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From the Philly POPS:

Philly’s favorite holiday tradition — KeyBank presents A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season — returns to the Kimmel Center stage with eleven performances Dec. 1-19.

POPS Music Director Michael Krajewski will conduct an all-new, festive musical program, featuring the 65-piece POPS orchestra, Philly’s own guest vocalist Justin Hopkins, Macy’s organist Peter Richard Conte, the Philly POPS Festival Chorus, the Philadelphia Boys Choir and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir. Santa is also expected to arrive with gifts and song.

“A Philly POPS Christmas has become a tradition for Philadelphia families,” said Frank Giordano, Philly POPS President and CEO. “We kick off the holiday season for over 20,000 people annually – and we’ll entertain even more with the addition of an extra show this year.”

The POPS ushers in holiday cheer before and after each concert with lobby entertainment, including Santa and Mrs. Claus and strolling Victorian Carolers.

The event is made possible by Presenting Sponsor KeyBank.

Musical highlights from the show include:

  • Joy to the World
  • The Grinch Medley
  • Angels We Have Heard on High
  • Deck the Halls
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  • Sleigh Ride
  • It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Performance schedule:

Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. (pre-concert entertainment: Calli Graver)
Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec.9 at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. (pre-concert entertainment: Clearview Middle School Choir and Andrew Jackson Elementary’s Home Rock Band)
Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $38-162 and available for purchase online.

About Guest Vocalist Justin Hopkins

Philadelphia native Justin Hopkins is establishing himself as one of the most sought-after and versatile artists on the scene today. Equally comfortable in operatic, concert, pops, and musical theater repertoire, he has been featured in such concert halls and theaters as Carnegie Hall, Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie, Brussels; Symphony Hall, Boston, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, Koerner Hall, Toronto. He has been a guest soloist with the Philly POPS, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Pops, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Verbier Festival Orchestra, Leipzig Radio Symphony, and Grand Rapids Symphony Pops.

Hopkins made his debut with the Philly POPS in 2016 for POPS On Independence at Independence Mall.  Born and raised in Philadelphia, Justin Hopkins was a member of the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale from 1993-2002. He attended St. Joseph’s Prep where he was a member of the Cape and Sword Drama Society. He has sung for numerous dignitaries and heads of state, including a command solo performance for the Dalai Lama in 2010. He took second place in the 2012 Lotte Lenya Competition.

Christmas Choir Competition

For the last eight years, the Philly POPS has partnered with 101.1 More FM’s Christmas Choir Competition that offers local children the chance of a lifetime: a performance live on stage during a Philly POPS show. All school choirs in the Philadelphia eight-county area are eligible to compete. The winning choir in each division (kindergarten through 8th grade and 9th through 12th grade) will perform with the Philly POPS on Dec. 6 and 13, respectively.