Holly Cole is in a class of her own
GUELPH, ON November 12, 2026 — Guelph is thrilled to welcome the incomparable Holly Cole back to River Run Centre for a third time. The Juno Award-winning, world-renowned Canadian singer mesmerizes audiences, who hang on her every note. Celebrate the holidays early with Holly Cole Swinging Christmas on River Run Centre’s Main Stage on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
This warm and cozy show is part of River Run’s Jazz Sessions, celebrating the vibrant, bold world of jazz as it is meant to be — live and in the moment. Cole and her band of merry men offer a show that is full of energy, rhythm, and life. Support from Season Sponsor Richardson Wealth and the Government of Canada help make this show possible.
Holly Cole’s jazz is distinct and surprising. She weaves in elements of pop and country, uniquely reshaping the standards of these genres. Her voice is smoky and rich, and her arrangements are smart and sultry. She has been reinventing tunes since 1989, when she released her four-song EP, Christmas Blues, memorable for her revered jazzy cover of The Pretenders’ song, “2000 Miles.” She followed that release with her Gold-selling debut Girl Talk in 1990, and about a dozen recordings after that.
The Nova Scotian musician has many Juno nominations under her belt and two wins. As part of the Holly Cole Trio, she won Best Contemporary Jazz Album with 1994’s Don’t Smoke in Bed, and as a solo artist, she won Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for her 2004 record, Shade. Dark Moon is her most recent release, featuring Cole and her band doing what they do best — reinventing songs from renowned writers including Marty Balin, Peggy Lee, Hal David, and more.
For this “Swinging Christmas” performance, Cole delivers many fun and emotive songs of the season picked from her 2022 Baby It’s Cold Outside and I Have the Christmas Blues album.
Tickets to Holly Cole Swinging Christmas are $49 for adults, $47 for anyone over 60 years old, and $29 for those under 30. Subscribe & Save 20% when you buy tickets to four or more shows. For more information or to purchase, call 519-763-3000, visit River Run’s Box Office at 35 Woolwich Street in Guelph, or purchase tickets online.
FOR INFORMATION
Kasia Rusiniak | Program Manager, Development and Marketing
River Run Centre
City of Guelph
519-837-5662 ext. 2589
[email protected]