Boston Pops Returns For Holiday Live Performance Since 2019

BOSTON, MA — Two years have passed since the Boston Pops has played before a live audience. That will change Thursday night when the city’s symphony orchestra returns in a live performance – just in time for the holidays.

The Boston Pops will perform at Symphony Hall for the start of a series of holiday shows that did not take place last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The holiday extravaganza was live-streamed last year, which – according to conductor Keith Lockhart – caused some of the magic to be lost from experiencing the show in person.

"It’s a combination of feeling like Christmas morning and look, let’s face it, last year was the worst December of my life,” Lockhart told WCVB in an interview.

Attendees at the performances must wear masks and must show proof of vaccination. If concert-goers are not willing to show proof of vaccination they must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the past 24 hours.

The performances, which run through the holidays, begin at 8 p.m. and include an array of holiday favorites, a singalong and a visit from Santa, according to the Boston Pops website.

The return to live performance comes as confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic are spiking across Massachusetts and as a new variant of the virus is starting to make its way to the United States.

Still, Lockhart is hoping that, despite the new threat, visitors can enjoy a return to tradition after the Pops was forced to cancel the live performance last year.

“The important thing I think is the feeling and perception of safety. Nobody wants to come and celebrate something and be looking over their shoulders for a virus lurking in their midst,” Lockhart told the Boston TV station. “As long as we can make people feel comfortable, I’m confident that we’re going to have just a wonderful time here at Symphony Hall.”