Music is an essential part of the winter season. From singing carols to watching light displays flashing in time to familiar and nostalgic melodies, music helps bring the magic of the season to life. In Cincinnati, a city celebrated for its vibrant arts and culture scene, that magic takes center stage at Cincinnati Music Hall, where a variety of family-friendly concerts offer opportunities to celebrate the season through music.
On November 28 - 29, 2026, the Cincinnati Pops will perform Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in concert. Featuring The Muppets performing Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale, the beloved film will project onto the big screen as the orchestra plays the score live-to-picture. Hear your favorite songs at this special holiday event that guarantees instant memories and fun for the whole family. Come early to take pictures and get creative with children's activity books.
The following month, on December 11 - 13, there are six chances to experience a can't-miss Cincinnati winter tradition: Holiday Pops! Each year, Music Hall fills with twinkling lights, the sound of Christmas carols and talented choirs and dancers from across the city. This year, conductor John Morris Russell will lead the Pops and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno through holiday favorites like "Deck the Halls" and "The 12 Daze of Cincinnati Christmas," a Cincinnati twist on "The 12 Days of Christmas".
JMR told Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Fanfare Magazine, "When we bring all of these people and all these elements together, with audiences who are raring for a good time, it's a magical experience. The lighting and sets, stage presentation and costumes, the fantastic chorus, and of course, the finest pops orchestra on the planet, there's no wonder it has become Cincinnati's most beloved holiday tradition."
