Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
- From 6:30 PM
Darlene Love’s Christmas Show at Count Basie in Red Bank, Dec. 23, 2026
For nearly three decades, Darlene Love sang “Christmas Baby (Please Come Home)” each holiday season on The Late Show with David Letterman, accompanied by Paul Shaffer and the CBS Symphony Orchestra. Her Dec. 23, 2026, performance at Red Bank’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre continues that seasonal tradition. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the show begins at 7:30.
A holiday broadcast tradition, carried on in concert
The Count Basie Center describes the Red Bank date as one of Love’s special Christmas shows, a tradition she continues each year. The television performances provide a useful frame for the booking: they connect Love with a holiday song and an annual live appearance, without establishing what she will sing on this particular night.
The venue lists “Christmas Baby (Please Come Home)” among Love’s Billboard hits and identifies it as a No. 1 holiday classic. Its annual run on The Late Show lasted about 29 years, ending when David Letterman retired.
Further reading: Darlene Love - Count Basie Center for the Arts ↗
From the Blossoms to a No. 1 hit
Love’s career includes group work, backing vocals and solo hits. While in high school, she joined the Blossoms, who worked with producer Phil Spector. The group contributed vocals to recordings including “Be My Baby,” “Monster Mash” and Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life.” Love also worked as a singer for Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.
Her listed Billboard hits include “He’s a Rebel,” “The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “Wait ’Til My Bobby Gets Home” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love.” “He’s a Rebel” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That range of work offers a broader introduction to Love than the seasonal booking alone.
Further reading: Darlene Love Tickets, Tour Dates & Concerts 2027 & 2026 – Songkick ↗ · Darlene Love - Count Basie Center for the Arts ↗
Rock Hall and film recognition
Bette Midler inducted Love into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. At the ceremony, Love performed “He’s a Rebel” with Midler and sang “He’s a Fine, Fine Boy” with Bruce Springsteen backing her.
Love also accepted the Academy Award on behalf of the performers in the documentary “Twenty Feet from Stardom.” The film’s soundtrack later received a Grammy.
Further reading: Darlene Love - Count Basie Center for the Arts ↗
The confirmed booking
The Count Basie Center listing names Darlene Love; it does not identify a supporting act.
2026-12-23 · Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
- Darlene Love
Plan for the evening
Doors and showtime
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; showtime is 7:30 p.m. No end time has been announced.
Price, purchasing and box office
The event listing does not state a ticket price. Check the linked Ticketmaster listing for current prices and seat options. The venue says its ticket sales are final and nonrefundable, though ticket holders may pass their tickets to another person.
The Count Basie Center says it can guarantee ticket authenticity only for purchases through Ticketmaster, its box office, its website or its charge-by-phone service at 732-842-9000; it discourages purchases from third-party broker sites. For box-office purchases, paper tickets for Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre can be requested in person, by phone or by mail.
Regular box-office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, noon–5 p.m. The box office is closed Sunday and Monday.
Darlene Love - Count Basie Center for the Arts ↗ · Count Basie Center for the Arts - Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Tickets for every patron
The venue requires a ticket for every patron, regardless of age. No event-specific age restriction is stated.
Count Basie Center for the Arts - Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Entrance, levels and accessible seating
For Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, the main entrance has an automatic push-button door at the far-left entrance. Street-level ramps are available in the Stillwell Larkin Pavilion Lobby and the historic lobby. The lobby and orchestra level are wheelchair accessible; the historic loge and balcony levels are not. An elevator at the back of the Grand Lobby serves the second-floor bathrooms and balcony.
Accessible seating is in the orchestra: rows A, Q and DD on both the right and left sides, plus elevated rear platform row AA′. Each accessible seat has space for a companion. Contact the box office to reserve accessible seating.
Wheelchair-accessible restroom stalls are in the Grand Lobby outside the historic theatre lobby and in the upstairs lobby near the elevator. A downstairs single-stall bathroom with an automatic door is in the historic theatre lobby near the rear staircase.
Getting to Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
Destination, train and roads
The performance is at Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701. NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coastline serves Red Bank directly; the station is about three blocks west of the Basie Center.
The venue lists the Garden State Parkway and Routes 18, 35, 36 and 520 among the road approaches. Its map link can chart directions to the theatre from your starting point.
Darlene Love - Count Basie Center for the Arts ↗ · Directions and Parking - Count Basie Center for the Arts ↗
Parking
The venue FAQ says accessible public street parking is available throughout Red Bank and directs visitors to current parking information. It does not specify rates or availability for this performance.
Count Basie Center for the Arts - Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Before you make a plan
When do doors open, and when does the show start?
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026. No end time is announced.
Has a setlist been announced?
No. The venue has not published a song list, so Love’s holiday performances and recording credits are context rather than a confirmed Red Bank setlist.
Do children need tickets?
Yes. The Count Basie Center requires a ticket for every patron, regardless of age.
Count Basie Center for the Arts - Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Where is accessible seating?
Accessible seating is in the orchestra rows A, Q and DD on both sides, plus elevated rear platform row AA′. Contact the box office to reserve it.
Can I take the train?
Yes. NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coastline serves Red Bank, and the station is about three blocks west of the Basie Center.
Can I bring food or drinks into the theatre?
No. The Count Basie Center does not allow outside food or beverages; concessions are available inside.
Count Basie Center for the Arts - Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Location & Google Maps
Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.