Mannheim Steamroller Christmas returns to Wilson Center this holiday season

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Holiday favorite Mannheim Steamroller Christmas is returning to the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College this fall, bringing its signature blend of festive music, dazzling visuals and holiday tradition back to Wilmington.

The Wilson Center announced Monday that Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis will take the stage on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, with performances scheduled for 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Wilson Center’s recent reveal that Home Alone in Concert will also be part of its 2026 holiday lineup, performing on Dec. 19.

For more than four decades, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas has become a holiday tradition for audiences across the country. Created by Grammy Award-winning composer and producer Chip Davis, the production features beloved Christmas classics performed in the group’s signature sound, accompanied by immersive multimedia effects.

This year’s performances will feature 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments, blending classic selections from Mannheim Steamroller’s bestselling holiday albums with spectacular visual effects designed to capture the spirit of the season.

“I remember when I came out with my first Christmas album in 1984 followed by our first tour. Back then, many in the music industry said focusing on Christmas just wouldn’t work,” Davis said in a statement.

“Now, 40 years later, we are still going strong. I want to thank our fans for making us part of their holiday tradition. Today we often see multi-generational families join us during the holidays each year.”

Davis founded the independent record label American Gramaphone, which grew to become one of the industry’s largest independent labels. Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 41 million albums, including more than 31.5 million Christmas albums, making it one of the best-selling holiday music acts of all time.

Ticket Information

Wilson Center members will have early access to tickets beginning Wednesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. General public ticket sales begin Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m., both online and at the Wilson Center box office.

Wilson Center officials encourage patrons to purchase tickets only through the official Wilson Center ticketing website to avoid fraudulent ticket sales.