By now, seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra in December feels less like attending a concert and more like keeping a cherished holiday tradition. This year, TSO brought their winter spectacle to Minnesota—this time at the Target Center in Minneapolis instead of their usual stop in St. Paul (due to the World Junior Hockey Championship). Once again, TSO delivered exactly what fans have come to expect—and love.
This year’s production centered on The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, a familiar chapter in the TSO catalog. While longtime fans may recognize much of the framework, the band has an uncanny ability to make even a repeated story feel alive. From the opening moments, it was clear the evening crowd was in for a full-throttle experience. Before the show started, a few band members emerged on stage to announce that one dollar from each ticket would be donated to a local charity, and they showed a check for over $16,000 to the Salvation Army. It’s encouraging to see TSO prioritize charitable partnerships—after all, that’s at the very heart of Christmas.
The show launched with thunderous intensity, immediately pulling the audience to its feet. Early highlights included “Night Enchanted,” “Winter Palace,” and “The Lost Christmas Eve,” setting the tone for what would be a nonstop surge of sound and spectacle. The energy in the arena was electric, and the crowd responded in kind.
At the core of the performance was the complete telling of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Songs like “O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night,” “Christmas Canon Rock,” and “First Snow” landed with all the drama and grandeur fans expect. And then there was the production—flashing lights, lasers slicing through the air, and snow cascading from above. It’s hard to overstate just how immersive a TSO show is. Plenty of bands attempt big production; Trans-Siberian Orchestra defines it.
The second half of the setlist included the greatest hits of TSO: “Wizards in Winter,” “A Mad Russian’s Christmas,” “Moonlight Sonata,” and “Carmina Burana.” One of the highlights of the night was an acoustic cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” Musically, the band was as sharp as ever. The guitar work was fierce, the string sections commanding, and the vocalists delivered with precision and power throughout the night. Most of the band and singers were familiar faces, but there were a few new members up there. This crowd was extremely excited to welcome back one of our own Minneapolis natives, Nate Amor.
What continues to impress me most is how TSO avoids feeling mechanical, even with a setlist that doesn’t change dramatically year to year. The performances still feel intentional and passionate. Al Pitrelli, in particular, comes across as genuinely thankful for each audience—a small but meaningful touch on a tour that spans countless cities. A highlight for my son and me was when Al walked down our aisle, sat next to us, and played guitar there for a moment. My son, a guitar player himself, had a pick in his pocket and offered to trade with Al. Much to his surprise, Al did. My son was ecstatic that a legendary rock musician was playing TSO songs live with his pick. It was a memory we will never forget. The band does an incredible job interacting with their audiences and truly appreciates their fans.
The closing number, “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” once again proved why it remains such a beloved staple—it’s impossible not to feel something when those final notes ring out, not to mention the heat from all the fire. TSO uses enough pyrotechnics to make Rammstein or KISS blush. As the lights came up and the crowd filtered out, I was once again thankful for a wonderful year of concert attending. I’ve seen some great shows, but TSO is always the best, and always a fantastic way to end the year.
If you’ve never experienced Trans-Siberian Orchestra live, it’s hard to explain just how special it is. Please mark your calendar, grab tickets early, and make it part of your holiday celebrations. Few things capture the spirit of the season quite like this.
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