Written by: Jay Heilman (12/13/2025)
Date: December 3, 2025 Venue: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL
Of all the concerts I have attended over the last 25 years—spanning both Christian and secular genres—I can confidently say that for KING + COUNTRY puts on one of the most entertaining and downright spectacular shows of any artist I have ever seen live. Their stop in Orlando on December 3rd for “A Drummer Boy Christmas” was no exception.
This was my third time catching this specific Christmas tour, which is based on their popular 2020 holiday album, and it holds a special place in my heart. I last saw this tour in Tampa back in December 2022 with my then-girlfriend, Shannon. Fast forward to tonight, and Shannon is now my wife, making the evening a beautiful full-circle moment for us. This time, we made it a family affair, bringing along our daughters, Addison (8) and Kara (9).
The context of this show made it feel even more exclusive. The Smallbone brothers had taken almost all of 2025 off from touring, making this handful of Christmas dates a rare treat. Unlike the 2022 show in the arena, the Dr. Phillips Center offered a much more intimate setting. Yet, despite the smaller venue, the production lost none of its grandeur—it was still a huge, immersive spectacle.
The setlist was a masterclass in pacing, perfectly interweaving songs from the Christmas record with their biggest hits. They kicked off Set 1 with the atmospheric “In the Bleak Midwinter” before exploding into “Joy to the World.” The energy kept building with holiday staples like “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Angels We Have Heard on High,” mixed with their original Christmas tracks “Baby Boy” and “Glorious.”
What I enjoyed most was how they balanced the holiday spirit with their powerhouse anthems. Closing out the first set with a run of “Unsung Hero,” “Burn the Ships,” and “Together” had the whole room engaged.
Set 2 brought even more fire—literally and figuratively. Opening with “Amen” and “Fix My Eyes,” the band then launched into their latest single, “World on Fire.” This was a highlight for me; I had actually been in the audience for their debut live performance of this track at the GMA Dove Awards, and seeing it again in this setting was incredible. It’s a song that begs to be experienced live.
The night continued with a moving rendition of “The Proof of Your Love” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” before leading into the absolute climax of the evening: “The Little Drummer Boy.” The percussion work here is legendary, and my daughters were absolutely mesmerized. The night wrapped up with an encore of “Joy,” leaving us all on a high note.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing for KING + COUNTRY about a dozen times now—including recently in November 2024 on the Unsung Hero Tour where I even got to meet them. Although we didn’t get to meet up with Joel and Luke this time around, I had a special moment during intermission where I finally met their father, David Smallbone. I had the privilege of interviewing David on my podcast, Kingdom Builder, back in 2024 regarding the film Unsung Hero, so it was such a genuine pleasure to finally shake his hand and meet him in person.
It was a great evening of worship and an experience that video just can’t capture. If this tour comes near you, make plans to attend. It is well worth the price of admission for what is truly a world-class performance.
Check out pictures on Facebook here
Check out the Setlist here
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