Ingrid Michaelson Wrapped The Lincoln Theatre In Holiday Cheer | 12.6.25
- Nate Payne
- Dec 13
- 2 min read
Photos & Words by: Nate Payne
Ingrid Michaelson turned the Lincoln Theatre into a glowing holiday sanctuary last weekend, delivering a Christmas concert that felt both intimate and festive. Framed by red and green backdrop lighting and accented with red and green flower leis draped across the microphones, the evening unfolded like a living holiday card, thoughtfully composed and filled with genuine cheer.
Michaelson, an enduring force in indie folk-pop, was clearly at home in her seasonal repertoire. From the moment she and her band stepped onstage, the room buzzed with anticipation. One of the night’s standout moments came with a spirited cover of Mele Kalikimaka, the beloved National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation favorite. Michaelson’s playful delivery, paired with the band’s lush arrangement, transformed the song into a joyful singalong, drawing laughter and smiles from across the crowd.
She also reached into her catalog with “Christmas Lights” from her 2019 album Stranger Songs, a project inspired by the eerie nostalgia of Stranger Things. Performed live, the song shimmered with a quieter magic, offering a reflective counterpoint to the evening’s brighter moments. Its gentle tone added emotional depth, reminding the audience that the holidays often carry both joy and longing.
Cheers swept through the theatre when Michaelson launched into “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,” a crowd favorite co-written with Zooey Deschanel. The song’s optimism resonated throughout the room, with voices joining in and turning the performance into a shared expression.
Setlist: Ingrid Michaelson | The Lincoln Theatre | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.6.25
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Mele Kalikimaka
Home
Maybe
Be OK
Christmas Valentine
The Chain
Christmas Lights
You and I
Winter Song
Song for a Winter's Night
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year
The Way I Am
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Girls Chase Boys
Encore:
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Michaelson didn’t just perform a holiday concert she created a shared memory for the entire crowd. The show checked all the seasonal boxes, leaving the audience with the unmistakable feeling that they were walking away carrying a small piece of the holiday spirit with them. For more information about Ingrid Michaelson, please visit the links below.
Ingrid Michaelson Social Media
Ingrid Michaelson | The Lincoln Theatre | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 12.6.25
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