Tabernacle Choir Ushers in Christmas with Broadway Royalty

Tony Award-winning actress Stephanie J. Block and her husband, Broadway and television star Sebastian Arcelus, receive applause during the Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The married duo were the guest artists for this year's performances.

The most anticipated musical event of the holiday season has arrived! The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have officially kicked off their annual Christmas concerts, filling the vast Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, with the spirit of the Savior's birth.

The 2025 performances are especially memorable, featuring acclaimed Tony Award-winning actress Stephanie J. Block and her husband, Broadway and television star Sebastian Arcelus, as the guest artists. Hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the concerts are a powerful annual tradition celebrating the life and birth of Jesus Christ.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts an annual Christmas concert to celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Nearly 19,000 people attended the first performance of the 2025 concert at the Conference Center on Thursday evening, December 11.

The Stars Descend on Temple Square

The opening night, held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, drew a massive crowd, with nearly 19,000 people attending the inaugural performance. Additional sold-out shows took place on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13.

During a news conference on Friday morning, the guest artists shared their genuine delight at joining the world-renowned choir. Block remarked on the surprising warmth of the enormous venue: "There is a hug factor to this Conference Center... It felt welcoming.”

President Gary B. Porter of the Tabernacle Choir’s Presidency highlighted the unique, spiritual focus of the event: "It's a little different than some of the other concerts we've done, just a little less pageantry... with a focus on Jesus Christ."

A Love Story on and off Stage

Block and Arcelus, who famously met while starring as leads in the first national tour of Wicked, shared the stage in harmony. Block, who won a Tony Award for her performance in The Cher Show, and Arcelus, known for his roles in Madam Secretary and House of Cards, brought both their stage power and their intimate chemistry to the holiday repertoire.

Mack Wilberg leads the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square during the 2025 Christmas Concert.

Concert Highlights: A Global Celebration

Under the direction of Mack Wilberg, music director, and Ryan Murphy, associate music director, the evening was a magnificent journey through seasonal favorites and sacred music.

The concert began with a triumphant flourish from the Choir, performing songs of immense joy, including "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," "Joy to the World," and "Tis Joy When Moon and Stars Above." The music was beautifully enhanced by the sounds of the Bells at Temple Square and the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble.

 • Stephanie J. Block captivated the audience with traditional carols such as "Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella" and "What Child is This?" She also charmed the crowd with a medley that included "My Favorite Things."

 • Sebastian Arcelus honored his heritage by singing several songs in Spanish, including "Vamos, ya Pastores."

 • In a beautiful international nod, Julian Mansilla and Leandro Curaba, two instrumentalists from South America who recently performed with the Choir on its tour in Argentina, also performed during the concert.

The grand finale featured the guest artists and the Choir performing Christmas favorites like "Jingle Bells" and the reverent "Silent Night." The program concluded with the powerful Choir favorite, “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” an arrangement by Mack Wilberg, who has dedicated over 25 years to the Christmas concert tradition.

Organist Richard Elliott also showcased his talent with a moving arrangement of "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains." The spiritual anchor of the evening came when Arcelus and Block read the classic Nativity narrative from Luke 2 in the New Testament.

President Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristen, attend the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Church President Dallin H. Oaks watches the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Dignitaries and Leaders Share the Joy

The importance of the event was underscored by the attendance of senior leaders and dignitaries of the Church. Members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were present, including President Dallin H. Oaks and his wife Kristen, and President D. Todd Christofferson and his wife Kathy, who attended the Saturday and Thursday performances, respectively. The Church also hosted many distinguished guests from around the world.

How to Still Experience the Magic

If you missed the main concerts, there are still ways to experience this musical celebration:

 • Standby Line: A standby line forms at the Tabernacle on Temple Square 90 minutes before the 8:00 p.m. concert start time on Friday and Saturday nights (though tickets were already distributed).

 • Music & the Spoken Word: Block and Arcelus were also scheduled to perform during the renowned “Music & the Spoken Word” broadcast on Sunday, December 14, at 9:30 a.m. No tickets are required for this broadcast.

The Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra, and Bells at Temple Square, an all-volunteer, Grammy and Emmy-winning ensemble, continues its mission to provide inspiring music that brings people closer to the divine and celebrates God's love for all His children.

More Photos:

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joins his wife, Ruth, and their daughter, Ashley, for the Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas concert at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife, Kathy, get ready to take their seats at the Conference Center for the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

President D. Todd Christofferson of the First Presidency and his wife, Kathy, greet attendees of the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles listens to the music of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during its annual Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Elder Gérald Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attends the annual Christmas concert by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy greets the Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown, pastor emeritus of San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church and his wife, Jane, at the annual Christmas concert by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson visits with other Church leaders before the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's Christmas concert at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025

Sister J. Anette Dennis of the Relief Society General Presidency attend the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Sister Amy A. Wright of the Primary General Presidency listens to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during its Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles sits with his wife, Susan, at the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles welcomes guests attending the annual Christmas concert by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attends the annual Christmas concert by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, December 11, 2025.