The holiday season at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall brings with it a blend of music, storytelling, and shared community joy. This December, the Carnegie Carnegie invites audiences to slow down, gather together, and enjoy three festive performances that capture the warmth, creativity, and joy of the holiday season.
Located on Beechwood Avenue in Carnegie, the Library and Music Hall has served the region for more than a century as a hub for arts, culture, and community events. With its excellent acoustics and turn of the century character, the Music Hall offers an elegant setting for high-quality live performances. Meanwhile, the downstairs Studio provides an intimate, contemporary venue perfect for close up concerts and family friendly experiences. Together, these two spaces allow the Carnegie Carnegie to present a holiday lineup that feels both expansive and personal, offering events that uplift, entertain, and bring people together in meaningful ways.
A Unique Film and Live Music Experience: Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas with the Sweaty Already String Band • Saturday, December 13 at 3:00 PM • Studio • Pay What You Want
This December, the Studio hosts a special seasonal treat: a screening of Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas accompanied by live bluegrass from the Sweaty Already String Band. Jim Henson’s beloved tale of Emmet, Ma Otter, and the residents of Frogtown Hollow have charmed families since 1977 and the addition of live music brings a fresh and engaging dimension to the story.
The Sweaty Already String Band’s lively harmonies and acoustic textures blend beautifully with the film’s homespun spirit, creating a multisensory experience that feels both nostalgic and new. Both kids and adults will enjoy the interplay between the on screen story and the spirited bluegrass performance happening in real time. It is an easygoing and joyful afternoon for all ages and an ideal way to enjoy a cozy December afternoon in the Studio’s intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
Holiday Jazz with Heidi Beatty • Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 PM • Studio Jazz Series
For an evening filled with elegance and seasonal charm, vocalist Heidi Beatty returns to the Studio Jazz Series with a program of soulful holiday favorites. Beatty’s expressive voice paired with classic jazz arrangements creates a warm and inviting concert experience that perfectly suits the intimacy of the Studio.
The performance will feature timeless tunes, beloved standards, and heartfelt interpretations that highlight the emotional richness of the season. The Studio Jazz Series is known for its close connection between audience and performer, and Beatty’s presence, always polished and
generous, makes for a memorable December night. Guests who are twenty-one and older may enjoy beer and wine by donation, adding to the relaxed and festive atmosphere.
Whether you have followed jazz for years or are looking for a festive and low stress evening during a busy month, this concert provides a beautifully curated soundtrack for the holidays.
Ellington and Strayhorn’s Jazz Nutcracker Suite • Monday, December 22 at 7:00 PM • Music Hall • Pay What You Want
The holiday lineup culminates with a dynamic big band celebration as the Adam Lee-Morgan Jazz Orchestra performs Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s iconic Nutcracker Suite. This imaginative reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky’s beloved score transforms the traditional ballet music into a vibrant jazz work filled with swing, rich harmonies, and irresistible rhythmic style.
With seventeen exceptional musicians filling the Music Hall stage, audiences will experience the full impact of a big band in one of the region’s most acoustically stunning venues. Ellington and Strayhorn’s creative retelling brings new colors and textures to familiar scenes, from the playful Sugar Rum Cherry to the lively Dance of the Floreadores. It is festive, sophisticated, and joyful, a performance that feels both celebratory and artistically exciting.
The Choose your price! model ensures that everyone in the community has the opportunity to enjoy this remarkable seasonal concert. For many listeners, hearing The Nutcracker Suite performed live by a big band is a rare treat, and the Music Hall’s highly regarded acoustics and historic character heighten the experience.
A Season of Connection and Celebration
With offerings that range from family friendly storytelling to intimate holiday jazz and grand big band brilliance, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall’s holiday season captures the spirit of community connection. These events invite audiences to share in the joy of the arts, spend time with loved ones, and experience the connection and inspiration that live performance brings to the winter months.
Whether you are revisiting a beloved story, discovering a new musical favorite, or simply looking for a festive outing close to home, the Carnegie Carnegie welcomes you to celebrate the season in a space where creativity and community flourish.
For tickets and additional information, please visit https://carnegiecarnegie.org/upcoming-events/
Heidi Matthews is the Music Hall Director at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.
Originally published on December 3, 2025 by TribLive.