Spreading Christmas cheer turned into a bah humbug experience for a pair of carolers when they were assaulted by two juveniles on the street, according to the Boston Police Department.

Authorities received a report of an assault and battery in progress on Johnston Street in Dorchester at about 3:05 p.m. Officers responding to the scene learned that a group of elderly Christmas carolers wanted to support a friend by singing carols, police said.

But what the officers came across, instead, was anything but a merry experience.

“As the group was facing a home, two elderly victims were attacked from behind, and punched multiple times in the back of the head,” authorities said in a release Thursday. “Officers were provided a description of the suspects, and searched the area to no avail.”

The victims, both at least 60 years old, declined medical treatment on scene, police said.

Detectives later identified the two juveniles involved, interviewed them with their parents, and the suspects admitted to the crimes.

Criminal complaints will be sought out of Dorchester District Court to charge the juvenile males, ages 15 and 16, with assault and battery on a person 60 and over.