The Philly Pops will go silent in the coming months after finishing their final season after more than four decades.

• Yes, but: The Pops appear to be on track to live on in a different form.

Why it matters: The orchestra has been dedicated to reaching audiences outside the concert hall since forming in 1979, often performing Broadway, soul, rock and pop music in public spaces.

• But, similar to many in the industry, the group wasn't able to recover from a slump in ticket sales after the pandemic shutdown.
• The Pops' demise represents the city's most significant closure of an arts institution since 2019.

The latest: The group is ending operations after its current season, which runs through June 25, but Pops president Frank Giordano has given the city a glimmer of hope.

• A Christmas show similar to the Pops' annual event — seen by many as heralding the holiday season in Philly — is in the works, featuring Pops musicians under the direction of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Giordano told Axios.

What they're saying: "Everything is still in the planning stage," Giordano said, including whether other annual Pops performances will continue.

• But he proposed that the group would likely live on in some form as a pop musical performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

What's ahead: Tickets are still available for some dates in the Pops' final holiday show, which runs through Dec. 17.

• Their closing season includes a February show of soul hits, concerts in April dedicated to the works of composer Stephen Sondheim and an ode to the "Star Wars" soundtracks in June.

As the Pops prepare to say farewell, we wanted to look back on some of the group's most memorable years:

• 1999: The Philly Pops is designated the official pops orchestra of the state.
• 2001: The Kimmel Center opens with the Pops as a founding resident company.
• 2015: The Pops perform for Pope Francis on Independence Mall.
• 2021: The Pops return to the Kimmel Center in September after a more than year-long pandemic hiatus.

One more legacy: The Pops have been embedded in Philadelphia district schools since 2015, when the group launched its music education program.

• Artists coach and mentor about 3,000 students each year, through Pops In Schools.
• The program remains in limbo as the Philadelphia Orchestra weighs whether to maintain it, Giordano said.

🚨 Aaron Clark, 30, of West Philadelphia, was charged with murder and related offenses after allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house in Darby Township, killing the woman’s younger, wheelchair-bound sister. The DA called the crime “an act of pure evil.” (Inquirer)

✅ Fifty-two organizations are receiving a portion of $1.5 million in grants as part of a new Lenfest Institute program to inform and engage voters. Half are community nonprofits or faith-based organizations and the rest are news outlets, including Billy Penn.

📚 Chalkbeat released an Early Education Guide that breaks down the triumphs and challenges facing Philly students, from the district's push to improve literacy through head start programs to fighting food insecurity.

🎤 Quote du jour

"I was shocked at how easy it was. Actually, these three guys are already genuinely talented singers in their own way."

It's a holiday takeover. Soak up the spirit while you can:

🍸 Sip on mixologist Danny Childs' creative concoctions, including a dairy-free eggnog or warmed mulled wine punch, at this bartending and botanical bonanza in the W Hotel's Secret Garden. Friday and Saturday, 4pm-8pm. Sunday noon-4pm, at 1439 Chestnut St.

⛄ Break out your best ugly sweater and saunter down to the Philadelphia Art Museum on Friday for "tours and pours" and a winter snowflakes wishes installment. $5 parking, pay what you wish entry.

• Chef Hoon Rhee of Stir is teaching winter cocktail-making. $75 a person. 5-8:45pm.

🎅 Eat holiday-inspired treats while cozying up by fire pits at Frankford Hall. Plus, a meet-and-greet with Santa. Sunday, noon-4pm.

More things to do

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to fix the address for this weekend's Secret Garden cocktail event to 1439 Chestnut St., not 7631 Ridge Ave.

💼 Check out who's hiring now.

1. Vice President of Marketing Communications at AboveBoard.
2. Vice President – Lifecycle Performance Services (LPS) Projects at MHS.
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'Tis the season for holiday traditions and we want to know yours!

What's happening: We are looking to hear what tradition makes the holidays in Philly so special for you.

• It can be an event, experience, dish, sweater or whatever is a must for you. Here are ours:

Mike: My holiday wouldn't be complete without hauling my family down to South Philly to take in the Miracle on 13th Street light display.

Isaac: Tamales smothered in red chile, posole and a Christmas Eve viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" were all staples in my New Mexican household. This year I'm hoping to add a little bird meat to the meal as Philly and the Cowboys square off Christmas Eve.

Alexa: You can find me joining the long line for cannolis outside Termini Bros. this Christmas Eve.

📬 Hit reply to this email and share your responses!