Trans-Siberian Orchestra Sets Tampa Tour Stop

TAMPA, FL — Summer may not be officially over, but the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is already gearing up to help folks get in the holiday spirit. The orchestra has announced a Tampa stop on its upcoming “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” winter tour.

The Tampa stop includes two shows, both set for Dec. 17. The first show starts at Amalie Arena at 3 p.m., followed by the second at 7:30. The tour itself kicks off Nov. 16 with more than 60 cities included.

Get the Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

The tour announcement comes only a few short months after the group’s founder, Paul O’Neill, died at the age of 61 in Tampa. O’Neill’s influence will be evident in the 2017 tour, arena officials promised in announcing the tour stop.

“Prior to his untimely passing, O'Neill worked tirelessly with his close-knit team preparing an exciting new take on ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ for the 2017 tour,” an email from Amalie Arena said.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra fans will find favorites included in the rock opera’s line up. The show features “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Canon” and other hits, the arena assured.

Fans used to some of their ticket costs benefitting charity will also not be let down.

“As in all previous years, a portion of every ticket sold benefits select local charities,” the arena’s email said. “To date, more than $13 million has been distributed from TSO to worthy charities all across North America.”

Tickets for the Tampa shows go on sale Friday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. at the arena’s McDonald’s Ticket Office and via Ticketmaster outlets. Phone orders may be placed by calling 800-745-3000. Ticket prices start at $32.25 and go up to $72.25. Prices do not include facility fees or parking.

Image courtesy of Amalie Arena/Trans-Siberian Orchestra taken by Jason McEachern