Seattle Symphony Holiday Series:

The Seattle Symphony celebrates the holidays with a full month of festive performances each December. This season sees the return of the Orchestra’s popular traditional holiday offerings, including five performances of Holiday Pops with newly-announced Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik (December 6¬–9); four performances of Handel’s Messiah (December 14–16); and four performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony led by Music Director Ludovic Morlot (December 28–31), including the New Year’s Eve: Concert, Countdown and Celebration. A special one-night performance of Don Tiki’s Hot Lava Holiday Show will bring Hawaii’s top musicians to Seattle for a night of island rhythms and festive tiki lounge music (December 17). The Symphony’s wide array of family-friendly programming also includes Holiday Spectacular, a Kindermusik® program designed specifically for families and children ages 0–6 (December 1); as well as An Irish Christmas with Eileen Ivers (December 18); and A Festival of Lessons and Carols, featuring the Northwest Boychoir (December 23).

SEATTLE POPS SERIES

Holiday Pops with the Seattle Symphony

• Thursday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m.

• Friday, December 7, at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, December 8, at 2 & 8 p.m.

• Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m.

The Seattle Pops season kicks off the holidays with the perfect collection of seasonal favorites, led by newly announced Seattle Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. There’s simply no better way to ring in the season. Tickets from $19

HOLIDAY SPECIALS

Handel’s Messiah

• Friday, December 14, at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, December 15, at 1 & 8 p.m.

• Sunday, December 16, at 2 p.m.

An annual Seattle Symphony tradition! Don’t miss the exquisite choral writing and exultant “Hallelujah” chorus in Handel’s Messiah — featuring the Seattle Symphony Chorale and distinguished vocal soloists. Tickets from $24

Don Tiki’s Hot Lava Holiday Show

• Monday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Escape the cold this holiday season as Hawaii's most celebrated tiki lounge band, Don Tiki, transforms Benaroya Hall into a tropical paradise with island rhythms and danceable tiki tunes. This collective of Honolulu's top musicians, vocalists and dancers has travelled the globe, entertaining audiences from Vegas to Berlin — now they bring their uniquely Hawaiian warmth and humor to Seattle. (Performance does not include the Seattle Symphony). Tickets from $37

An Irish Christmas with Eileen Ivers

• Tuesday, December 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Backed by her brilliantly versatile band, Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers creates a holiday program that showcases a unique Irish-fusion sound, drawing from a wide range of musical styles while remaining true to Celtic traditions. (Performance does not include the Seattle Symphony.) Tickets from $31

A Festival of Lessons & Carols

• Sunday, December 23, at 7 p.m.

An annual favorite! Experience the story of the Nativity told through readings, choral settings and audience carols in beautiful Benaroya Hall. Performance does not include the Seattle Symphony, and features Northwest Boychoir, Vocalpoint! Seattle and members of Northwest Sinfonia. Tickets from $22

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

• Friday, December 28, at 8 p.m.

• Saturday, December 29, at 8 p.m.

• Sunday, December 30, at 2 p.m.

PIAZZOLLA: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires –

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9, “Choral”

Talented tango dancers kick off this festive concert, accompanied by Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Then, sit back and revel in Beethoven’s uplifting final symphony with its famous “Ode to Joy” chorus. Tickets from $28

New Year’s Eve Concert, Countdown & Celebration

• Monday, December 31, 2012, at 9 p.m.

Ring in the New Year with a rousing performance of two classical music blockbusters: Rachmaninov’s stunning Piano Concerto No. 2 and Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony. Then, count down to midnight with Ludovic Morlot at a post-concert party in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby. Concert tickets start at $52 and include the post-concert party. A pre-concert dinner at Benaroya Hall by Wolfgang Puck catering is available for $75 per person (sold separately). Call 206.215.4747 for more information.

Ticket Information

Tickets may be purchased at www.seattlesymphony.org, through the Seattle Symphony’s new iPhone and Android apps, by calling the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at (206) 215-4747, or by visiting the Ticket Office in Benaroya Hall, located on the corner of Union Street and Third Avenue. Ticket Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, 1–6 p.m.