It’s Christmas in July and the first major Christmas tour announcement of the season has arrived, and suddenly we’re craving hot cocoa.

There’s something wonderfully disorienting about scrolling through Christmas tour dates while your weather app still says 97°.

We’re halfway through July. Kids are still squeezing in summer vacations. Pumpkin Spice hasn’t returned. Mariah Carey is (presumably) still asleep.

And yet…Christmas officially arrived in Christian music and we are here for it.

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans have become the first major Christian artists to throw open the holiday season, announcing the return of their Christmas Together arena tour.

After a successful inaugural run, Christmas Together returns and once again pairing three of Christian music’s most beloved voices.

The tour launches Thanksgiving weekend before winding through arenas across the country during the first half of December.

Full Tour Dates:

Nov. 27 — Columbus, OH
Nov. 28 — Hershey, PA
Nov. 29 — Charlotte, NC
Nov. 30 — Raleigh, NC
Dec. 2 — Fort Wayne, IN
Dec. 3 — Grand Rapids, MI
Dec. 4 — Saint Paul, MN
Dec. 5 — Lincoln, NE
Dec. 7 — Kansas City, MO
Dec. 8 — Loveland, CO

Then the MegaZord of Christian music disassemble, but the Christmas magic doesn’t end there.

Amy Grant will once again return home to Nashville for her annual Christmas at the Ryman residency with Vince Gill. For many Middle Tennessee families, it’s simply part of Christmas.

The combination of Amy, Vince, the Ryman Auditorium, storytelling, carols and surprise guests has quietly become one of Nashville’s most treasured holiday traditions. A matinee show sounds pretty perfect!

Dec. 14 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 — 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 19 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 — 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 20 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 — 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 22 — 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 23 — 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 23 — 7:30 p.m.

For Cece, Once Christmas Together wraps, she’ll head west for Christmas with CeCe Winans, joined by sisters Angie and Debbie Winans for a special series of holiday concerts.

Dec. 10 — Seattle, WA
Dec. 11 — Portland, OR
Dec. 15 — Phoenix, AZ
Dec. 16 — Bakersfield, CA
Dec. 17 — Los Angeles, CA
Dec. 18 — Sacramento, CA

And What About Michael?

Here’s the question we’re already asking…

Will Michael W. Smith return to Belmont University’s Fisher Center?

Over the last several years, the Fisher Center has become Michael’s Nashville Christmas home.

While nothing has been announced (yet), it would almost feel strange not to see another residency added once the arena tour concludes.

We’re certainly hoping.

UPDATE: DEC 19 & 20 – “Michael W. Smith, is excited to return to Nashville with his EVERY CHRISTMAS concert tour.”

Then There’s that Jaw Dropping Arena Show

While the legendary trio defines the Christmas season… let’s not forget about the dark horse arena show everyone is talking about. Not a tour. Just two unforgettable nights. CCM Magazine Cover Story artist Tommee Profitt will bring his Christmas spectacular The Birth of a King LIVE to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on December 12–13. Billed as “The Most Epic Christmas Event in History,” the production transforms Profitt’s acclaimed cinematic Christmas album into an unforgettable live experience featuring more than 20 guest artists, a 60-piece orchestra, 100-person choir, and full band.

This is on my can’t miss list this year!