Lexington Symphony’s Holiday Pops, this Friday, Nov. 30 at 4 and 8 p.m., brings a touch of magic to town, coinciding with Lexington Holiday Festival Night and the lighting of the trees up and down Mass. Ave.

As one looks west to east, a symbolic connection forms – up at the Green, there’s individual freedom in all its American significance and down at Cary Hall, there’s the blessing it brings, evidenced by the warm, happy community spirit that fills the building as we share holiday excitement through music. The sparkling welcome of the Mass. Ave. trees practically comes in the doors of Cary Hall to be part of the festive celebration inside.

There’s quite a difference in the two shows we play that day. The small children at the afternoon performance are “active listeners,” with a size to energy ratio that ranks among the feats of physics. Some wiggle in their parents’ laps, others bend into the aisles, and a few stand at full attention, all to catch a glimpse of their favorite instrument, player, or that jolly old elf who always pays a visit.

The evening show has an air of cozy respite in comparison – this is an audience that enjoys sitting back and relaxing to holiday music from “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” to “Sleigh Ride.” The sing-a-long includes many favorite carols and is plain fun. As one audience member says, “What a delightful evening!…My singing has never been accompanied by a symphony orchestra before.” And Santa’s arrival this time around is with a wink and a nod to all the folks who know him well.

This year, the Lexington High School Madrigals will be back with cheerful decking of the halls and wassailing, and the orchestra will take you back in time with tunes from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown’s Christmas, along with traditional standards, all led by Lexington Symphony’s charismatic conductor Jonathan McPhee, who takes a break from conducting the Nutcracker at the Boston Ballet to be with us at Cary Hall.

It’s a great way to rediscover the spirit of the season and we hope you can join us! Take it from the audience:  It's "magical, magnificent, joyful, wonderful!"

Details: Kids Holiday Pops! at 4 p.m. (45 min.), $20/$8 children.  Evening Holiday Pops! at 8 p.m. (1.5 hours), $40/$20 students.  Cary Hall, 1605 Mass. Ave., Lexington

TICKETS:  Available online at http://www.lexingtonsymphony.org, by phone at 781-523-9009, in person at Crafty Yankee, 1838 Mass. Ave., Lexington Center through Nov. 29 (cash/check only) and at the door.