PORTLAND — The Portland Symphony Orchestra rings in the holiday season with the return of Magic of Christmas with performances Dec. 11-20. Audiences will be treated to traditional seasonal favorites and new soon-to-be-classics at the annual holiday concerts conducted by PSO music director Robert Moody and assistant conductor Norman Huynh at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium.

Merrill Auditorium will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the concerts, with the sounds of the orchestra and chorus filling the hall with holiday classics such as “Joy to the World,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and the beloved orchestra tradition, “Sleigh Ride.” This year’s Magic of Christmas features special guests from Cirque de la Symphonie, who will demonstrate incredible acrobatic feats to accompany the music.

The Magic of Christmas Chorus, made up primarily of members of the Portland Community Chorus, will join the PSO for these special holiday concerts. Part of the annual PSO tradition, more than 100 members of the PCC participated in last year’s Magic of Christmas. Chorus master Norman Huynh will lead singers on stage during each Magic of Christmas concert this season.

Cirque de la Symphonie brings the magic of cirque to the music hall with veterans of exceptional cirque programs from around the world, including acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers and strongmen. The group has choreographed a variety of acts to accompany the Magic of Christmas program, adding an air of excitement to the concerts.

Liz Pettengill performs for the second time alongside the PSO during Magic of Christmas as the Dancing Santa at this year’s concerts. Pettengill is a world-travelled dance performer from Portland. She has a degree in dance and performance studies from Roger Williams University and currently performs with the local modern dance company Collective Motion. In 2014 she was named Portland’s Best Dance Performer by The Portland Phoenix.

Tickets range from $25-70 and are available through PortTIX at 207-842-0800 or www.porttix.com. Phone and internet orders are subject to per-ticket handling fees. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office at 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Special pricing for students, seniors, and groups may be available.

2015 Magic of Christmas times: 2 p.m. (preview) and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18-19; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.