Philly Pops: Christmas Spectacular - 6abc Loves the Arts

November 20, 2015 (WPVI) -- Christmas is just a little more than a month away and that means it's almost time for the Philly Pops annual Christmas concert at the Kimmel Center.

When the Pops are putting on the show, the fun starts before you even enter Verizon Hall.

"We have carolers in the lobby before the show begins, and we have Mr. and Mrs. Claus," says Philly Pops President Frank Giordano.

This is the Pops 37th season, but each year, Giordano says, they create a fresh holiday show.

"We have new songs; we bring in a new guest artist."

The guest singer, this year, is Broadway's Lisa Vroman, who will join 300 musicians on stage.

"We have the Philadelphia Boys Choir. We have the St. Thomas Episcopal Gospel Choir. We have the Pops Festival Chorus," says Giordano, who adds that the audience becomes part of the show in a special sing-along, "You know everyone wants to sing Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells."

The concert will be led by Philadelphia native David Charles Abell, a conductor who's conquered radio, television and the stage.

"This is his 3rd year. The orchestra is in love with him. The audience loves him. He does a great job," says Giordano who promises the show has a little something for everyone, "We'll have traditional Christmas carols. We'll have some Gospel music and, as David Charles Abell will say, it will blow the roof off the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall."

The Pops Christmas Spectacular opens December 4th with a special concert for military and first-responders only. The concert series continues through December 22nd.

For tickets, go to www.TheArtsInPhilly.org.