Celebrating the holidays with Canadian jokesters Barenaked Ladies [ tickets ] is becoming just as much of a tradition as other annual tours such as Mannheim Steamroller and the Colors of Christmas.

But there are very few that can boast the blend of musicianship, deft humor and warmth offered by the Ladies, who wrapped up the U.S. leg of their "Barenaked for the Holidays Tour" at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit on Saturday (12/18). The band is touring in support of its new album, "Barenaked for the Holidays."

During typical performances, Barenaked Ladies twist everyday events such as shopping or sightseeing into ad-libbed, rap-influenced songs, complete with the human-beat-box skills of guitarist/vocalist Ed Robertson. For the holiday show, Robertson and singer Steven Page turned holiday themes, such as Page's Jewish heritage, into comedic songs while a faux fireplace prop crackled and popped in the background.

After a handful of songs by Macomb's Dakota High School choir, Barenaked Ladies strolled through a prop front door, led by keyboardist Kevin Hearn, whose father was in the audience. Joined by the choir, the band performed acoustic renditions of "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

The energy in the theater flagged a bit when the choir left the stage and the Ladies played perky, acoustic versions of "Upside Down" and "King of Bedside Manner," but things kicked up a notch after the road crew removed the risers on which the choir performed. Computerized drum beats introduced the opening lines to "Pinch Me," spurring the audience to applaud.

After the song, Robertson poked fun of holiday-shopping hell during the last weekend before Christmas.

"I ran out today to try to get some Christmas shopping down and it seems like everyone else had the same idea," Robertson said.

He added that store representatives downplayed the crowds.

"One woman said to me, 'Don't let the line scare you. There are two people ringing up today.'"

As usual, humor was the key to the Barenaked Ladies' show. During "It's All Been Done," Robertson delicately balanced a guitar pick on the head of a security guard in front of the stage. He mimicked the bouncer's response: "I'm getting paid to protect you tonight, but any other night I'll kill you for free." Later in the show, Robertson took the bouncer's hand and allowed him to play licks on his guitar during "Alcohol."

Page turned up his usual shenanigans to include Rockettes-like kicks to cymbal crashes as Robertson played guitar solos in "Too Little Too Late." When Page resumed singing, Robertson took it upon himself to antagonize fans sitting at stage left. "Maybe Katie" took on a decidedly boy-band feel with bassist Jim Creeggan and Robertson sporting choreographed moves with their instruments.

Aside from shtick-y holiday songs like "Green Christmas," Barenaked Ladies touched on traditional tunes such as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells" (although Page threw in the elementary school favorite, Batman-inspired lyrics). One of the most stunning performances of the night was the group's Pink Floyd-like take on "Carol of the Bells," complete with laser lights.

Barenaked Ladies tend to recall the same gimmicky escapades on each tour, but it never gets old.