Dr. Phillips Charities Welcomes Hundreds to 3rd Annual Free Holiday Pops with Orlando Philharmonic
ORLANDO, Fla. – [December 22, 2025] – Dr. Phillips Charities and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra proudly hosted the 3rd Annual Holiday Pops concert on December 12 at the Della Phillips Pavilion in The Packing District, welcoming hundreds of families from across Central Florida for a joyful and music-filled evening under the stars.
Each year, the free outdoor concert celebrates the legacy of Della Phillips, an accomplished musician, arts advocate, and beloved philanthropist, by bringing the community together through the power of live orchestral music. This year’s performance, led by Orlando Philharmonic Music Director Eric Jacobsen, featured beloved holiday classics such as The Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride, Festive Sounds of Hanukkah, and It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, creating a festive atmosphere embraced by audiences of all ages.
In addition to the concert, attendees explored a festive Holiday Market featuring more than 10 local vendors, further supporting small businesses and adding to the evening’s family-friendly atmosphere.
“Dr. Phillips Charities is honored to once again welcome the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra to the Della Phillips Pavilion for this cherished annual tradition,” said Ken Robinson, President and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities. “We’re proud to celebrate Della Phillips’ enduring passion for the arts and to provide a free, family-friendly cultural experience for the community each holiday season.”
Now in its third year, Holiday Pops has become a beloved seasonal tradition, reflecting Dr. Phillips Charities’ ongoing commitment to expanding access to the arts, honoring its philanthropic legacy, and creating meaningful shared experiences for the Central Florida community.
About Della Phillips
Della Phillips was married to Dr. P. Phillips for 58 years. Together they raised two sons, built a successful citrus and commercial real estate business, and contributed significant time, talent, and resources to the Orlando community. Mrs. Phillips was an accomplished musician, classically trained in piano and music theory. She shared her love for the arts with family and friends, believing classical music and performance provided not only entertainment, but also intellectual stimulation. Dr. and Mrs. Phillips regularly invited world-class artists to perform at their home on Lake Lucerne in downtown Orlando to which they added a carriage house with living quarters designed to accommodate musicians and a second-floor ballroom to entertain guests and host performances. Della Phillips was a co-Founder and supporter of the Mendelssohn Society, a precursor to today’s Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
About Dr. Phillips and Dr. Phillips Charities
Dr. P. Phillips was a visionary whose charitable contributions and entrepreneurship helped create a vibrant, thriving community in Central Florida. The Dr. Phillips name has been a major economic and philanthropic presence in the Central Florida community since the turn of the 20th century. Dr. Phillips Charities (Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation) uses the earnings from its investment and real estate income to give financial assistance to hundreds of charities serving primarily in Orange and Osceola counties. Dr. Phillips has contributed more than $261 million in grants, pledges and program-related investments to Central Florida charities responding to the needs of the community and directly touching the lives of thousands of children and families. Learn more at www.DrPhillips.org.
About the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Celebrating its 32nd Season, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is led by Music Director Eric Jacobsen and is comprised of creative musicians and artists from around the world. The Philharmonic annually presents the 10-concert Classics Series and Pops Series in Steinmetz Hall as well as its Focus Series and Symphony Storytime Series at The Plaza Live, a historic Central Florida venue. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s vision is to enrich and inspire through the transformative power of live music as Central Florida’s premiere professional orchestra and it presents more than 170 live concerts and impacts more than 70,000 children, youth, and families annually through its Young People’s Concerts, Symphony Storytime Series, Notes in Your Neighborhood program, and free outdoor community concerts. A resident company of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Philharmonic is proud to perform in the new Steinmetz Hall, one of the finest venues for acoustic music in the country. The Orlando Philharmonic is a Partner Organization of the National Alliance for Audition Support, an initiative to increase diversity in American Orchestras. Learn more at orlandophil.org.
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