For many in the Northwest, it wouldn’t be the holidays without the harps, dulcimers and energetic Celtic sounds of acclaimed family ensemble Magical Strings.

The tradition continues as Magical Strings – celebrating its 40th year of staging annual Celtic Yuletide Concerts throughout the Puget Sound region – returns to Kent for a 3 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, 10020 SE 256th St.

Three generations of the Boulding family, including daughter Brittany, violinist with the Seattle Symphony, set the stage with the Tara Academy Irish Dancers, lively fiddling of award-winning Canadian artist Jocelyn Pettit, soulful songs with Dublin guitarist Colm MacCarthaigh, powerful vocals and singalongs led by son-in-law Prescott Breeden, and dynamic percussionist Matt Jerrell.

Philip and Pam’s Celtic harps, dulcimers, concertina, accordion and more are accompanied by their daughter and four sons on violin, cello, whistles, harmonium and harp. Grandson Haydn provides his dancing, percussion and sidekick act to his father’s juggling. Their music sings mysteries from their most recent sojourns in Ireland and beyond.

About Magical Strings

Philip and Pam Boulding founded Magical Strings in 1978, the same year they began the Celtic Yuletide Concerts with their family. They have performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Japan, toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” and recorded 21 albums on four labels.

Once called the “Von Trapps of the Northwest” by local media, their love of music is embraced by their five grown children and six grandchildren, most of whom return each year to join the family band for the Yuletide Concerts.

Advance tickets are $25 adults and $12 children (12 and under) for general seating and $32 for all seats in the reserved section. Tickets are $3 more at the door.

Tickets are available at magicalstrings.com