Kids of all ages can make holiday memories this year with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Photos courtesy of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. 

It has all the makings of a perfect holiday moment: Imagine arriving at downtown Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall on a December day with your kids, taking in the beauty of the Grand Lobby and snapping a family photo in front of the sparkling 25-foot-tall Christmas tree. Then make your way into the auditorium to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Mendelssohn Choir and guest vocalist Mamie Parris, led by the multi-talented Byron Stripling, who serves as the symphony’s Principal Pops Conductor.

You can revel in the fun of “Sleigh Ride” and the “Hallelujah” chorus, join in sing-alongs and see the dancing Sugar Plum Fairy from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, all during Holiday Pops performances happening Dec. 13 through Dec. 22.

Does attending a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) show with kids sound intimidating? These shows are designed to be welcoming for families. There is even a sensory-friendly performance planned for Saturday, Dec. 14 (all tickets just $15).

The sensory-friendly performance begins at 2:30 p.m., but families are invited to arrive as early as 1:15 p.m. to meet musicians from PSO, try a holiday relay with Attack Theatre, and decorate a cookie ingredient jar to give to someone special. Fidgets, a quiet room, hearing protection and ASL interpretation will all be provided.

“We’ll have open captioning, so everyone can see the lyrics,” says Suzanne Perrino, PSO’s senior vice president of learning and engagement. “The show will run about 50 minutes, and it has lots of fun, engaging music in a very supportive, welcoming environment, including supports for folks who have low vision, who are hard of hearing, who have mobility issues. It’s open to anyone who has any concerns about coming to a typical Pittsburgh Symphony concert. We see all ages, all abilities, all backgrounds.”

It can be the perfect way to introduce kids to the magic of live music.

“The full orchestra is playing on stage, so you’ll feel that energy and the vibration and the excitement throughout the concert. It’s very different than listening to a recording in your car or in your home,” Perrino says. “You’re experiencing the community feeling of a full orchestra in Heinz Hall with all of the decorations. It’s the perfect time for families to attend together as a unit, because they feel so welcome in this atmosphere that is non-judgmental. We’re glad that we can welcome families in this really open, inclusive, positive way.”

You can find tickets here to the Holiday Pops shows, including the sensory-friendly performance.