Concerts

Feel the joy as the Boston Pops return for the holiday season

New this year, there will be three post-Christmas screenings of "Home Alone" in concert.

The Holiday Pops returns this season performing all the annual favorites and a new post-Christmas movie screening concert. BSO Press Office

By Lindsay Shachnow

2 minutes to read

One of New England’s most iconic holiday traditions, the Holiday Pops led by Keith Lockhart, will return to Symphony Hall this December.

The program has all the annual holiday favorites — “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” David Chase’s arrangement of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” and a new arrangement of “Jingle Bells” by composer Mason Bynes.

“Holiday Pops has become one of Boston’s most enduring traditions, a yearly occasion for families and friends to share in music and mirth,” the Boston Pops said in a statement. “We can’t wait to welcome all our Pops friends and family back to Symphony Hall this December.”

The show will also centerpiece a new work featuring the Tanglewood Festival Chorus by local composer David Coleman, based on Ashley Bryan’s book “Carol of the Brown King” and the poems of Langston Hughes.

Those familiar with the performance say Santa Claus will also be making an appearance.

New this year, there will be three post-Christmas screenings of the movie “Home Alone” in concert.

Tickets go on sale on Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at bostonpops.org, by calling 888-266-1200, or by visiting the Symphony Hall Box Office.

Special Holiday Pops Performances

Seven Kids’ Matinees (Dec. 8, 14–15, and 21–24 at 11 a.m.): Designed for younger children, these seven shows have shorter programs with no intermission. There will be a food selection with “special holiday treats” and time for photo-ops with Santa Claus. Tickets are free for children under age 2.
A Sensory-Friendly Concert (Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m.): Designed for people with an autism spectrum disorder or sensory sensitivity, this show has a “more relaxed atmosphere.” Volume and lighting levels will be reduced and audience members can request noise-reduction headphones. Tickets start at $33.
A Company Celebration at Pops (Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.): This annual Holiday Pops gala performance celebrates the partnership between the corporate community and the BSO.

Performances throughout New England

Hanover Theater in Worcester, Mass. (Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.)
The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts in Storrs, Conn. (Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.)
Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, N.H. (Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.)
The Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Mass. (Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m.)

Tickets to performances outside Boston are on sale now through their venues.

Post-Christmas Programs:

“Home Alone” in Concert (Dec. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 29 at 3 p.m.): The classic film features composer John Williams’ score performed live to picture by the Lockhart and the Pops.