Inside Pentatonix’s Christmas in the City Tour
A few months ago, we shared a brief look inside rehearsals for Pentatonix, an early snapshot of the months-long process that goes into refining some of the most intricate vocal arrangements in pop music. What starts as careful planning and late-night run-throughs eventually becomes something far bigger: a fully realized live experience built to meet the scale and legacy of one of the most celebrated holiday tours in the country.
That work culminated in Christmas in the City, Pentatonix’s latest nationwide holiday run.
At the center of it all was musical director and playback engineer Lucas Sader, who began writing and arranging the show back in August. With a tight timeline and a packed schedule, much of the production was built from the ground up. From vocal arrangements to transitions and pacing, every element had to be crafted with precision to support Pentatonix’s signature harmonies while still leaving room for spontaneity and joy.
The process didn’t slow down once rehearsals wrapped. A special appearance on Dancing With the Stars added another layer of complexity, requiring flexibility and adaptability as the show continued to evolve in real time. As the tour moved from city to city across the U.S., the production tightened, sharpened, and grew.
Pentatonix’s Christmas tour has become a legendary annual tradition, one audiences return to year after year. That history brings expectation, but it also brings opportunity. This year’s Christmas in the City didn’t just meet those expectations, it expanded on them, delivering a show that felt both polished and deeply alive.
For the crew behind the scenes and the fans filling venues each night, the result was something special: a reminder of what’s possible when months of preparation, collaboration, and trust come together on stage. Truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish.