Holiday jams with Laurie Berkner: Jingles all the way!

Laurie Berkner remains at the forefront of the kids music scene. And she’s ready to share some holiday cheer with her fans — as only she can. Everyone will have a jolly good time when Berkner visits Long Island to ring in the holidays, next Sunday, Dec. 17, on The Paramount stage.

“I’m so excited to be heading back to The Paramount,” Berkner enthuses. “I love playing there, and the energy in the room is always so high and will be filled with the joy of the season.”

Her upcoming show is one of her first live performances of tunes from her newest holiday album ”Another Laurie Berkner Christmas.” She’ll sing “I Live Inside a Snowglobe (Shake It Up)” and other new songs, along with such classic favorites as “Deck the Halls” and “Holly Jolly Christmas.”

The rest of the program features traditional and original holiday songs that fans know and love, including “Jingle Bells,” “Candy Cane Jane” and “The Dreidel Song.” Of, course, a Laurie Berkner concert always includes an array of her greatest hits, such as “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “Waiting for the Elevator,” and she’ll deliver. Plus, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her album, “Buzz Buzz,” she’ll sing the title track to that as well that family favorite, “Pig on Her Head.”

Berkner has delighted families for more than 25 years with her creative and catchy tunes. With 15 albums — and more on the way — she proudly retains her title as the “Queen of Kindie Rock.”

The first recording artist to perform in music videos on Nick Jr., her original songs, music videos, books (along three original off-Broadway musicals) are seemingly everywhere — including NBCUniversal’s “Sprout House,” and the Laurie Berkner Band’s YouTube channel.

Being inspired by kids made for an “easy” transition from her rock band days, according to Berkner, also a former preschool music teacher. She pivoted to her full-time career as a children’s performer when she saw the impact her “kindie” songs had not only on kids, but the parents, too.

“I had this moment of like, this is what I want to do with my life. That’s how I want to spend it.”

Berkner still channels her rocker’s passion to all she does.

“I bring that rock sensibility to my shows and in my songs,” she says.

She encourages her audience to rock out with her, moving their bodies, all the while with plenty of laughter.

She attributes her success to listening to kids and being reminded of what she liked when she was younger.

“’Pig on Her Head’ I wrote because I taught music at day care. When I walked in one day and we were about to start, one kid, Marco, looked at me and then put a toy pig on his head. I could have been a disciplinarian, but instead, I started singing ‘Marco has a pig on his head.’ Then all the kids grabbed toy animals and put them on their heads, and I started singing to all of them.”
Berkner went on to record the song, now a concert staple.

“It’s turned into this big, physical interactive element in my shows,” she adds.

Not only are “animals on heads,” but they’re also in everyone’s hearts. One dollar of each ticket sold will be donated to Little Shelter Animal Rescue.

For families who can’t snag concert tickets, be sure to enjoy some holiday magic at home. Berkner’s latest YouTube Christmas special features many of her holiday songs. She also releases a free show about once a month on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. In the new year, there may also be some new music to keep a lookout for.

“I’m always recording some new music,” Berkner hints.

A sequel for the musical “Interstellar Cinderella” — one of Berkner’s theatre projects — is in the works as well.

Her goal remains strengthening those family connections.

“I think it’s hard when you’re parents — or even kids — trying to get kids to do things,” she says. “It’s not easy for them, especially if you are working, or have more than one child.”

She strives to make her 75-minute shows a time of togetherness.

“I want this to be a space where a whole family can come and parents can relax and enjoy the music while the kids feel totally engaged and want to be there,” she said..”They leave with that happy positive memory together.”

As always, Berkner instructs her fans (reminder really not needed) to “bring your dancing shoes and a stuffed animal for your head.” Get ready to join in the holiday spirit and sing along.