As the festive season approaches, there is an abundance of seasonal music.

The first of this season’s Messiah is tomorrow, at 7.30pm, when Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir and the much-loved Emerald Ensemble perform Handel’s stirring classic with four outstanding soloists. As this work is so popular, there will be a repeat performance on Sunday with the same artistes. Tickets: £9-£24 from 0117 368 2922.

Another interesting concert tomorrow is a Baroque Christmas celebration – In Nativitate Domini – given by the renowned early music ensemble Bell’arte Salzburg, with the irresistible sopranos Emma Kirkby and Susanne Ryden. Some unusual composers to be heard are Biber, Schutz and Geist. Tickets from £10-£28, with concessions, from St George’s box office on 0845 4024100.

Tonight, again at the above venue, the eminent champion of Messiaen, pianist Joanna MacGregor presents his two-hour meditation Vingt Regards Sur L’Enfant Jesus, a haunting and sublimely beautiful piece performed by candlelight. Tickets from £10 at the number above.

Also at Bristol Cathedral tonight, the choir are giving a concert of carols old and new, and some Christmas music. Also, there are readings of favourite pieces by Pam Ayres, Dylan Thomas and John Betjeman among others. Tickets from the cathedral or Providence Music – 0117 927 6536.

Sunday is a busy day, with some contrasting entertainment on offer. Firstly, at the Colston Hall, there is Christmas With The Salvation Army at 3pm – a traditional treat where the Easton band will be joined by local children performing the Nativity to raise money for the Leonard Cheshire Home in Kingswood.

Also on Sunday afternoon, a following their triumph with Beethoven’s mighty Missa Solemnis, will enjoy a smaller-scale engagement. A chamber choir of 28 from Bristol Choral Society will sing a carefully selected Christmas programme in Tyntesfield’s beautiful Victorian- Gothic chapel at 1.30pm and 3pm. Tickets on 08442 491895.

Other concerts in a busy week are Bristol’s 150-strong community choir, The Gasworks, who sing an exhilarating repertoire of pop, folk, soul, jazz, classical and world music. This is again at St George’s on Sunday, at 2.30pm and 8pm.

Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir and Orchestra perform carols and music for Christmas at 7.30pm on Tuesday December 16 and Wednesday December 17. Also, the Exultate Singers present Carols By Candlelight on Thursday December 18, at 8pm, at the medieval St James’s Priory. Tickets from Providence Music on 0117 927 6536.

Advance notice on an interesting programme by Bristol Bach Choir, in which there is a piece written by Brian Kelly, dedicated to the retiring conductor Peter Leech. More next Friday, in which it looks like another busy week of Christmas concerts.