Open To The World '26: Christmas with Ringmasters
The world’s leading barbershop ensemble, Ringmasters, returns to OTTW ’26 with a brand-new holiday programme. Expect impeccably blended chords, flawless harmony, sleek choreography, and an infectious energy that creates an unforgettable show.
As part of its flagship Open To The World festival, ISM Bel Canto Choir Vilnius presents a unique content and concert experience. On December 19, 2026, the festival welcomes back Ringmasters, the world’s leading barbershop vocal ensemble, returning to festive Vilnius with a new Christmas programme. This will be one of the musical highlights of the season: an intimate yet uplifting evening filled with beautiful music, remarkable musicianship, and Christmas spirit.
More Light and Passion for a Northern Christmas
The holidays carry a distinct magic in the Nordic and Baltic regions. Long winters and dark days have shaped a profound tradition of holiday music. In Sweden, this musical heritage remains a cornerstone of the season.
Ringmasters effortlessly blend classical foundations, contemporary repertoire, barbershop harmony, and popular hits. Their diverse programs span from traditional barbershop classics and Swedish choral pieces to beloved tracks by Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, and Elvis Presley.
The Swedish quartet is celebrated for more than just its perfectly balanced sound and brilliant harmonies. They bring a natural stage presence, elegant choreography, warmth, and humor to the spotlight. It is a performance that offers a fresh, vibrant perspective on familiar holiday music while capturing the cozy essence of the season.
Among the World’s Finest Vocal Ensembles
The members of Ringmasters originally trained as classical singers at Stockholm’s most prestigious music institutions. However, in 2006, a chance encounter with barbershop music on an episode of The Simpsons sparked a brand-new musical journey. They decided that singing in Sweden’s best choirs was no longer enough.
It took six years of intense work before the quartet was recognized as the best barbershop ensemble in the world. Ringmasters became the first non-American group to win the world's most prestigious competition in this genre, organized by the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Exclusive Content and Concert Experience in Festive Vilnius
The Ringmasters' Christmas programme will be performed in Vilnius for the very first time. Due to the acoustics of St. Catherine's Church, which are ideal for this type of performance, the ensemble's vocalists decided to enrich the programme with instrumental improvisations and brand-new arrangements. Thus, the festive Ringmasters programme is reborn here – bold, warm, and unforgettable.
This is an experience that will stay with you throughout the holiday season.
Kūrybinė ir techninė komanda
Producers – Rasmus Krigström, Audrius Valatkevičius
Sound – Žygimantas Vosylius | NGR
Production & Lighting Design – Martynas Vaitkevičius, Paulius Varonenka | Delegatai & FadersUp.Live
Open To The World 2026
ISM Bel Canto Choir Vilnius’ flagship Open To The World festival is a unique vocal‑choir music project in Lithuania that has become a cherished tradition. It showcases modern content and the world’s finest choirs, vocal ensembles, and composers. The festival promotes cultural and choral innovation and fosters cooperation between Lithuanian and international musicians. It also serves as a platform to nurture Western culture, create, innovate, and grow together.
Born in 2018, this year’s festival features five concerts bringing together over 270 singers and musicians. Headliners and participants include two‑time Grammy‑winning composer and conductor Christopher Tin (USA); alternative, indie, and country artist and former Pentatonix vocalist Avi Kaplan (USA); the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra; choirs Zero8, A Scalpella (Sweden), and Liepaitės; vocal ensembles Les Itinérantes (France) and Ringmasters (Sweden); and soloists Jamal Moore, Peter Drackley (USA), Kseniya Bakhritdinova (Ukraine), Blake Morgan (UK), and others.
The festival is sponsored by engineering, prefab, and construction company INHUS; property developer Vastint Lithuania; the largest logistics property developer in the Baltics, SIRIN Development; and Vilnius City Municipality. LRT TV is the information partner, and Ogilvy is the advertising partner.
Important information
Ticket prices are listed together with service fees. Read more about possible service fees.
Event length: ~1:20
Breaks: no breaks
Event language: lithuanian
Free entrance to the event: no free entrance
Age limit to the event: no age limit
Discounts: no discounts
The event organiser takes responsibility for the event and its quality. In the event of cancellation or postponement of the event, the organiser is responsible for deciding on the return of tickets and refunds and is liable for refunds and damages. Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable (including non-attendance). The ticket distributor is acting only as an independent agent and is not liable for refunds or damages. Refunds must be requested from the event organiser. For more information on ticket refunds, please refer to the "Consumer Policy" here.
If discounts are applied to the event, they apply only to the ticket price and do not apply to additional fees.