The Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s annual “A Christmas Family Concert,” is 6:30 p.m. Friday.

“It’s aimed at families, especially families with younger children,” said CSO conductor and music director George Del Gobbo.

He said there will be plenty of pre-concert activities, along with cookies, popcorn, candy canes and hot chocolate.

The orchestra will be divided into sections and they will be spread out all over RiverCenter for the Performing Arts’ lobby and inside the Bill Heard Theatre, he said.

Children can meet orchestra members and some of them will play their instruments, Del Gobbo said.

“They’ll get to conduct the strings,” he said. “They’ll get 30 seconds of being a conductor.”

The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. and will last about 40 minutes.

“It’s just meant to be a good time,” Del Gobbo said. “It’s a very light concert.”

So what age child should go to the concert?

“Oh, gee,” Del Gobbo said. “I think from birth to the eye-rolling age. It depends on the family and it depends on the kid. I think up to age 10.”

Once the concert begins, the audience can sing along.

Del Gobbo won’t be surprised to hear bells.

“I think they will be making crafts. Something involving bells and pipe cleaners. I know I will be hearing bells.”