For many fans, guitarist Ed Gerhard’s annual Christmas Guitar Concert has become as much a part of the holiday season as spiked eggnog.

Now in their 27th year, the shows take place on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19, at South Church in Portsmouth.

Gerhard is a Grammy Award-winning acoustic guitarist and long-time New Hampshire resident living in Strafford. Skilled on six-string, 12-string, slide guitar and Hawaiian lap steel, he has been touring the nation and world for years. Among his recordings are two holiday albums, “Christmas” and “On a Cold Winter’s Night.” His upcoming Christmas concerts will include arrangements of traditional carols and original songs.

The shows will include a food drive for the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Guests who donate a non-perishable food item will receive a $1-off coupon for Gerhard’s CDs. In addition, a portion of proceeds from the concerts will benefit the Artists’ Collaborative Theatre of New England.

The shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 19 at South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $24 in advance or $26 at the door, available online at www.edgerhard.com.