Paul Dempsey Announces 2026 'Christmas Karaoke' Australian Tour Dates

Paul Dempsey is expected to showcase a bunch of fresh additions to his ever-evolving 'Shotgun Karaoke' setlist, including a Christmas classic or two.

Paul Dempsey

Paul Dempsey is bringing a festive energy to venues across the country in December, today announcing a run of Christmas Karaoke shows.

The announcement arrives following Dempsey’s wildly successful Shotgun Karaoke tours – both in capital cities and regional locations – over the past year. Now, the Something for Kate frontman and wildly talented solo artist in his own right has confirmed four exclusive encore shows to close the year.

The Christmas Karaoke run begins at Sydney’s City Recital Hall on Friday, 4 December. It continues at Adelaide’s The Gov on Friday, 11 December, Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Saturday, 12 December, and concludes at Melbourne’s Forum on Saturday, 19 December.

A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to organisations that support people experiencing homelessness, including the Wayside Chapel in Sydney, Sacred Heart Mission in Melbourne, Catherine House in Adelaide, and Emmanuel City Mission in Brisbane.

Pre-sale tickets will be available on Thursday, 10 September, at 12 pm local time, followed by the general sale on Friday, 11 September, at 12 pm local time. Sign up for pre-sale tickets and find more information on Paul Dempsey’s website.

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Joining Dempsey on the tour is special guest Jess Hitchcock. Renowned for her blend of pop, country, folk and opera, her unique musical style and evocative storytelling have secured her as one of Australia’s finest songwriters, as well as a spot in Paul Kelly’s band.

Dempsey is expected to showcase a bunch of fresh additions to his ever-evolving Shotgun Karaoke setlist, including a Christmas classic or two.

“I’ve been having such a blast doing these Shotgun Karaoke shows; the atmosphere at every show has just been pure joy, with everyone singing along and getting right into it,” Dempsey commented in a statement.

He continued, “I’m looking forward to some festive good times with this last handful of shows and then getting back to my own writing and a new Something for Kate album in the works.”

Last year’s release of Dempsey’s Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II saw him embark on a huge, sold-out metropolitan tour, followed by a regional run.

The album contains covers of tunes originally recorded by Cher (If I Could Turn Back Time), Don Henley (Boys of Summer), R.E.M. (Losing My Religion), Patti Smith (Because the Night), Max Q (Way of the World), and more.

Reviewing Dempsey’s recent show at Frankston’s Pier Bandroom, The Music’s Christopher Lewis declared: “Shotgun Karaoke is the best low-stakes gig you’ll see this year. And that’s most of its charm. It’s someone with nothing left to prove in this industry, having a fucking great time.”

Concluding the review, Lewis wrote, “No one in this country does this better than him.”

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