Whether by artist choice or the happenstance of tour routing, Atlanta is a popular destination for holiday-themed concerts. This year is no exception.

Upcoming visits from Mariah Carey, Dave Koz, John Legend, Celtic Woman, T-Pain, T.I., Khalid, GloRilla, Alicia Witt and more are filling the concert calendars of the city’s most important venues.

“I think it’s because the audiences in Atlanta are so perceptive, receptive and responsive to music,” said saxophonist-producer-songwriter-radio host Dave Koz when discussing Atlanta as a holiday tour stop. “It’s a great place to play, and we’ve started our Christmas tours there for the last several years. It just makes sense to play a really festive show in Georgia to begin a tour.”

"Maybe this year is the most important time ever — for the players and the listeners to make a statement,” Dave Koz says. (Courtesy of Jack Cohen)

The Christmas-themed tours have been cathartic outlets for the popular smooth jazz performer since their inception. During a recent call with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from a studio in Sausalito, California, the amiable performer explained his Yuletide-themed tours began as a simple therapeutic undertaking.

Koz’s dad passed away in 1997 and, in the spring of that year, he was interviewing a fellow jazz musician, pianist David Benoit, for his long-running radio show (now broadcast at noon Sundays on SiriusXM).

“David had just lost his mom, and I’d lost my dad ― within about two weeks of each other,” Koz said. Benoit suggested the musicians play a few holiday-themed shows to do something positive in honor of their folks and to make some new memories for themselves. “He thought it might make everyone feel better, because obviously it can be a difficult time for everyone in different ways. Now here we are, in (our) 27th year of these shows.”

The tours became an integral part of the Koz canon, which includes eight collections of cheerful holiday tunes interspersed with nearly two dozen other full-length releases, a radio show, various wine and epicurean ventures and a fleet of international jazz cruises. After stints with Bobby Caldwell, Jeff Lorber and even pop hitmaker Richard Marx, Koz remains as surprised as anyone to be a major player in the Christmas music market.

“I’m just a nice Jewish boy from the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. And here we are, with 27 years of Christmas tours on my resume,” Koz laughed. “Go figure! But you know, I’m very happy. I love Christmas music and Hanukkah music. I just love the holiday feeling. So it’s all been a happy accident, I would say.”

The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2024 includes his frequent collaborator Jonathan Butler, the South African-born singer-guitarist, along with saxophonist Vincent Ingala, guitarist Adam Hawley and vocalist Rebecca Jade.

Of course, Koz is hardly the only musician helping make the holidays happy for Atlantans. Mariah Carey jump-starts holiday concerts in the city when her Christmas Time tour visits State Farm Arena on Nov. 23. 7:30 p.m., 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta. $25-$299. 1-800-745-3000.

Other stellar celebrations include:

Alicia Witt sings songs from her album "I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You" on Dec. 8 at Eddie's Attic. (Courtesy of Travis Commeau)

Musician/actor Alicia Witt will be performing selections from her self-produced holiday album “I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You,” at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Eddie’s Attic. $30-$50. 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur. eddiesattic.com.

John Legend's set list will include Christmas classics when he performs at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 17. (Robb Cohen for the AJC 2024)

Singer-songwriter-tastemaker John Legend is back in town for a merry performance at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. The program is slated to contain Christmas songs featuring the telegenic performer backed by a smooth four-piece combo. Expect a lush set, interspersed with interesting stories from throughout the artist’s career. $79-$554.50. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-881-2180, foxtheatre.org.