“Peppermint Pops: A Symphony of the Seasons,” featuring the University of Southern Mississippi Brass Ensemble and the Meridian Symphony Chorus, will kick off the holiday season at 7 p.m. Saturday at the MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian.

The Meridian Symphony Orchestra’s “Peppermint Pops” is a beloved annual holiday tradition for many community residents. Tickets are still available for the symphony, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. followed by a reception in the lobby with Santa, cookies, cocoa and other holiday treats. Children will not want to miss a chance to post their messages at a Letters to Santa station and visit the Symphony Winter Wonderland.

“‘Peppermint Pops’ promises to bring the cheer and celebration of Christmas to life with a program of carols and seasonal brass classics. The Meridian Symphony Chorus will lead us in our favorite holiday songs, and special guests top the night with true holiday cheer,” ” said Dr. Kristen Johnson-Gunn, choral director of the Meridian Symphony Chorus.

The symphony chorus will play an even bigger role in this year’s “Peppermint Pops,” performing some favorite holiday carols. A variety of styles will be represented, including festive Christmas melodies taken from seasonal movie favorites, as well as the classical Christmas repertoire from John Rutter’s “Gloria.”

This year’s concert will be wrapped in brass thanks to the musical gifts of the USM Brass Ensemble. The university’s faculty brass quintet will be featured during the symphony, and the chorus will join them for two traditional Christmas favorites: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” and a gospel version of “Joy to the World.”

“The chorus has worked all fall to perfect this music and present it to their community, which they consider a high privilege,” Johnson-Gunn said.

Tickets for “Peppermints Pops” may be purchased on the Meridian Symphony Association website at meridianso.org/peppermint-pops.