With the red-and-green behemoth of Christmas lurking on the horizon like a giant, candy-coated lizard, it’s tempting to run for the hills. Mall muzak and “festive” pop medleys have twisted Christmas carols into tools of oppression, a means to force the masses into a state of perpetual cheer. Thankfully, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is here to remind us what these carols were like before tinny beats and meowing cats took over the holiday soundscape. This Friday and Saturday (December 12 and 13), the CPO will host A Traditional Christmas at Grace Presbyterian Church. With appearances by the Calgary Girls Choir and baritone Allan Monk, as well as an audience singalong, A Traditional Christmas should be a perfect antidote to the usual holiday overkill.

This week’s other church show is decidedly less traditional. Toronto violinist Dr. Draw mixes classical melodies with trip hop and world-inspired beats, rock’s theatricality and pure pop accessibility. Given the recent success of classical crossover acts like Il Divo, Draw is a likely candidate for a breakthrough — his show at Knox United Church on Thursday, December 11 might be your last chance to see him in a reasonably intimate venue.

The Christmas spirit is also sidling over to the Beat Niq on Tuesday, December 16, when local indie poppers Beagle Ranch release their Christmas Time EP. The title track is the only Christmas song on the disc, but the band’s jangly acoustic tunes are well suited to the season, even when they’re not explicitly about Santa and the gang.

If you’d rather steer clear of the holiday spirit entirely, there are still plenty of options this weekend. Washington, D.C.’s Fort Knox Five may preach about the power of peace and love, but their blend of funk, rock and hip hop doesn’t exactly lend itself to carolling. Their Saturday set at the HiFi will be light on the Christmas, heavy on the cheer.