Philly Pops: Christmas Spectacular - 6abc Loves the Arts

Tis' the season to turn on the holiday tunes and The Philly Pops are getting set to bring some of those seasonal sounds to life. The Christmas Spectacular is one of the Pops most popular concerts of the year and it's become a staple of the holiday season here in Philadelphia.

Coming off the success of last year's show, conductor David Charles Abell is back by popular demand, leading the ensemble of 300 musicians.

"This a program of music, traditional, festive, holiday music that again everyone in the audience recognizes. It's a perfect program for young and old alike," says Pops Music Director Michael Krajewski, "it's just the best way to really get into the mood of the season, through all of this festive music."

Several area choirs will join the Pops to sing these iconic tunes, and of course, Santa Claus plans to make an appearance as well to help spread the holiday cheer.

"We're also going to be joined by Hugh Panaro, who is a Philadelphia native and Hugh has been the star of Phantom, of the Opera on Broadway for the past several years," says Krajewski, "and he can't wait to come home to Philadelphia and sing some holiday selections for his hometown crowd."

As always, the audience will get a chance to sing along. And while you can expect to hear some of your classic favorites from year's past, Krajewski says the musical selections have changed and every year the Pops put on a completely different show.

"We try to vary it to surprise people. We're trying to get the right mix between having things that people expect from year to year, hearing some of their favorite Christmas carols and every year introducing some new music as well."

The concert runs December 5th through the 20th at the Kimmel Center. For tickets and concert times, go to www.TheArtsinPhilly.org. Or you can visit 6abc.com/ lovesthearts for more on this and other area events.