More Than You Can Handel

TubaChristmas, Sat., Dec. 19, noon, free, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org; Piffaro: Christmas in Renaissance Spain, Fri., Dec. 18, 8 p.m., Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., and Sat., Dec. 19, 8 p.m., St. Mark's Church, 1625 Locust St., $4-$35, 215-235-8469, piffaro.com.

by Peter Burwasser

Nothing wrong with annual Messiah performances, candlelight choral processions or carol sing-alongs. But there are alternate ways to dig classical music this Xmastime (howzabout a free tuba monster concert — a hundred root-a-tooters showing up at Kimmel this Saturday at noon?). For an ethereal experience, check out the Renaissance stylings of Piffaro, who'll present music of 16th-century Spain. You owe it to your music-loving self to at least give this world-class ensemble a shot.