The annual Boston College Pops on the Heights: the Barbara and Jim Cleary Scholarship Gala is a celebrated tradition at BC. Always featuring a spectacular line-up of musical performances and so much more, Pops on the Heights embodies the shared sense of purpose that defines scholarship support at Boston College and that shapes the future of hundreds of Eagles each year. 

Thanks to the generosity of so many, Boston College remains need blind in admissions and able to meet the full demonstrated need of undergraduate applicants—Eagles who want to use their talents in the service of others.

Since 1993, Pops on the Heights has raised more than $130 million for financial aid, helping more than 3,500 students pursue their dream of a BC education.

Pops on the Heights takes place in Conte Forum—home of BC basketball and hockey— during BC’s Family Weekend on the Boston College campus in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

In honor of the Clearys, BC has since established the annual James F. Cleary ‘50, H’93, Masters Award, which is given to a fundraising volunteer who exemplifies creativity, dedication, and leadership.

A portion of the ticket price is for student scholarship and tax-deductible. Please see below:

Boston College will send tax receipts within four weeks after your ticket order is placed. Most donor-advised funds and many private foundations state that as a condition of their gift, no benefit can accrue to the person recommending the gift.

Some seats are held aside for BC student groups and a limited number of advance sale tickets are offered to members of the Parent Leadership Council.

Your order confirmation email will be sent by orders@tix.com, not a bc.edu email address, so it may be in your spam/promotions folder.

Yes. Your confirmation email will have an option to download your e-tickets. After the download is complete, you may print them and bring them to the event.

There are no refunds on tickets. Pops on the Heights is an important philanthropic event which funds need-based student scholarships. If you are no longer able to attend and would like to convert your ticket purchase to a tax-deductible donation, please contact pops@bc.edu by September 15, 2023.

Yes, BC students who choose to attend are required to purchase full-price tickets. We are not able to add additional tickets to your seat location once the purchase is complete.

We do not endorse or condone the reselling of tickets. Please be very cautious if someone offers to sell you a ticket. It may be an unauthorized copy.

Yes. You may print tickets and give them to someone you know or send them a mobile version. Please note that the unique bar code on each ticket allows only one entry per ticket to the event. The first copy of an e-ticket to arrive at the event will gain entry after scanning and validation. Other copies of the ticket will be denied entry.

Yes, we have a limited number of wheelchair accessible and companion seats available. For more information, please call the Pops Ticket Office at 1-800-767-5591 with any questions. ADA parking is available with a state-issued disability license plate or disability placard.

Free on-campus parking is available in the Commonwealth Avenue Garage, as well as on the Newton campus. Shuttle buses will provide transportation to and from the Newton campus. 

During Family Weekend and the Pops on the Heights event, Boston College welcomes more than 2,000 families to campus. Please allow extra time.

Conte Forum will be open to the public starting at 6 p.m. You must have a ticket to enter. There will be pre-show performances on stage beginning at 6:45 p.m. The official program begins at 8 p.m. It ends at approximately 10 p.m.

Ticket holders can expect a gourmet picnic-style dinner with a hearty sandwich and dessert at their seat when they arrive. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available by exchanging your meal at the Pops Box Office or our information tables located on the concourse at each entrance. Complimentary bottled water is available in coolers stationed along the walkway. Bars serving complimentary beer, wine, and soda are located on the concourse and open at 6 p.m. and close promptly at 7:45 p.m. These reopen during intermission.

Pops on the Heights is a business casual event, however many attendees choose to dress in business attire and cocktail dresses. Jackets and ties are optional.

Many DAFs have specific guidelines regarding grants to support charitable events such as Pops on the Heights. Please consult your fund’s custodian should you have any questions.

Each table benefactor is allotted one VIP parking spot in the lot next to the Connell Recreation Center, which can be accessed via the Commonwealth Avenue entrance to campus with the appropriate parking pass.

For table guests, each table benefactor will receive parking passes for the Beacon Street Garage, which can be accessed via the Beacon Street entrance to campus. The parking pass is required for entry.

The VIP reception begins at 6 p.m. and is located at Alumni Stadium, Gate D. Guests will be asked to move from the reception to their table in Conte Forum at 7:30 p.m.

Pre-show performances begin on stage at 6:45 p.m., before the official program. The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra will begin playing at 8 p.m. and will finish around 10 p.m.

Tickets and parking passes for you and all of your guests will be sent to you via FedEx the week before the event. If you have a special mailing request, please contact us at pops@bc.edu.

While there is no dress code for the event, we suggest festive business or cocktail attire.

BC Dining serves an award-winning picnic-style dinner at your table. Prior to the concert there will be plenty of tasty hors d’oeuvres at the VIP reception. Please notify your server of any dietary restrictions.

Full bars in the VIP reception area open at 6 p.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. The two bars on either side of the Conte Forum floor and the Mezzanine bars are open from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and during intermission. Each table has complimentary bottles of red and white wine.

For more information, visit bc.edu/popstables.