Ring in Boston's holiday concert season

You there boy, what season is it? What’s that? It’s holiday concert season? Well time to listen to some Handel, hang out with Lockhart, and explore folk, soul and Hanukkah rock.

“Messiah”

Nov. 28 – 30, Symphony Hall

If practice makes perfect, then the Handel and Haydn Society’s “Messiah” is beyond perfect. H + H first performed the “Messiah” in full in 1818. Since then, the organization has been committed to finding excellent young talents to carry it forward. today it’s in the capable hands of artistic director Jonathan Cohen and, for this run, soprano Lauren Snouffer. handelandhaydn.org

Holiday Pops

Dec. 4 – 30, Symphony Hall

Keith Lockhart celebrates 30 years leading Boston’s, well, leading musical holiday tradition. In addition to 44 Holiday Pops performances, the Boston Pops adds a few more seasonal gifts. Lockhart and orchestra present “Elf in Concert” on Dec. 27 and 28 and a live production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 30. bso.org/pops

The LeeVees

Dec. 5, True North Ale Company, Ipswich

The question was never, how can the LeeVees be a band that only plays Hanukkah songs? But, how long can the LeeVees keep up being a band that only plays Hanukkah songs? The answer is a couple of decades. Guster co-founder Adam Gardner and Dave Schneider of the Zambonis (a band that only plays songs about hockey) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the LeeVees album “Hanukkah Rocks” at the show. theleevees.com

The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show

Dec. 6, Chevalier Theatre, Medford

If somebody told you in 2006 that Aimee Mann would be the queen of Christmas shows in 20 years, you would point to “Voices Carry” and say no way. But Mann’s holiday concerts with Ted Leo have become legendary. This year the indie rock royalty put on their power pop pageant with guests Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman.

Darlene Love

Dec. 6, The Cabot, Beverly

Love returns for her annual seasonal run armed with her amazing voice and the greatest Christmas pop song of all time: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

Sol y Canto

Dec. 6, Club Passim, Cambridge

Sol y Canto and pals present a bilingual/bicultural holiday rave. Get ready to sing along to old favorites and favorites you don’t know yet. Make merry, learn some lyrics in Spanish (with a quick tutorial), get to know seasonal songs from Puerto Rico and Latin America.

Wintery Songs in Eleventy Part Harmony

Dec. 16, Club Passim, Cambridge

Local Jennifer Kimball’s long-running series pulls together a merry band of musicians who make seasonal sounds new again by rearranging and reinterpreting classics. Expect to be surprised. Expect some glockenspiel.

The Somerville Chanukah rave

Dec. 17, Somerville Armory

The Boston Festival of New Jewish beat presents the third annual Somerville Chanukah rave! Klezmer beat by Michael Winograd and his band. Dancing by you.