Goodness Gracious It's Christmas! Tour: Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgreon River Boys - Winnipeg, MB

Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys turned the Park Theatre into a time capsule on December 22, 2025, delivering a joyous, toe-tapping night of classic country, bluegrass, and Christmas cheer as part of their Goodness Gracious It’s Christmas! Canadian Tour. With two generous sets and an encore—thirty-four songs in total—the Winnipeg stop felt less like a standard concert and more like a festive gathering where tradition, humour, and musicianship ruled the night.

From the moment the band walked out to the opening Intro, it was clear this wouldn’t be a rushed holiday affair. The first set unfolded with an easy confidence, rooted in the warm, front-porch storytelling spirit that has become Jake Vaadeland’s calling card. “The Bachelor’s Life” and “Farewell Blues” (a loving nod to Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs) immediately set the tone, showcasing the band’s tight harmonies and nimble instrumentation. There’s a comfort to the Sturgeon River Boys’ sound—upright bass lines that bounce just enough, banjo runs that sparkle without showboating, and acoustic and electric guitar interplay that feels both playful and precise.

One of the early highlights came with “More And More,” preceded by Vaadeland announcing the band is happy to add songs to the set if you write your request on a $100 bill and toss it onto the stage. Additionally, he then proceeded with band introductions that felt refreshingly sincere. Vaadeland’s rapport with his bandmates is a huge part of the show’s charm; nothing feels overly rehearsed or stiff, even when the musicianship is razor-sharp. That balance carried seamlessly into the sprawling Christmas medley—“The First Noel / It Came Upon the Midnight Clear / Joy to the World / O Come, All Ye Faithful / O Come, O Come, Emmanuel / Auld Lang Syne.” Rather than feeling crowded, the medley flowed naturally, blending reverence with warmth and inviting the audience into the spirit of the season.

Originals like “Be A Farmer Or A Preacher” and “Jake Vs Jake” injected humour and personality into the set, while bluegrass staples such as “Flint Hill Special” reminded everyone just how adept this band is at honouring the genre’s roots. Vaadeland’s vocals—clean, expressive, and timeless—never faltered, whether he was delivering quick-witted lines or leaning into something more tender like “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Even the novelty moments, including the “Diet Pepsi Jingle” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” landed with the right mix of charm and cheekiness, earning big laughs and bigger applause.

Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

After a brief twenty-minute intermission, the band returned energized, kicking off the second set with a lively “Run Rudolph Run.” The momentum never dipped. “Blue Christmas” and “Dear Old Dixie” added emotional depth, while “I Ain’t Going Back To Nashville” and “Bound to the Road” reinforced Vaadeland’s identity as an artist proudly rooted in tradition rather than trends. The crowd was fully locked in by the time “Jake Vs Jax” rolled around, another playful moment that underscored the band’s easy chemistry.

A hush fell over the Park Theatre during “Silent Night,” one of the evening’s most affecting performances. Stripped back and heartfelt, it offered a brief moment of reflection before the set ramped back up with crowd-pleasers like “The Greatest Showman Around” and “Wild Wild Woman.” By the time the band reached “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” and “Christmas Time’s A-Coming,” the room felt unified—smiling, clapping, and clearly grateful for a show that understood how to celebrate the holidays without slipping into cliché.

The encore sealed the night perfectly. “Lovebug” paid tribute to George Jones, “Retro Man” felt like a mission statement for Vaadeland’s old-soul approach, and “Blue Suede Shoes” sent everyone out the door buzzing, feet sore from dancing and spirits high.

In an era where holiday tours can sometimes feel rushed or gimmicky, Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys delivered something genuinely special in Winnipeg. Their Goodness Gracious It’s Christmas! stop at the Park Theatre wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder of the enduring joy found in classic songwriting, heartfelt performances, and a band that truly loves what they do. For anyone lucky enough to be in the room, it was the perfect soundtrack to the season.