Santa Fe Desert Chorale to Present Winter Festival Holiday Program

The Santa Fe Desert Chorale (the Desert Chorale) has announced programming for its 2026 Winter Festival (December 12-22), led by Artistic Director Joshua Habermann. One of the longest-running professional music organizations in New Mexico, the Desert Chorale welcomes back its vocal artists to Santa Fe and Albuquerque for its annual holiday program, Carols & Lullabies: A Winter's Glow, celebrating the hope and magic of the holidays.

'The holiday season is a meaningful time of connection, and our Winter Festival program is a beautiful opportunity to gather with loved ones, celebrate the joy and wonder of the season, and ring in the new year,' says Habermann. 'We take our role in sharing a holiday tradition seriously. Our artists are extraordinary, and this year's program is an exquisite mix of seasonal favorites, carols, and music people associate with this time of year, along with some delightful discoveries.'

Twenty-four professional artists, who are some of the nation's top ensemble singers, join guest pianist Nathan Salazar in a luminous program of beloved carols, transcendent sacred works, and festive tunes. Composers featured on the program include Eric Whitacre, Caroline Shaw, and Gioachino Rossini, among others.

In addition to their main concert series, the Desert Chorale invites community members to share the wonder of exceptional choral music with the children in their lives. On Wednesday, December 16th, the Desert Chorale joins the Young Voices of Santa Fe Opera for a joyful pop-up caroling event at the Santa Fe Public Library, Southside Branch. On Saturday, December 19, Habermann and the complete Desert Chorale present the free Insights & Sounds Winter Children's Concert, a 45-minute program of music that is geared to children. There will be light refreshments and flexible seating to ensure comfort for all ages. More pop-up carols are scheduled for Tuesday, December 22nd at the DeVargas Mall.

Through the Desert Chorale's ongoing partnership with Acosta Strong Fine Art, the festival marketing materials will feature the artwork, 'Happy Snowflakes and Full Moon' by Impressionist artist Evelyne Boren, who maintains a permanent studio in Santa Fe. Through the partnership, Boren will paint a new work that will be featured on the cover of the Desert Chorale's Winter Festival program book.

Santa Fe Desert Chorale Winter Festival

Carols & Lullabies: A Winter's Glow

Albuquerque's First Presbyterian Church
Sunday, December 13, 4pm

Santa Fe's Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Saturday, December 12, 7:30pm
Tuesday, December 15, 7pm
Thursday, December 17, 7pm
Friday, December 18, 7pm
Saturday, December 19, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 20, 4pm and 7:30pm
Tuesday, December 22, 7pm

Program (Subject to Change):
Hyo Won Woo: 'Cum Sancto Spiritu' from Gloria
Caroline Shaw: 'And the Swallow'
Eric Whitacre: 'Glow'
Eric Whitacre: 'Little Tree'
'O Mi Belén' from Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest, arr. Conrad Susa
'The First Noel,' arr. Stewart C. Duncan
'In the Bleak Midwinter,' arr. Abbie Betinis
'I Saw Three Ships,' arr. Wolfram Buchenberg
Kevin Memley: 'O Magnum Mysterium'
'Auld Lang Syne,' arr. Ryan Brandau
'Noi de la Mare,' arr. Susa/Ribo/Habermann
Gioachino Rossini: 'Toast pour le Nouvel An'
'Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head,' arr. Patrick Dupré Quigley
Corlynn Hanney: 'Christmas Angel'
'Oh What a Pretty Little Baby/Glory Hallelujah to the Newborn King,' arr. Joseph H. Jennings
Elizabeth Poston: 'Jesus Christ the Apple Tree'
'Silent Night,' arr. Shawn Kirchner

Santa Fe Desert Chorale Winter Festival in the Community

Pop-up Carols with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale

Santa Fe Public Library, Southside Branch
6599 Jaguar Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Featuring the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera
Wednesday, December 16th, 5:30pm
Free

DeVargas Mall
564 N Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2pm
Free

Insights and Sounds Winter Children's Concert

The Genoveva Chavez Community Center Community Room
3221 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Saturday, December 19, 11:30am
Free; reservations are encouraged.

Carols & Lullabies: A Winter's Glow Concert Ticket Information

Tickets to the 2026 Winter Festival are available for purchase now at desertchorale.org/tickets or by calling the Box Office at (505) 988-2282, Ext. 1. Tickets for regular season performances range from $24-$139. The Desert Chorale offers a 50% discount for all students with IDs.

2026 Winter Festival Desert Chorale Vocalists

Soprano
Chelsea Helm
Kori Miller
Jennifer Perez
Kathlene Ritch
Allison Smith
Emily Yocum Black

Alto
Kerry Ginger
Jennifer Hernandez McLean
Heather Jones
Kristin E. Lawler
Sarah Nickerson
Erin Roth Thomas

Tenor
George Case
Aaron Cates
Elliott JG Encarnación
Cameron Falby
Erik Gustafson
Bradley Naylor

Bass
Simon Barrad
Steven Berlanga
Matthew D. Nielsen
John E. Orduña
Ian R. Prichard
Marques Jerrell Ruff

Guest Artist: Nathan Salazar, piano

About The Santa Fe Desert Chorale

The Santa Fe Desert Chorale, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a centerpiece of cultural life in Santa Fe. It performs in historic venues, such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and its annual Summer Festival is one of the nation's largest choral events.