The Barra MacNeils' Celtic Christmas show still going strong after 25 years

The Barra MacNeils head home The Barra MacNeils make their way back to the Maritimes to cap-off their cross-country Christmas tour.

The Barra MacNeils' signature combination of Celtic music and Christmas cheer is synonymous with the holiday season in the Maritimes.

On Thursday night, the Barras' East Coast Christmas Tour was set to take the stage in Huntsville, Ont.

“It does get me in the mood. It gears me up for Christmas because we've been doing it for so long," said Boyd MacNeil, the youngest member of the Sydney Mines, N.S., family band.

The Barra MacNeils have been performing their holiday special across the country for nearly 25 years. The tradition began after the group released its first Christmas album in 1999.

Spending the days leading up to Christmas criss-crossing Canada and spending time together has become a tradition for the band, much the way their shows have become tradition for audience members.

"We used to do this tour - years ago - in two minivans, all across the country on all-season tires," Boyd MacNeil said.

Some audience members attend the show every year at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, N.S.

"The Barras’ shows is the kickoff to Christmas," said Savoy Theatre general manager Pam Leader. "They wait for Lucy (MacNeil) to sing ‘O Holy Night,’ and that is Christmas for them."

When the Ontario portion of their tour is over, the band will return home for a whirlwind finish in five different Maritime communities from Dec. 19 to 23.

"Can't wait to see everyone," Boyd MacNeil said. "A week from today, we're in Moncton and we start our Maritime leg of the tour, and we're pumped."

Other Maritime shows are set for Glace Bay, Charlottetown, Halifax and a sold-out finale in Pictou the night before Christmas Eve.