Santa, ballerinas and the band? Sounds like magic in Tucson

Michael Hall returns to Tucson to lead the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in its annual “Magic of Christmas” pops concerts this weekend.

This will be Hall’s eighth time in the past dozen years conducting the popular holiday show.

The show features the TSO Chorus under founder and director Bruce Chamberlain, the University of Arizona Dance Ensemble performing choreography by Clair Hancock and a visit by Santa Claus.

Th program opens with John Williams’ “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas,” and ends with Takashi Hoshide’s elegantly bright “A Christmas Carol Fantasy,” which premiered in Paris in 2012.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

Performances are at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Santa will set up in the lobby after both concerts to accept Christmas lists from the kiddos.

Tickets are $30 to $76 — half-price for children and active military — through tucsonsymphony.org or at the TSO box office, 2175 N. Sixth Ave.

You can also get them at the Music Hall on the day of the show.