The Pipes of Christmas has announced its first-ever performance in Boston, marking a major milestone in the concert’s 26-year history. The Boston concert will be held in loving memory of Brian O’Donovan, who hosted the beloved Christmas performance “A Celtic Sojourn” for Boston audiences for more than 20 years. This holiday event will open on Thurs., Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Old South Church located at 645 Boylston Street.

“As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the cherished memories of Christmas Celtic Sojourn, a beloved tradition that my late husband, Brian, nurtured in Boston for nearly two decades,” said Lindsay O’Donovan. “While nothing can ever replace the magic and warmth of those gatherings, I am comforted in knowing that the spirit of Celtic music continues to thrive. Brian often said that the one thing he would hate most is for the “room to go silent.” In this spirit, I am honored to announce that The Pipes of Christmas,  a celebrated performance now in its 26th year, will be coming to Boston for the first time. This beautiful show has been a staple in New York and New Jersey, and I know Brian would be deeply touched to see others picking up the torch, ensuring that the vibrant sounds of Celtic heritage continue to fill our hearts and halls. As Brian was apt to say ‘won’t you join us?’”

“We are honored to welcome friends new and old to this year’s Pipes of Christmas performances — including at a new venue in Boston,” said the show’s producer, Robert Currie. “Over 26 years, the concert has become an essential part of many of our concertgoers’ Christmas traditions, and we have another wonderful performance planned for everyone who is joining us in person or via our webcast.”

“Boston has long celebrated its Celtic roots through music, culture, and community, and Brian was a veritable institution in this endeavor. While we can never replace the ‘Celtic Sojourn’ experience, we will honor Brian’s legacy and love of Celtic traditions through our Boston performance. We are thrilled to join this vibrant tradition by bringing the Pipes of Christmas’ unique blend of music and storytelling to the city.”

“Indeed we are honored to have the support and assistance of Brian’s widow, Lindsay O‘Donovan, to help make this program possible,” said Currie. Ms. O’Donovan serves as the honorary chair for the Boston concert.

The Pipes of Christmas brings together musicians, soloists, and performers from across America and the UK to share the magic of the holiday season through the timeless sounds of Celtic music. The show features traditional favorites and newly commissioned works performed on pipes and drums, harp and fiddle, organ, brass, and more, as well as readings taken from the Celtic literature of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. 

Featured performers include guitarist and music director Steve Gibb from Inverness, Scotland, actor James Robinson of “Braveheart,” “Outlander,” and “Saving Christmas Spirit,” fiddler Caitlin Warbelow from Broadway’s “Come from Away,” and US National Champion harpist Rachel Clemente. In addition, audiences will thrill to the Commonwealth Pipes and Drums under the leadership of Pipe Major Adam Holdaway and the B-Line Brass Quintet led by CJ Waldrop. The newly formed quintet will be making their Boston debut at the concert.

Also making her Pipes of Christmas debut will be Madelyn Monaghan, an Irish American traditional (sean-nós) singer based in New York City. In September of this year, Madelyn was a leading performer at the Celtic World Forum in Dublin alongside the likes of Máiréad Nesbitt and Clannad’s Moya Brennan and appeared in the Celtic Music Festival in Rockport, MA. Her voice can be heard via TikTok, museums, film scores, and commercials, and her album éist is available on all streaming platforms.

“We are delighted to be able to bring this long-running Christmas production to Boston for the first time,” said Brady Brim-DeForest of Balvaird, who has helped spearhead the production and serves as Founding Patron of the Boston concert.

The Pipes of Christmas is hosted by the Learned Kindred of Currie, a non-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish and Highland heritage and the arts. As its primary fundraiser, the concert enables the Kindred’s continued efforts to support the global Scottish community.

Tickets are now available via Eventbrite. Reserved VIP and general admission seating is available. Access to the global webcast of concert highlights can also be booked in advance.

About “The Pipes of Christmas”

Since its debut 26 years ago in 1999, The Pipes of Christmas has played to standing-room-only audiences. Now a cherished holiday event, the concert gives audiences a stirring and reverent celebration of the Christmas season and the Celtic spirit. Audience-goers return year after year to experience the program, many reporting that the Pipes of Christmas has become part of their family’s annual Christmas tradition.

The concert has been lavished with critical acclaim. In his review for Classical New Jersey Magazine, Paul Somers wrote, “The whole evening was constructed to introduce gem after gem and still have a finale which raised the roof. In short, it was like a well-constructed fireworks show on the Glorious Fourth.” The Westfield Leader described the concert as “a unique sound of power and glory nowhere else to be found.”