OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino — Niagara Falls, ON | December 18, 2025
Last night, Arkells turned Niagara Falls into a full-blown holiday celebration with Sleigh the Night, a Christmas-themed concert that felt equal parts rock show, party, and heartfelt communal moment. From the second we walked into the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, it was clear this wasn’t just another tour stop — it was the beginning of something special.
The stage itself was dressed for the season, complete with Christmas trees, festive décor, and glowing lights that immediately set the tone. The band wasted no time leaning into the holiday spirit, opening the show with a huge fan favorite and their very first original Christmas song, “Pub Crawl.” It was the perfect way to kick off the night and instantly lock the crowd into the festive mood.
Throughout the show, the band made it clear this was something they hope becomes a tradition. Max Kerman mentioned a few times that this was the first annual Arkells Christmas show, joking that 30 years from now we’ll be telling our grandchildren we were there for the very first one. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, that future tradition already feels inevitable.
Adding to the holiday atmosphere, the band even passed out wrapped Christmas gifts to a few lucky fans during the show — a small but memorable touch that made the night feel even more personal.
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A Thoughtfully Curated Setlist
One of the biggest strengths of the night was just how well-crafted the setlist was. Arkells struck the perfect balance between longtime favorites and newer songs, keeping the energy high while still leaving room for emotional moments. The mix ensured that every type of fan in the room — from day-one supporters to newer listeners — felt fully included.
The set included:
• Pub Crawl
• Knocking at the Door
• What Good?
• Nowhere to Go
• John Lennon
• Michigan Left
• Money
• Relentless
The energy never dipped, and the transitions between songs felt effortless — a testament to a band that knows how to build and maintain momentum in a live setting.
Standout Moments
During “Past Life,” Max came way out into the crowd, walking down the aisles and completely breaking down the barrier between band and audience. At the end of the song, a fan handed him a beer, which he raised to cheers from the crowd before taking a sip — one of those perfectly unscripted moments that only happen at great live shows.
Another unforgettable highlight came with “And Then Some.” Max shared (paraphrasing) that about once a week for the past seven years, someone tells the band that “And Then Some” was their first dance at their wedding. He asked if any of those couples were in the crowd — and several were. The band had people make room in the pit, shined spotlights on the couples, and featured them on the big screens as they recreated their first dance. It was heartfelt, intimate, and a powerful reminder of how deeply Arkells’ music is woven into people’s lives.
Before launching into “11:11,” Max delivered his now-classic line:
“What time is it in Niagara Falls?”
The crowd answered in unison.
A Story That Stopped the Room
For many in the audience, the emotional centerpiece of the night came during “A Little More.” Before playing it, Max told a beautiful story about Anthony, the band’s piano player.
Anthony’s dad was a drummer in a band when Anthony was very young. When Anthony was around five years old, his dad noticed how drawn he was to a small Casio keyboard he had bought him — Anthony was playing it constantly. Wanting to support that passion, his dad made a life-changing sacrifice: he sold his drum set to buy his son a piano.
As Max said, “And now we have the best piano player in the country.”
It was one of the most genuine and moving moments of the night.
Live Debuts & Holiday Magic
The Christmas spirit carried on with:
• Years in the Making
• Come to Light
• Whistleblower
• My Heart’s Always Yours
A particularly special moment came with the live debut of their second original Christmas song, “The Last Christmas (We Ever Spend Apart).” Along with “Pub Crawl,” this marked the first time fans got to hear both of Arkells’ original Christmas songs performed live, making the night feel truly one-of-a-kind.
The holiday theme reached its peak with:
• Last Christmas (Wham! cover)
• Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (Bruce Springsteen cover)
During “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” a massive cannon blasted white confetti into the crowd, transforming the venue into a winter wonderland.
Encore
The encore kept the energy soaring:
• Quitting You
• 9 to 5 (Dolly Parton cover)
• You Can Get It
• Leather Jacket
Final Thoughts
Sleigh the Night was more than a concert — it was a celebration. From opening with “Pub Crawl” to debuting two original Christmas songs live for the very first time, Arkells created a night that felt festive, meaningful, and deeply connected to their fans. The thoughtfully balanced setlist, blending old favorites with newer gems, kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish.
If this truly was the first annual Arkells Christmas show, then it already feels like a tradition worth keeping. It was an incredible night and a genuinely great show — one I’ll be looking forward to every year.
This show review reflects a fan perspective and is not affiliated with the venue or artist.
Have you seen Arkells live before? Was Sleigh the Night your first show with them? Drop your favorite moment or song in the comments, or if you’re a subscriber and would rather reply directly, just hit reply to the email. I read every message.
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🎶 Full Setlist
(As performed)
1. Pub Crawl
2. Knocking at the Door
3. What Good?
4. Nowhere to Go
5. John Lennon
6. Michigan Left
7. Money
8. Relentless
9. Past Life
10. And Then Some
11. 11:11
12. A Little More
13. Years in the Making
14. Come to Light
15. Whistleblower
16. My Heart’s Always Yours
17. The Last Christmas (We Ever Spend Apart)
18. Last Christmas (Wham! cover)
19. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Encore:
20. Quitting You
21. 9 to 5 (Dolly Parton cover)
22. You Can Get It
23. Leather Jacket
Show Details
• Artist: Arkells
• Venue: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
• City: Niagara Falls, ON
• Date: December 18, 2025
Have you seen Arkells live before? Was Sleigh the Night your first show with them? Drop your favorite moment or song in the comments.
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