The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Burns Red
This is a detailed guide for the 2025 Christmas Burns Red music festival, a two-night heavy metal event held in Lancaster, PA, and organized by August Burns Red (ABR). The event takes place on Friday, December 12th (featuring Currents, Invent Animate, and others) and Saturday, December 13th (featuring Animals as Leaders, Boundaries, and others), with ABR performing special sets celebrating the anniversaries of their albums Thrill Seeker and Found in Far Away Places. Check out the article for all of the details and logistics, as well as a map of local bars, restaurants, shopping, and more!
It’s that wonderful time of the year when August Burns Red blesses us with another Christmas show. From its humble beginnings as a one night Christmas show at the former Chameleon Club, it has grown into a 2-night Christmas extravaganza at Freedom Hall in the Lancaster Convention Center. As a proud Lancaster City resident, I've created this guide for everyone heading downtown for this incredible event. We want to highlight all of our amazing local restaurants, coffee shops and other things to do for when you’re not in the middle of a mosh pit!
Before we dive into this year’s face-melting festivities, here’s a brief history of the Christmas Burns Red of years past!
History of Christmas Burns Red
2024
Night One - ABR, The Devil Wears Prada, ERRA, Bodysnatcher, Deadlands, Hillhaven
Night Two - ABR, The Ghost Inside, Gideon, Boundaries, Orthodox, If Not For Me
15th Anniversary of Constellations
2023
Night One - ABR, Texas In July, Brand of Sacrifice, Spite, Crystal Lake, Once Nothing
Night Two - ABR, Between the Buried & Me, Kublai Khan, Galactic Empire, Signs of the Swarm, Kanoashi
2022
Night One - Solid State Night - ABR, Norma Jean, Silent Planet, Phinehas, Becoming the Archetype, Earth Groans
Night Two - ABR, ERRA, Shadow of Intent, Brand of Sacrifice, Invent Animate, Convictions
2021
ABR, Texas in July, Zao, Lorna Shore, Varials
2019
ABR, Miss May I, Like Moths to Flames, Currents, HAWK, Wither Away (local band)
2018
ABR, Asking Alexandria, Parkway Drive, Whitechapel, ERRA, Born of Osiris
Previous years were called the CI Christmas Show. Starting at the former Chameleon Club, a local legend in the Lancaster music scene, it moved to Freedom Hall at the Convention Center in 2013.
Christmas Burns Red 2025
This year’s Christmas Burns Red is an unforgettable two-night event, as well as a pre-party event on Thursday, December 11th!
Ticket info:
This year’s event is on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13. Doors open at 4 p.m. on both nights. Tickets are still available as of this writing with single night tickets at $82.40 and tickets for both nights at $158.45.
There are also 2-day VIP packages at $220.85. These packages include tickets to the event, access to the pre-party on Thursday Night, early entry, re-entry, VIP viewing area with exclusive restroom, commemorative CBR VI VIP badge, CBR VI enamel pin and a signed CBR VI festival poster.
There are also ticket + hotel packages for purchase. These start at $395/person which gets you a ticket to the event along with 2-3 night hotel stay and a limited edition candle. This is a custom-made exclusive, limited Christmas Burns Red 2025 candle. “The Frost” is named for the original Christmas song by August Burns Red. Burn “The Frost” throughout the Holiday Season as you recall the magical memory of Christmas Burns Red 2025! There are a limited number of hotels left in this package option. The price varies on whether you get a one night ticket or the 2-night ticket.
You can find more ticket and hotel information at www.christmasburnsred.com.
The Lineup
Night One kicks off on Friday, December 12 featuring:
August Burns Red - 9:15 PM
Currents - 8:05 PM
Invent Animate - 7:00 PM
The Callous Daoboys - 6:20 PM
No Cure - 5:40 PM
Psycho Frame - 5:00 PM
Night Two is on Saturday, December 13 featuring:
August Burns Red - 9:15 PM
Animals as Leaders - 8:05 PM
Boundaries - 7:00 PM
Left to Suffer - 6:20 PM
War of Ages - 5:40 PM
Rev3nent - 5:00 PM
The setlist for this event will highlight two major milestones for ABR: the 20th anniversary of Thrill Seeker and the 10th anniversary of Found in Far Away Places. Expect to hear five songs from each record!
Local Highlights
Beyond the event's details, you'll need to know about the local essentials! We've compiled a guide to help you make the most of your downtown experience, detailing the best dining and drinking spots, some fun activities, and of course parking. We're excited to feature an interactive map from local mapmaker, Wren & Finch Aerial Imagery and Maps, that guides you to all of the local options. This is not a comprehensive map of everything to do in the city, but it's a pretty robust collection of what's available and some truly excellent spots we recommend!
Thank you so much to Wren & Finch for this incredible guide to Lancaster City. Go check them out at wwww.wrenfinchmaps.com or their Etsy store for some cool geographical Christmas gifts!
Parking
There are plenty of parking garages located near the Convention Center. The most convenient is the Penn Square Garage, which has a walkway directly into the venue. Within a few blocks you can find the Steinman Parking Garage, East King Street Garage, Christian Street Garage, and Prince Street Garage. Parking is $5.00 after 5 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, perfect for CBR.
There is an open, free lot next to the Convention Center on W. Vine St, across from Southern Market. This fills up quickly, though! There’s another lot on W. King St, near Central Market. This is a paid lot.
Street Parking is available around the Convention Center and the city. The meters have a two-hour limit and cost $.25 for 6 minutes, however they are free after 6 PM. Please avoid parking on residential streets to be kind to the surrounding neighbors.
The Night of the Show
The key is to get to the venue early! Traffic can easily back up in the city. Also note that the Lancaster Santa Stumble is happening the same night, so that will increase vehicle and foot traffic!
Doors will open at 4 PM. In the past, the entrance for the venue was along Vine St, on the south side of the Convention Center. This year, that exit has been blocked by construction. The Convention Center has confirmed that all event entries will be at the Queen Street entrance. When you arrive, look for two lines: one designated for patrons 21 and older, and another for non-drinkers. If you want to drink, have your ID ready. Metal detectors will be in use. Please ensure you leave all knives, weapons, and prohibited items at home.
Bag Policy: The only bags allowed are a 12'“ x 12” x 6” clear plastic bag or a 5” x 8” x 1” clutch/wristlet purse. All bags will be searched and no other size of bag will be allowed. Official CBR clear plastic bags will be available for $10 if needed.
When you enter Freedom Hall, the band merch will be located towards the back of the room. If you are looking for a drink, they will have a section for the 21+ audience. However, prepare for long lines and high prices. I'd recommend grabbing a drink before the show. There are plenty of great bars nearby for pre-gaming! If you are going to drink, please be responsible about it. Pace yourself and utilize rideshares, which are available in the city if you’ve had too much. We want to make sure that everybody gets home safe!
Christmas Burns Red is an experience you won't forget, so most importantly, have fun! ABR will have the place decked out for the holidays. Feel free to come in your finest metal or Christmas gear. After all, nothing screams "Happy Holidays!" quite like some literal screaming. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year!
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, head over right now to www.christmasburnsred.com to grab them!
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