Don your most concert-worthy Christmas attire—yes, red shorts and Santa polos will do—and prepare for an afternoon of energetic holiday tunes with Mannheim Steamroller. Director of Marketing at the Crown Complex, Gary Rogers, says attendees love to “gear up for the holidays” at this concert.
“It’s North Carolina, so it depends on the weather, but I’ve seen red shorts and Santa polos,” he said of attendees showing their Christmas spirit. “Mannheim is the soundtrack of the holidays. People come and enjoy it with their families, and what an introduction to the holidays it is.”
Cited as the longest-running consecutive tour in the music industry, the group is loved for their cinematic sound and engaging sets. Mannheim Steamroller's style, dubbed “18th Century Classical Rock,” is “largely credited with establishing the genre of New Age music,” according to their website.
Chip Davis, founder, percussionist, and composer, announced their 2025 Christmas tour, saying, “I remember when I came out with my very first Christmas album in 1984, followed by our first tour. Back then, many said focusing on Christmas just wouldn’t work. Now, over more than 35 years later, we are still going strong—and are the longest running concert tour in the entertainment industry! I want to thank all our fans for making us part of their holiday tradition.”
This will be their first time back in Fayetteville after a several year absence from the area. With two traveling ensembles performing across the country, Fayetteville won’t miss out on the holiday cheer.
“We’re really just happy to have them back in our market,” shared Anna Deaton Ricuard, Marketing Manager at the Crown Complex. “This was one of my favorite things to do growing up, so the fact that we can make those memories for people and their families is really special. When you think about classic Christmas songs, most of the time, that's them. The fact that we can bring in a live orchestra and kick off the holiday season for people is awesome.”.
A matinee showing makes it uniquely accessible for Christmas music-lovers of all ages.
“We really wanted to make it as accessible as possible for people, especially those with small children who have bedtimes that they like to stick to and not stay out too late,” Ricuard explained. “So that 3 p.m. time slot is going to be really perfect for those families, but this really appeals to all.”
Rogers emphasized how engaging the sets and visuals are. From the large variety of instruments and talents to the lights and visual effects, he says it’s “hard to take your eyes off” the performance.
“It’s almost like everybody watching gets their own version of the show depending on who they’re looking at,” he said. “It’s really an experience to start your holidays with.”
If you’re ready to shake up your holiday tradition or bring back an old standard, Ricuard says this event “Is the perfect fit for you.”
Mannheim Steamroller will perform at the Crown Complex, Saturday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3LmZ3lL or by calling the Crown box office at 910-438-4100.