A Nashville holiday tradition returns as Drew and Ellie Holcomb once again bring Neighborly Christmas to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for a night of nostalgia, storytelling, and community.
What began nearly two decades ago as a spontaneous idea has grown into one of Music City’s favorite annual traditions. “It came about in… I think 2007,” Drew recalls in a recent phone interview with Ellie nearby. “We thought it’d be fun to just make a Christmas record randomly. We rented out the old Belcourt Theater, invited some artist friends, and put on this show.” That first night sold out, and suddenly a tradition was born.
Over the years, Neighborly Christmas moved from the Belcourt to 3rd & Lindsley, and eventually to its current home at the Schermerhorn. The move elevated the experience in every way.
“It’s just such a beautiful setting… It upped the pageantry. It went from a neighborhood rock-and-roll Christmas show to, ‘Oh, we’re putting on a real show here.’ That’s when Ellie started getting these elegant evening gowns every year.”
A VIP Sing-Along, Holcomb Style
This year’s show includes a VIP pre-show sing-along — an idea that was, unsurprisingly, pure Ellie.
“I’m a bit of a Scrooge and Ellie’s a bit of an elf,” Drew jokes. “The sing-along was 100% her idea.” But even then, fans tend to prefer listening. “They don’t really sing along that much. They want to hear us sing. So now we do more songs and save the sing-along for the end.”
The set itself blends holiday favorites with deep cuts from the Holcombs’ catalog, reimagined with a fireside, jazzy feel. “It’s important to me that the show isn’t just Christmas songs,” he says. “That’s what keeps people coming back; it changes every year but still feels familiar.”
Giving Back: A Longtime Partnership
The Holcombs are once again partnering with International Justice Mission by donating $1 from every ticket to help fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable communities around the world.
“Somebody told us once: find the things you absolutely object to, then dig your nonprofit work into those spaces,” he says. “So we add a dollar per ticket everywhere we go, then send IJM a check at the end of every tour. It’s a cool way to encourage generosity in our fan base.”
A New Christmas EP Filled With Heart
Just in time for the season, Drew and Ellie are releasing a new holiday EP, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, out November 21.
Christmas music has always been a special creative space for the Holcombs and their band.
“Our band is more influential on our Christmas music than any other part of our catalog,” Drew shares. “It’s the one part of my music I can’t do by myself. These songs are complicated — it’s this Sinatra, Nat King Cole world we get to step into.”
This year’s EP features:
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” — recorded as a warm, nostalgic duet
- “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” — a reverent take on a classic hymn
- “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” — a fun, wink-and-nod throwback
Drew says the blend of playful and sacred reflects the true feel of the season. “There’s chaos — parties, kids’ recitals, shopping — mixed with all these beautiful traditions. Not many artists put ‘Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy’ and ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’ on the same project,” he says with a laugh.
Above all, he hopes the EP becomes a holiday refuge.
“I hope people can escape the chaos of everyday life — just slow down, enjoy the people around them. I hope it soundtracks those quieter moments of putting up the tree, wrapping presents, going to see friends. And I hope they feel like they’re not the only ones trying to balance the overwhelm with the beauty of it all.”
What’s Next: A Full-Band National Tour in 2026
After a big year and a big holiday season, the couple is already gearing up for an even bigger year in 2026.
“We finally made a record together last year,” Drew says. “We did about 30 shows, but we realized we skipped a bunch of places.”
Next year, the duo is hitting the road with The Neighbors — their first full-production tour together.
“It’s coast-to-coast — Florida to Seattle, Santa Barbara to New York, everywhere in between,” Drew says. “And we’re ending it with two nights at the Ryman. It’s my favorite venue in the world.”
But before the next tour, get your tickets for this year’s Neighborly Christmas at the Schermerhorn here. You won’t regret it!
