Pink Martini will return to Raleigh this December for three holiday celebrations with the North Carolina Symphony, the orchestra has announced.

Packing its unique blend of red-hot world music and retro-lounge cool, the band joins the symphony, conducted by Sarah Hicks, for three Pops Series performances over two days at downtown Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall.

The concerts, titled "Holiday Pops: A Pink Martini Christmas," will feature, among other selections, music from the band's acclaimed 2011 holiday album "Joy to the World." They take place Friday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Led by Oregon native Thomas Lauderdale and their "Diva Next Door," China Forbes, Pink Martini has turned a captivating sound - a mix of classical, jazz, Latin, samba and good old-fashioned pop - into one of the hottest acts in music. Their unique combination of Hollywood lounge class and world influence offers the perfect blend of seductive and New Age sounds.

Pink Martini has performed its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

"Pink Martini is a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure," says founder Lauderdale, and a globe-trotting touring schedule and more than a decade of breakout success have not altered his motivations. "If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we'd be that band," he adds.

The 12-member group has performed with top orchestras around the world, including the Boston Pops, Los Angeles Philharmonic and BBC Concert Orchestra in London.

Tickets are currently only available by subscribing to the orchestra's six-concert Pops Series or three-concert Pops Matinee Series.

For details and to purchase tickets to either offering, visit the series subscription page of the North Carolina Symphony's website, www.ncsymphony. org/subscriptions.

Subscriptions may also be purchased over the phone by calling North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at (919) 733-2750 or toll free (877) 627-6724.

Single-concert tickets will be available online and by phone beginning Aug. 6.

Meymandi Concert Hall is located in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., in Raleigh.