The Austin Symphony Orchestra will present its Christmas concert, “An Andy and Bing Christmas,” at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School.

The featured artists for the performance are Rochester native Ben Utecht, a former University of Minnesota football star and Super Bowl Champion, as Andy Williams, and soul rocker Mick Sterling as Bing Crosby. The two bring with them a 19-piece orchestra and five female back-up singers.

“When people are asked what their favorite Christmas albums are, the vast majority of people often mention two albums – the Andy Williams and Bing Crosby Christmas records,” Sterling said. “These nostalgic songs are timeless, and our very large group brings them to life in a vibrant way. “

The Austin Symphony, under the directions of Conductor Steve Ramsey, is excited to be part of this tribute to Andy Williams and Bing Crosby.

With Andy and Bing, there’s a lot of Christmas spirit — and visual pageantry — to soak in, from the delightful choral singers led by Cate Fierro and a full string section to a full array of percussion and a magnificent 4-piece horn section.

Attendees will hear classic Andy Williams treatments of “Happy Holidays,” “Jingle Bells,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and more alongside timeless Bing Crosby favorites including “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Christmas in Killarney,” and, of course, “White Christmas.”

Utecht suffered five known concussions playing in the NFL and went on to write a book — and lecture — about living with brain trauma. In his singing career, Utecht has performed with some of the world’s best orchestras and conductors, such as the Cincinnati Pops under Maestro Erich Kunzel, and New York Pops Maestro Steven Reineke. He has also shared the stage with Grammy-winner Sandi Patty, performed for mega-producer and hit songwriter David Foster, and has toured many times with adult contemporary star pianist Jim Brickman.

Tickets are available at Hy-Vee or The Coffee House on Main for $15. The Austin Symphony is very grateful for all the support this community offers it.

For more information, visit www.austinmnsymphony.org.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• Austin Auxiliary $6 Sale, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin. Stop by the piano waiting area to check out a vast array of jewelry, scarves, apparel, accessories, handbags, and much more. You’ll find classic, trendy, and seasonal products for women, men and children at incredibly low prices. All moneys raised in Austin benefit Austin programs of Mayo Clinic Health System. For more information, call 507-434-1307.

• Nativity House Tours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 606 Oakland Place NE, Austin. Take a walk through this private home and discover over 950 different nativity sets collected from across the world. Small donation requested, which goes to the Salvation Army. For groups of 10 or more, please call 507-437-4563; for individual visitors, call 507-433-2643.

• Christmas in the Country – Pre-Sale Bake Sale, 3-6 p.m. at the Mower County Historical Society. Bake sale, silent auction and raffle. For more information, call 507-437-6082.

• Sixth Annual A Handmade Christmas Indie Maker Market, 4-8 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. For tickets or other information, go to www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4243.

• “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production.  Join the Peanuts gang, including Charlie Brown, Linus, and Snoopy, in this wonderful stage adaptation of Charles Schulz’s beloved holiday classic. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 for kids. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• “Miracle on 34th Street, the Play,” 7 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Based upon the classic movie, “Miracle on 34th Street, the Play” tells the story of Kris Kringle as he gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. At stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa and the possibilities of imagination. Miracle on 34th Street is a heartwarming holiday story that we want to believe in, where love and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. Season tickets $50, or show ticket for $13. For more information, go to www.riverland.edu/theatre or call 507-433-0595.

Saturday

• Sixth Annual A Handmade Christmas Indie Maker Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. For tickets or other information, go to www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4243

• Christmas Wonderland Craft and Vendors Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. Enjoy a day of browsing through a wide selection of home-based crafters and vendors. Free admission and free parking. For more information, or if interested in being a vendor, email lumbreras74@yahoo.com or text 507-273-4963.

• Kids’ Studio – Christmas Trees, 10:30 a.m. at Austin ArtWorks Center. With Gabriella Alba and Alondra Vasquez. Presented in English and Spanish. For kids ages 4 to 14; cost $5. For more information or to sign up, call 507-434-0934 or go to www.austinareaarts.org.

• Christmas in the County, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mower County Historical Society. Join the MCHS for an “old-fashioned Christmas” featuring a silent auction, raffle, activities for the kids, food stand and bake sale, wagon rides, Santa and much more. All proceeds benefit the Mower County Historical Society. For more information, call 507-437-6082.

• Author Visit – Jim Powell, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Meet poet turned Western author Jim Powell. For more information, call 507-496-8660.

• “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production.  Join the Peanuts gang, including Charlie Brown, Linus, and Snoopy, in this wonderful stage adaptation of Charles Schulz’s beloved holiday classic. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 for kids. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• “Miracle on 34th Street, the Play,” 7 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Based upon the classic movie, “Miracle on 34th Street, the Play” tells the story of Kris Kringle as he gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. At stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa and the possibilities of imagination. Miracle on 34th Street is a heartwarming holiday story that we want to believe in, where love and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. Season tickets $50, or show ticket for $13. For more information, go to www.riverland.edu/theatre or call 507-433-0595.

Sunday

• “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production.  Join the Peanuts gang, including Charlie Brown, Linus, and Snoopy, in this wonderful stage adaptation of Charles Schulz’s beloved holiday classic. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 for kids. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• “Miracle on 34th Street, the Play,” 2 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Based upon the classic movie, “Miracle on 34th Street, the Play” tells the story of Kris Kringle as he gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. At stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa and the possibilities of imagination. Miracle on 34th Street is a heartwarming holiday story that we want to believe in, where love and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. Season tickets $50, or show ticket for $13. For more information, go to www.riverland.edu/theatre or call 507-433-0595.