So here it is, Merry (12 gigs of) Christmas in Cork!
A gig to get to: St Luke's Male Voice Choir play Live at St Luke's.
Meeting friends and family is the name of the game at this time of year, but why not do it while also enjoying some great live music, Here we have put together a list of 12(-ish) gigs you can go to over the next fortnight or so. To make sure it is as accessible a list as possible, one half of the list are ticketed gigs and the other half of them are free; three of them can be attended by all ages; and occur in an array of venues in Cork city.
On Friday, December 19, Tanner Sheridan will be taking over upstairs at Fred Zeppelins.
Originally from Midleton, he is now established in Seville, where he recorded his debut EP last year. He has been touring internationally since then, and has been likened to acts such as Counting Crowes and Frank Turner. His opening act will be Dino. (9pm, tickets €10 on the door).
The Frank and Walters: Another Christmas cracker on the way at City Hall!
Elsewhere in the city that night Kean Kavanagh will be playing the Crane Lane. He has been building up quite a reputation this year, building on the success of singles such as The Whistle, and fuses modern Americana with a proud Irish twist. His live gigs have received great praise from many quarter, for the intensity and intimacy he creates while performing his songs. (8.30pm, €24.75 via www.ticketmaster.ie)
At the same time in Coughlans Bar on Douglas Street, The Four Faced Liars – the youngest band I’ve ever written about – will be playing their exciting take on classic and modern music. The four-piece band played their debut live gig a few weeks ago in Mercier Press Bookshop, and they deftly played songs by bands such as Pixies and Gorillaz, showing an ability and attitude well beyond their years. (5pm, free/pass the hat).
Further up the road in Henchys at St Lukes Cross, The Glass Onions – who normally play a delightful weekly session as a trio every Sunday with two guitars, bass and multiple vocals – will be putting together a bigger band for Christmas with the addition of steel slide guitar and drums. They promise it will be an extra special and festival set to warm the heart and get some toes tapping. (5pm, free).
My tip for Tuesday, December 23, remains in St Lukes, when the St Luke's Male Voice Choir and the JingleBelles will be hosting their annual concert Live At St Luke's. As ever the proceeds of the entire event go to Marymount Hospice.
Both choirs perform a great range of Christmas classics, and are full of the festive joy everyone knows and loves at this time of year. (5.15pm, donations).
The annual Christmas Eve gig in Charlies Bar has become such a tradition that it has become immortalised in song, so if you want to experience ‘Charlies (On A Cold Cork Christmas Eve), then Hank and Ray will be playing their normal Monday session for a change on Wednesday, December 24 (7pm, free).
After resting on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, you should be ready to go out on Saturday, December 27, and experience more live music and I suggest you go to the Kerryman at Dillons Cross, where they have put together a mini music festival with the ballad song jukebox that is Roy Buckley at 7pm, and he is followed by ‘Not Just Christy’, a music session group that can take over any room and get the craic going. (7pm & 9.30pm, free).
Roy Buckley us at the Kerryman on December 27.
On Monday, December 29, the highly rated James Keegan will headline Live At St Luke's with support from Fionnán Barrett and Shimmerboy.
Hailing from just up the road in Mayfield, James toured the US for most of this year – 98 gigs and 40 states – building up a reputation for personal songwriting which translates into a powerful live show. 2026 is looking like James could really take another step up in the industry. (8pm, €22 via eventbrite).
And since we should always start the new year with our best foot forward, I’ll suggest a bonus gig, Two Time Polka on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in The Crane Lane. Pound for pound they are one of the most riveting live bands in Ireland. While deeply influenced by Cajun and Bluegrass music, they have all the energy of a well oiled rock and roll band. (9pm, free)
*These times are subject to change so please look at each venue or band’s social media in advance.
