The Tradition Continues as 'The Andy Kim Christmas' Returns to Massey Hall on December 3, 2025
- jaybroderick
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By: Jay Broderick - On October 27th, I covered a HEAVY show featuring Lorna Shore. During that particular show, the music between sets were the likes of Sade's "Smooth Operator" and Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart". What was astounding (well, it shouldn't really be) was that these deathcore metal fans were singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs, proving that metal fans are not locked in a corner, and frankly, are the greatest music fans ever! And that will make this post that much more special...
Christmas time... it's the most wonderful time of the year! It's as true today, as it was in 1963 when Andy Williams first sang the iconic lyrics. And Toronto’s holiday season just wouldn’t feel the same without Canada's own singing legend of the same name, Andy Kim’s annual Christmas show. This year the tradition continues at Massey Hall on December 3, 2025. Now in its 21st year, the event has become a cornerstone of the city’s music calendar, blending star-studded performances with heartfelt community spirit.
A Tradition Born from Gratitude
The show began as a one-off idea more than two decades ago. As Andy Kim recalled in our recent conversation, “The idea of doing a Christmas show was just, it was a one-off, by the way, just going to do it one time, one season. I just thought, okay, so let me call some artists that I’ve just met and maybe they’ll say yes and we’ll all sing songs.”
That spontaneous decision blossomed into an annual gathering of Canadian music icons. Over the years, artists like Sarah McLachlan, The Trews, Kim Mitchell, Serena Ryder, and Barenaked Ladies have joined Kim on stage, all performing for free in support of charity.
The Spirit of Giving
From the beginning, the show has been about more than music... it’s about giving back. Kim emphasized that “It’s for free. It’s for charity. It’s not for us making any money. I don’t make any money. I just have to pay the venue for their time and food and all that kind of stuff. So 100% to charity.”
In recent years, the event has partnered with CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). Kim described his involvement as deeply personal, recalling how he was inspired by a program that provided clothing to patients arriving in vulnerable circumstances. “For someone to show up at three o’clock in the morning with a bathrobe on or a bedsheet on… and then to be able to get a brand new pair of sneakers or a jacket, it changes how you feel. That’s the part of CAMH that I’m involved in and I feel very honored about.”
A Life Without a Sequel
Andy Kim’s career is legendary. From his chart-topping hits “Sugar, Sugar”, "I Love You" and “Rock Me Gently”, to his induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2019, his accolades are numerous. Yet it was his appointment to the Order of Canada in 2024 that Kim holds the dearest. "You know what? That's the most important thing to me. And I cried when I got the phone call." But even among all his successes, he remains grounded. “I’ve dreamt my life and I’ve lived my one and only life without a sequel,” he told us here at LoudTO. “I just feel very blessed, wonderfully lucky, and an honour to be able to talk to you today.”
That humility and gratitude permeate the Christmas show, making it more than just a concert... it’s a celebration of community, generosity, and shared joy. Just as the holiday that it represents.
Massey Hall: A Perfect Home
This year marks Kim’s fourth time hosting the event at Massey Hall, a venue steeped in history. “I started doing it right after the reconstruction of Massey Hall. Beautiful idea! So Gordon Lightfoot opened it up, and Buffy St. Marie was the second artist, and I was the third artist in the buildup. And so this is my fourth year,” Kim explained.
For music fans of all genres, the chance to experience the show in such a storied space adds to the magic. The venue’s legacy, combined with Kim’s vision, creates an atmosphere that is both intimate and monumental.
A Glimpse Inside the Man
Whenever I am having a chat with an artist on a new record, or about an ongoing tour, the direction of the interview is clear. It's crucial however, for me to get a candid look inside the person before me. Even though my palms are sweating (I mean, we're talking to Canadian music royalty here), I drop the question... "What keeps Andy Kim ticking?" As the whole conversation to this point has been with an extremely grateful, humble man, his answer here was just as down to Earth.
"When I have my wonderful journey for my next life, no one's going to ask me how many records did you sell. To me, it's a celebration of this one-minded, headstrong kid that just wanted to write songs, although I was not a musician, I had never played an instrument". Kim shares that it was a transistor radio that his brother let him borrow and he was able to hear WABC in New York City. It took him out of the tenements of Montreal and made him dream of something beyond. "I'm not the only one that can rise to a better occasion. But God's in my life. I'm not part of anything other than the strong belief that this is a test. Who are you? Why are you? What are you going to do about it?"
Looking Ahead
20 year of history have proved that The Andy Kim Christmas is one of the greatest musical celebrations of the season here in Toronto, and one thing is for certain... this year's performance will once again embody the spirit of the season... music, community, and giving.
Details for the event can be found HERE, along with links to purchase tickets.
Comments