It’s that time of year again, and no matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays, there are plenty of live concerts and music to help you get in the spirit of the season.

This weekend, Música Franklin will host its second annual Holiday Cheer Benefit Concert on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 25 Church St. in Greenfield. This show will present an assortment of music to celebrate the season and feature local artists Orice Jenkins, Khaloymes and the students of Música Franklin.

Música Franklin is a free after-school music program serving Franklin County youth. Students learn to sing, drum, play the violin, viola or cello, and engage in weekly discussions on social justice.

“Música Franklin was founded in 2015 as a response to the opioid epidemic, so this is our eighth year in Franklin County,” Annierose Klingbeil, the organization’s development and communications manager, wrote in an email. The program is modeled on El Sistema, a successful music and social change program that was started in Venezuela 40 years ago.

The belief behind the program is that the pursuit of musical excellence teaches students to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives. According to Klingbeil, performing is a big part of the program.

“It has been shown that performing in front of peers and community members helps students increase their confidence and be seen in a positive light by members of their communities,” she said. “Having frequent performances also allows them to have tangible musical goals to work toward. ”

The students perform throughout Franklin County, including through free monthly community concerts. They will perform traditional and seasonal carols at this Holiday Cheer concert and play a holiday show at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield on Friday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m.

Jenkins is the executive director of Música Franklin and an accomplished artist in his own right. He has performed and recorded in classical, jazz, soul and hip-hop music. In 2019, Jenkins released his fourth recording, “Centennial,” in which he recorded the music of Nat King Cole in honor of what would have been Cole’s 100th birthday. He will perform some Nat King Cole songs at this show.

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Rounding out the lineup is Khaloymes (“dreams” in Yiddish), which is the duo of fiddler Rachel Leader and accordionist/vocalist Ariel Shapiro. The two blend lively and soulful arrangements of traditional klezmer melodies and Yiddish folk songs. Leader and Shapiro have extensive experience performing this music and have frequently performed throughout the Pioneer Valley.

There will also be a silent auction at the concert that will include handpainted musical instruments by Música Franklin staff and program parents. The first Angel of Music award will be presented posthumously to Ann Hamilton in memory of her work with Música Franklin.

Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $25 at givebutter.com/MusicaFranklin and will be sold at the door. Proceeds will go directly toward the Música Franklin program.

It will be a night of Hanukkah fun, complete with festive lights and live music, when Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield hosts a Hanukkah party on Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. In addition to celebrating the holiday, this event will also serve as a fundraiser for the National Kidney Foundation. Organizers assembled a lineup of local Jewish artists for this occasion — the Eleanor Levine Band, Sasha KA Trio and Niagara Moon.

Eleanor Levine is a singer-songwriter inspired by ’60s and ’70s songwriters like Paul Simon, Nick Drake and Laura Nyro. She describes her music as “centered around alternative tunings, rhythmic plucking patterns, coded lyrics and bright vocal melodies.” For this show, she will be playing with a full band and will play her original material along with some Hanukkah songs.

The Sasha KA Trio is the project of multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Sasha Klare-Ayvazian. He is a native of Northampton, who spent years living and working in Austin, Texas, before moving back to the area in 2022. Sasha K.A. has an impressive resume that includes soundtrack work and recordings as a solo artist and member of the American Dreamer band. His music falls under the banner of indie-folk, but he can rock out with his trio, which includes Nate Mondschein and Nate Watson. Sasha K.A. has played all over the Pioneer Valley, including gigs like the Green River Festival, but this will be his first at Hawks & Reed.

Niagara Moon is the alter ego of Thomas Irwin, who creates memorable dreamy baroque pop music. He often performs with his singing partner, Huimin Wan. Irwin formed the Niagara Moon project while living in Kyoto, Japan, for three years. He has released four albums and an EP, with a new album coming out early in 2024. I should mention that he has a podcast called “Losing My Opinion” that is worth checking out at niagaramoonmusic.com.

No matter what your faith is, this party is open to all.

There is a suggested $10 to $20 donation with proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation. Jeremy Goldsher, son of Hawks & Reed owner Steven Goldsher and the co-owner of Greenspace CoWork, was recently diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. He is currently seeking the donation of a kidney. You can read about his story in the Nov. 29 edition of the Recorder.

Kimaya Diggs is coming off a strong year. In March, she released her sophomore album, “Quincy,” to positive reviews. She followed it up with a series of equally well-received shows, including a local sold-out release show, an appearance at the Green River Festival and opening for Trombone Shorty at Tree House Brewing Co. in South Deerfield.

Now she’s back for her third annual holiday show that will take place at The Drake, 44 North Pleasant St. in Amherst on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. Accompanying her will be the swinging jazz trio of Paul Arslanian on piano, Jake Edwards on drums and Reed Sutherland on bass. There will also be an assortment of special guests from the valley music scene, including Wallace Field, Naomi Nye, King Manzi, members of LuxDeluxe, Elliott Frieden, Ciarra Fragale and more.

In keeping with the season, Diggs released an original new holiday song called “Alone at Christmas” last weekend.

“The holidays can be stressful — so much to buy, so many things to do and so many people to see,” she said of the song. “Sometimes the idea of just staying home for a year sounds really appealing. ‘Alone at Christmas’ is a playful exploration of what it means to choose to be alone during the holiday season.”

The show, which is a fully seated, family-friendly affair, will feature sing-alongs, raffles and fun decorations. And get out your finest fashions because concertgoers are encouraged to dress up.

“It’s one of my favorite shows of the year as I get to return to my jazz roots and ring in the season surrounded by some of the valley’s best musicians,” said Diggs.

Tickets are $20 in advance and are available at thedrakeamherst.org, or $25 day of show. Advance tickets are recommended as this show has sold out for the past two years.

I know we’ve focused on holiday-themed shows here, but there will be a celebration of a different kind at 10 Forward, 10 Fiske Ave. in Greenfield on Friday, Dec. 8, when they host Swiftie night. You’d think everyone would have had their fill of Tay Tay for one year, but Swifties can’t get enough. So if you count yourself in that group, this is where you’ll want to be. The night will start at 9 p.m with Taylor Swift Karaoke, followed by a Taylor Swift dance party. Participants are encouraged to bring their glitter and dress like their favorite Taylor era.

This show is for ages 18 and up. Admission is $13 to $22, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Masks are appreciated. Elevator access is available through the Mesa Verde foyer.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at soundslocal@yahoo.com.