This season demands music. It demands classical masterpieces and corny carols, klezmer and rock ‘n’ roll. Whatever your vibe — traditional, kitsch, anti-holidays — there’s a concert for you on the calendar.

“Messiah,” Nov. 24 – Dec. 2, various locations

Want your “Messiah” big and grand, the Handel and Haydn Society’s 170th reading of Handel’s masterpiece goes down at Symphony Hall Nov. 24-26. (Yes, that’s right, 170 years!) For something a bit more intimate, try Boston Baroque’s take on the piece Dec. 2 at Calderwood Studio or Dec. 3 at Jordan Hall. Handelandhaydn.org & Baroque.boston

Boston Tuba Christmas, Nov. 25, Downtown Crossing Steps

A hundred tuba players? Not enough. How about more than a hundred tuba players? If you’re looking for the most tubas in one place this holiday season, come to The Steps on Franklin and Washington Street for loads of carols and classics. Downtownboston.org

Darlene Love, Nov. 25, Cabot Theatre

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is the greatest holiday pop song of all time. Kudos to Mariah further down, but here it’s about loving Love, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and the original Christmas Queen. darleneloveworld.com

Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band, Nov. 28, Coolidge Corner Branch Library

Somewhere between folk and jazz, cozy and freewheeling, klezmer finds its sonic space. It’s perfect December music, and it’s done by one of Boston’s most talented and unique bands. Ewklezmer.com

The Holiday Pops, Dec. 1 – 24, Symphony Hall and around New England

Conductor Keith Lockhart or Santa? Well, both bring gifts and cheers this time of year, but Santa just doesn’t have Lockhart’s musical chops. The maestro and the Boston Pops celebrate 50 years of the Pops during this holiday season with old favorites and soon-to-be old favorites. bso.org/pops/

Mariah Carey, Dec. 11, TD Garden

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” is the greatest holiday pop song of the past 40 years. With luck the new Queen of Christmas will sing it 15 times in a row at her Boston Merry Christmas One and All! tour date. Barring that, we will allow her to do it a dozen times and also sing “Fantasy,” “Emotions,” and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” tdgarden.com

Hallelujah the Hills, Dec. 15, the Sinclair

Not a Christmas show, not one bit, but the band has the word “Hallelujah” right there in its name. Oh, and the band is the best indie rock act our fair city has produced in 20 years. Also, the song “Hassle Magnet” sounds like something Scrooge would write after being invited by his nephew to dinner.  sinclaircambridge.com

“Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Dec. 22 & 23, Colonial Theatre

Celebrate the wonderful sounds of this time of year with the Broadway Sinfonietta. Singer Stella Cole fronts Sinfonietta, an all-women and majority women-of-color orchestra known for its stunning skill and sonic diversity. Emersoncolonialtheatre.com

Barely Dead, Dec. 25, Crystal Ballroom

Boston’s best Dead tribute project rings in Christmas with the spirit of Jerry Garcia (the rock star who looked most like Santa!). Set list suggestions: “Cold Rain and Snow,” “Candyman,” “Stagger Lee,” and “Run, Rudolph, Run.” crystalballroomboston.com

Sousaphone players rehearse for Boston Tuba Christmas in Downtown Crossing. (Photo George Comeau)