Christmas is officially coming early this year.

It is for The Sleighriders, anyway.

The supergroup, which comprises top local and national musicians, traditionally performs a benefit concert at Shank Hall on the Monday before Christmas. This year, however, the event was moved to Dec. 15 in order to avoid competing with the Packers and Bears, who play the following week on "Monday Night Football."

Other than the earlier starting date, The Sleighriders won't alter what has been a successful concert / silent auction formula for the past 25 shows. Doors open at 7 p.m., the admission donation is $10 and proceeds from the show benefit the SafeZone Community Arts Center.

"SafeZone is an organization that offers free lessons, instruction and instruments to needy North Side kids," says Steve Grimm, who has been a fixture on the local music scene as a solo artist and member of Bad Boy.

"It's kind of at the heart of what we did when we were kids. We were wayward kids who needed that kind of help."

The roster of musicians includes drummer Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, Grimm's Bad Boy bandmate, Xeno, Eddie Butts, Steve Cohen, Warren Wiegratz, Greg Koch, Sigmund Snopek, Annie Dennison and representatives from Blue Hand, Crisis, Speakeasy, Dirty Ernie, The Boogie Men and a host of other local bands.

"It's the usual suspects," Grimm says. "I don't know if there is another place where you can see that kind of talent under one roof. It always blows my mind."

The Brandon James Band will open the show, which is for patrons 21 and over.

The vibe at The Sleighriders' show is always festive. Because it's rare for so many local musicians to be in the same place, it has the feel of a class reunion mixed with an all-star game.

"Every year, we have new people come in to play with us," Xeno says. "Every year, they call back and say 'I want to do it again.'"

The performing line-up changes throughout the night and the set list features Christmas standards mixed in with an array of rock, soul and blues songs delivered in a "wall of sound" fashion. Solos are impressive, but generally not excessive, and the players seem to have as much fun as the dancing spectators.

Xeno serves as the unofficial music director, but gets help charting songs for violins and horns. "There are a lot of bandleaders there," he notes, referring to a group with more than 1,000 combined years of performing experience. "It's not that hard."

The hard part is taking care of other logistical elements, like making sure everyone has the date clear, providing catering for the Sunday rehearsal and the show and keeping track of equipment for more than 30 performers.

"It's really time-consuming," Xeno says. "I ask myself every year, 'Why am I spending all this time all this effort? Then, we do the show and I say, 'Oh, now I remember.' It's always a great night."

Grimm agreed, and added a prediction.

"We're going to tear the roof off the sucker," he says.