American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season 2026

The American Festival Pops Orchestra presents its annual Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season, an evening of seasonal favorites designed for the whole family. The performance is led by Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Wilson, a former senior enlisted music advisor to The White House.

The orchestra includes more than 60 professional musicians, including faculty members from George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music, instrumentalists from U.S. Armed Forces music ensembles, and musicians from local orchestras.

When: Saturday, December 12, 2026

Showtime: 4 p.m.

Venue: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall, Fairfax Campus, George Mason University

Tickets: $70, $60, or $45, including fees. Half-price tickets are available for youth through Grade 12.

Ages: Appropriate for all ages.

Pre-performance discussion: Composer/Arranger in Residence Bryan Kidd will participate in a discussion moderated by Orchestra Manager Emily Craine. The discussion begins one hour before the performance.

Performance program: A digital program will be available during the week of the event.

Student tickets: A limited number of free tickets for Mason students will be available two Tuesdays before the event.

Additional performance: The program is also presented Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia.