Holiday Pops Spectacular

The Oregon Symphony brings its Holiday Pops Spectacular to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Saturday, December 12, at 2 PM. It's part of their Special Concerts series, and if you're doing the Choose Your Own Series in Portland, this one counts toward it. The symphony describes this year's show as bigger than ever, built around upbeat holiday music, guest performers, sing-alongs, and a visit from Santa himself—the whole thing pitched as a family-friendly orchestral experience that brings the North Pole to downtown Portland.

On stage, the orchestra is led by conductor Sean O'Loughlin, joined by the Oregon Chorale under artistic director Jason Sabino. The guest spot goes to Janice Martin, who pulls double duty as an electric violinist and an aerialist. Between the full symphony, the chorale, and Martin's two roles, there's a fair amount of ground to cover in one afternoon.

The venue is the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at 1037 SW Broadway, a former movie palace that's since become one of the city's most elegant stages. It's a spot that's seen nearly a century of music, laughter, and inspiration, and it's where the symphony hosts its pops programming. Seating is reserved, so you'll have a specific spot waiting for you when you arrive.

Doors open one hour before the concert begins, and the performance starts at 2 PM, which makes it an easy afternoon outing for families. If you're planning to go, keep in mind that the reserved seating means you'll want to get your tickets ahead of time.