December is usually a busy time in the world of live music. Right about now, most of us are normally scrambling to find tickets to New Year’s shows, figuring out our late-night schedules, or connecting with friends to make plans for the year’s final hurrah. This year, of course, is a little different.
With virtually no real concerts going on, you may be wondering what to get for the person in your life who usually asks for concert tickets for the holidays. Similarly, the bands, venues, artists, vendors, and the like who you’d normally patronize this time of year are hurting for the lack of business.
So, how can you bridge that gap? Most bands and venues are offering limited edition merchandise and incentives this holiday season. If there’s a band, a room, or an artist you love, head to their website and shop their offerings. Not spending your typical $30 to see your favorite band perform? Show them some love and spend it on merch or purchase their music on Bandcamp. Longing for Shakedown Street? Support your favorite lot vendors via their online shops. Missing your favorite venue? Head to their website and see what they’re selling to make sure their doors remain open once it’s safe to return.
Below, we’ve taken the liberty of highlighting some of our favorite gift items available this holiday season for the music-lover in your life. While you’re at it, grab yourself something nice, too. It’s been a rough year. You deserve it.
Custom-Engraved Tile At The Cap [Buy Here]
From: The Capitol Theatre
What’s good: Leave your mark on the venue’s entryway and help keep the famous theater alive through the pandemic.
Save Our Stages Merch [Buy Here]
From: National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)
What’s good: Live music will be back eventually. NIVA is hard at work making sure there are still places to enjoy it when the time comes.
Grateful Dead Jigsaw Puzzle [Buy Here]
From: Bottleneck Art Gallery
What’s good: A perfect gift for the quarantined Deadhead in your life.
I Miss Hugs And Live Music T-Shirt [Buy Here]
From: Musicians Corner
What’s Good: There are two things we miss the most—hugging friends and family and gathering together for live music.
Nugs.net Discounted Annual Subscription [Buy Now]
From: Nugs.net & Sweet Relief
What’s Good: In partnership with Sweet Relief, Nugs.net is offering an annual streaming subscription at $50 (normally $129.99). Each new subscription will trigger a $5 donation toward Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Musicians Fund, which provides aid to help ease the enormous medical and financial toll that COVID-19 has taken on the music community.
Custom-Engraved Maple Leaf Bar Brick [Buy Here]
From: Maple Leaf Bar
What’s Good: Become immortalized with an engraved brick in the courtyard of New Orleans’ famed Maple Leaf Bar!
Live For Live Music Limited Edition Merch [Buy Here]
From: Live For Live Music
What’s Good: Do you live for live music? We do, too. Even as live shows remain on hold, you can rep your favorite pastime with our new limited edition beanie and tie-dye unisex hoodie.
Relix Art Gallery Fine Art Photo Prints [Buy Here]
From: Relix Art Gallery
What’s Good: Your wall would look much better with a photo print of your favorite concert by one of these many amazing photographers hanging on it.
Tipitina’s Merchandise [Buy Here]
From: Tipitina’s Uptown
What’s Good: Help this legendary NOLA venue stay afloat and wear the Big Easy on your back while you do it.
Grateful Dead x Spiritual Gangster Clothing Collection [Buy Here]
From: Spiritual Gangster
What’s Good: One more Saturday night at home? May as well look fresh on your couch.
Peloton Apparel x Grateful Dead Collection [Buy Here]
From: Peloton Apparel
What’s Good: Whether you’re running for the roses, or just to lose some of that lockdown weight…
Sec. 119 Donut Holiday Collection [Buy Here]
From: Sec. 119
What’s Good: This Sec. 119 doesn’t have spicy chicken sandwiches, but it does have some sweet donut gear.
Trixy Starr x Grateful Dead Collection [Buy Here]
From: Trixy Starr
What’s Good: He went to JRAD!
Syd Barrett Book ‘The Definitive Visual Companion’ [Buy Here]
From: Rocket 88 Books
What’s Good: The only official book about Syd Barrett, ‘The Definitive Visual Companion’ boasts over 350 images from throughout the Pink Floyd co-founder’s life and career as well as all of his visual artwork.
Phunky Boho Collection [Buy Here]
From: Phunky Boho
What’s Good: Make sure that the next time anyone sees her, she’s got new fancy clothes.
Phish Warm Hats & Beanies [Buy Here]
From: Phish Dry Goods Official Store
What’s Good: Seven below? No problem.
Grateful Sweats [Buy Here]
From: Grateful Sweats
What’s Good: Gratefully comfy.
Rare Sounds Vinyl Club Subscription [Buy Here]
From: Rare Sounds
What’s Good: Turn up the funk this holiday season! Curated by The New Mastersounds‘ Eddie Roberts, this vinyl subscription tells the story of the funk & soul revival from the mid-’90s to the present day. The first box includes the debut albums by The New Mastersounds, Sharon Jones, and The Greyboy Allstars.
Custom Chuck Taylors [Buy Here (PPPP) and Here (KD)]
From: Kitchen Dwellers, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
What’s Good: Custom Chucks designed by Twin Home Prints for Kitchen Dwellers (left) and by Josh Levy and the Asheville Art Family for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (right).
The String Cheese Incident Puzzle [Buy Here]
From: The String Cheese Incident Official Online Merch Store
What’s Good: Created from a vibrant behind-the-stage photo at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, spend your wintery days building this 1000-piece puzzle.
 RAD + REFINED Sunglasses [Buy Here]
From: RAD + REFINED
What’s Good: Be out in the sun in style with these funky, fresh shades. 
Good Vibes Grams Virtual Telegrams [Buy Here]
From: Good Vibes Grams
What’s Good: If wishing your friend a happy holiday is good, then getting their favorite artist to wish them a happy holiday is better—and there are tons of great artists to pick from on Good Vibes Grams.
Rocks Off Coloring Book [Buy Here]
From: Rocks Off
What’s Good: The World’s Most Dangerous Coloring Book from our friends at Rocks Off, featuring 36 pages of original and exclusive images from John John Jesse, Danny Hellman, Dave Hill, Luke Wessman, Rodrigo Canteras, Bad News Becca, members of the Bouncing Souls, The Bronx, The Aquabats, The Black Halos and more.
Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom Merch [Buy Here]
From: Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
What’s Good:Â Wear your Denver music scene pride on your chest and support this beloved independent venue in the process.
Phish Donut Print Yoga Mat Straps [Buy Here]
From: Faceplant Into Yoga
What’s Good: Bag it, tag it, roll it up, and carry it around with this stylish donut yoga mat strap.
Handwoven Phish Donut Beaded Hat Band [Buy Here]
From: Cadillac Rainbow Shop
What’s Good: Turn any hat into a Phish party hat with this custom-made hat band.
Ghost Of Paul Revere Holiday Merch [Buy Here]
From: The Ghost Of Paul Revere
What’s Good: Spend the holidays in style with some new Ghost Of Paul Revere holiday merch items!
Sea of Love Phish Donut Pillow [Buy Here]
From: SeamStichandPress
What’s Good: You won’t want to get up after you lay down on this Sea Of Love pillow.
Papadosio Holidosio Merch [Buy Here]
From: Papadosio
What’s Good: Papadosio’s got some great holiday-themed merch on deck.
Metal Donut Phrame [Buy Here]
From: Phrames Etc.
What’s Good: Phishy license plate frames, stickers, hats, water bottles, and more.
Conscious Alliance Merch [Buy Here]
From: Conscious Alliance
What’s Good: Help Conscious Alliance feed families in need this holiday season—all their posters are 20% off!
Happy holidays from our family to yours!