2026 Holiday Pops
The Cape Ann Symphony’s 2026 Holiday Pops is a family-friendly orchestral celebration led by Music Director and conductor Yoichi Udagawa, with the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus directed by Brittany Betts. The program combines Christmas classics, Chanukah music, selections from Tchaikovsky’s *The Nutcracker*, and choral favorites, concluding with a holiday sing-along for the entire audience.
The concert includes Leroy Anderson’s *Christmas Festival*, Alfred Reed’s setting of *Greensleeves*, Don Sebesky’s *A Christmas Scherzo*, Calvin Custer’s *Chanukah Festival*, and Tchaikovsky’s *Nutcracker Selections*, including the Trepak, Waltz of the Flowers, and character dances. The chorus performs *Masters in the Hall*, Vince Guaraldi’s *Christmas Time Is Here*, *Sing Noel*, Harnick and Shire’s *Everlasting Light*, and Craig Courtney’s comic *A Musicological Journey Through the 12 Days of Christmas*. The program also features *Tzadik Katamar Yifrach* and ends with a Christmas sing-along.
When: November 28–29, 2026
Showtimes: Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dolan Performing Arts Center in Ipswich; Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Manchester Essex Regional High School in Manchester-by-the-Sea; and Sunday, November 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Manchester Essex Regional High School
Run time: Approximately 90 minutes
Venue: Dolan Performing Arts Center, 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA 01938; Manchester Essex Regional High School, 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
Conductor: Yoichi Udagawa, Cape Ann Symphony Music Director
Chorus: Cape Ann Symphony Chorus, directed by Brittany Betts
Featured artist: Brittany Betts is a Rockport native and the chorus’s director, succeeding her mother, Wendy Betts, who led the ensemble for 16 seasons. Betts made her Cape Ann Symphony debut conducting the chorus during the Holiday Pops concerts and welcomes singers from the community to participate in the chorus.
Program: Leroy Anderson, *Christmas Festival*; Alfred Reed, *Greensleeves*; Don Sebesky, *A Christmas Scherzo*; Calvin Custer, *Chanukah Festival*; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, *Nutcracker Selections*; Mark Hayes, *Masters in the Hall*; Vince Guaraldi, *Christmas Time Is Here*, arranged by R. Sterling; Larry Hochman, *Tzadik Katamar Yifrach*; Harnick and Shire, *Everlasting Light*; David Hamilton, *Sing Noel*; Craig Courtney, *A Musicological Journey Through the 12 Days of Christmas*; and *Christmas Sing-along*
Tickets: Adult $65, senior $60, student $20, and youth $5
Ticketing: General admission; tickets may be purchased in any combination of ticket types. Mailed tickets or an e-ticket are available at checkout. The box office can be reached at 978-281-0543.
Doors: Doors open 45 minutes before each performance. Audience members should be seated five minutes before the concert begins; late seating is at the discretion of the house manager.
Ages: No age restriction is stated.