Andy Kim Christmas - A Night of Canadian Talent, Community, and Celebration
- jaybroderick
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Ontario - One month ago, I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Canadian music legend Andy Kim about the annual Andy Kim Christmas Show. The 2025 edition returned to Massey Hall on December 3rd, with all the warmth, humor, and musical brilliance that has made it a Toronto holiday tradition for 21 years. More than just a night of live music and Christmas celebration, the evening was a gathering of Canadian icons and rising stars, united by Andy Kim’s vision of music as a gift, with proceeds supporting CAMH’s Gifts of Light program.
The opening moments of the night's festivities was introduced by Community Music Schools of Toronto's Executive Director Richard Marsella. He took a moment to share the mission of the school, which is to provide free music lessons to kids across the city. With a full stage of singers and musicians, the school performed to kick things off, and we were under way!
At the outset of each show we cover, we are given a set of photography rules, typically "First 3 songs from each band's set, No flash!" With tonight's "variety show" of performers, each band/artist was to play only 1-2 songs, so our limitations were "First 3 songs"... period! At first I was a little disappointed as my expectation was that Andy Kim would only make an appearance at the end of the event. Boy, was I wrong! Andy Kim appeared right off the hop, and set the tone with “Baby I Love You”, his voice still radiant, his presence magnetic. Kim then stuck around all night. Between acts, his trademark storytelling and introductions gave the night a personal touch. His joy in presenting collaborators like Andy Stochansky (with whom he once wrote under his Baron Longfellow moniker) underscored the evening’s spirit of discovery and camaraderie.
First Set Highlights
Julian Taylor (whom I discovered in 2024 when he opened up for Steve Earle) joined Kim’s band which featured guitarist James Marshall Reid, and delivered soulful vocals that had the crowd clapping along in unison.
Tom Wilson & Junkhouse stormed the stage after Kim inadvertently introduced them as Mary Margaret O'Hara. Joking that it took them 33 years to finally play the Massey Hall stage, they tore into "Out of My Head" with raw energy. At this early juncture of the show, the track kicked things up 10 notches!
While Andy Kim was present all night, Canadian comedian Sean Cullen was the night's real master of ceremonies. The night’s comic glue. He kept the crowd laughing with playful banter while introducing artists like Rêve, whose angelic harmonies brought the mood down to a hushed reverence.
Kim returned for “Sugar Sugar”, with Cullen singing along and the audience erupting into seat-dancing, clapping, and cheers. It was a reminder of how timeless that song remains.
Second Set Fireworks
After a brief intermission, Canadian rockers Sloan lit up the hall with “The Rest of My Life” and the anthem “Money City Maniacs.” Their insistence that “we’re not leaving until everybody is clapping” turned the room into a thunderous chorus.
Mary Margaret O’Hara, finally introduced for real, delivered one of the night’s most poignant performances. Singing a cappella before sliding into “Blue Christmas”, she dedicated her performance to those we've lost this year. Her playful finale, lying on stage with her feet in the air, earned a heartfelt “BRAVO” from the crowd.
Another artist I've had the pleasure of covering recently with her new documentary, Bif Naked was in the house! The singer electrified the hall with an a cappella intro before exploding into “I Love Myself Today.” The audience sang along with abandon, proving her punk spirit still resonates.
Kevin Drew, joined by fiancée Rachel McLain on drums, offered an intimate instrumental before welcoming Darren Roy Clarke for a collaborative track that drew a massive applause.
After first only playing one track, Junkhouse returned, introduced Gordon Lightfoot drummer Barry Keane (who has been tapping a tambourine all night long in the house band) and gave the fans one more with a soaring rendition of “Shine.”
Andy Kim’s Heartfelt Reflections
Andy Kim returned to sing another track. This one a solo performance of “Oh My Jesus”, a song written 50 years ago but never performed live until now. It was deeply personal. He spoke candidly about the melancholy he feels at Christmas, urging forgiveness over anger. His vulnerability was met with warmth, especially when backup singer Omar Lunan thanked him in a heartfelt speech that visibly moved him.
Grand Finale
The closing stretch was pure celebration. Modern English’s Tommy Brunnett and Tom Barlow delivered a nostalgic “Melt With You” and Craig Strickland channeled Joe Cocker with a powerful “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Finally, the entire cast, Bif's dogs and all, joined Andy for “Rock Me Gently.” Fans rose to their feet, clapping, singing, and cheering as the night ended in a joyful crescendo.
The Andy Kim Christmas Show remains one of Toronto’s most unique holiday traditions. It's a blend of charity, community, and artistry. The format, with Kim personally introducing each act rather than saving his appearance for the end, made the night feel intimate and inclusive. And it gave this photographer the opportunity to grab a few shots of the legend in action.
If there was one surprise, it was the scarcity of actual Christmas songs. Only Mary Margaret O’Hara’s “Blue Christmas” carried the seasonal banner. But in truth, the spirit of the season was everywhere. In the generosity of the performers this night (and the previous 20 as none get paid), and the fans who bought tickets, and made donations via a 50/50 draw among others, have helped to raise over $500,000 for CAMH over the years. The sheer joy of a community coming together through music.
This was a fun, heartfelt night that reminded us why Andy Kim’s Christmas show is more than a concert. Like the holiday it celebrates, it is steeped in tradition.
Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)
Andy Kim Online
Show Date: December 3, 2025
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