has a special New Year’s Eve event starting at 8pm.

The Imperial Hotel on South Mall has a lovely afternoon session on Sundays from 4pm to 7pm, led by Eileen Healy, Emily Donoghue, and Paudy Harrington.

The Sin É on Coburg Street has two sessions, seven days a week with the first one starting around 6pm every day. It’s a great starting point, but also very hard to leave!

The Cornerhouse next door also has regular sessions, but over Christmas spontaneous ones also start with so many musicians home meeting up. The best thing to do with them is look in the door and have a listen. But there is a regular session there on Friday, December 29, and Saturday, December 30.

Another stalwart of the traditional music trail in Cork is An Spailpín Fánach on South Main Street, which has a live session starting around 9pm on Wednesday to Sunday. Things might start a little earlier though, so if you want to get yourself a good spot, don’t dawdle!

Check each venue’s social media in advance, as all events are subject to change.