By Coral Gables Gazette staff

It will be a celebration of music, community, and tradition as the Community Arts Program (CAP) presents its annual free Holiday Concert and Dessert on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. The event promises an evening filled with jazz, classical performance, original compositions and a full-audience carol sing-along — all followed by a dessert reception featuring coffee, punch and pumpkin-apple pie.

The concert brings together several of CAP’s most accomplished student and teaching ensembles, including the CAP Jazz Ensemble, CAP Creative Strings III, and the organization’s roster of professional CAP Teaching Artists. For families, students, music lovers, and neighbors seeking a festive evening without ticket cost or barrier, the concert reflects CAP’s long-held mission: make world-class music accessible to the public and build community through performance.

A program built on talent, tradition and accessibility

CAP has spent more than three decades shaping young musicians throughout Miami-Dade, pairing rigorous musical instruction with opportunities to perform alongside professionals. For many students, the Holiday Concert marks a milestone: a chance to perform seasonal repertoire and original works in a landmark Coral Gables venue known for its acoustics and architectural beauty.

This year’s program includes:

• Original compositions by CAP students and faculty
• Jazz standards that highlight improvisation and ensemble cohesion
• Classical discoveries selected for the season
• A Grand Ol’ Carol Sing-Along, inviting the full audience to participate

The combination reflects CAP’s multidisciplinary approach: jazz, classical, contemporary, and traditional repertoire share equal space, and students learn that musical literacy carries across genres.

A venue at the heart of local arts culture

The host venue is a cornerstone of local arts programming. Known for its warm acoustics, Mediterranean Revival architecture, and decades-long role as a partner in community concerts, the church creates an atmosphere that suits both intimate ensemble work and the uplift of choral and holiday music.

Many longtime residents associate seasonal concerts with this space, where music spills into the courtyard and neighbors gather before and after performances. CAP’s annual Holiday Concert continues that tradition, inviting the community into a familiar setting at a moment of the year defined by connection and reflection.

A seasonal celebration designed for families

While the musical program offers depth and range, the evening places equal value on fellowship. The event’s dessert reception — featuring pumpkin-apple pie, coffee, and punch — reflects CAP’s goal of blending performance with community gathering. CAP organizers describe the concert as one of their most inclusive events: an evening where returning attendees meet first-timers, where music students share the stage with mentors, and where neighbors find a reason to come together.

For families with young children, the sing-along is often the highlight. Seasonal favorites and classic carols provide a shared moment, allowing even the youngest audience members to participate. For adult attendees, the jazz and strings performances offer artistic depth while maintaining the celebratory spirit of the evening.

A fusion of education, performance and community-building

Coral Gables enters December with a wide array of cultural offerings, from gallery nights to theater programs to university concerts. CAP’s Holiday Concert stands out because it fuses education, performance, and community-building in a single event. It also marks one of the few December arts programs that remains fully free, removing the economic barrier that can prevent families from attending seasonal performances.

For CAP students, the concert is both culmination and launchpad — the closing gesture of the fall semester and the start of winter-season programming. For the broader arts community, it is another reminder of the city’s commitment to accessible arts education and cultural vibrancy.

Event details

• Community Arts Program (CAP) Holiday Concert + Dessert
• Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.
• Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Boulevard
• Admission: Free
• Featuring: CAP Jazz Ensemble, CAP Creative Strings III, CAP Teaching Artists
• Post-concert dessert reception with coffee, punch, and pumpkin-apple pie

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating, as CAP holiday events traditionally draw strong community turnout.