From Scrooge to Sugar Plums: Holiday Performances in and Around Philly
Nutcrackers, fairytales, Star Trek ... this season has it all.
The Nutcracker is always top of our must-do holiday performances list in Philly. / Photograph by B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia
Whether you’re planning a family outing over winter break or a twist on nostalgic tradition, the holidays always bring the heavy-hitters to the stage. All imaginable variations of The Nutcracker, a handful of family-friendly plays, Scrooge realizing he’s a miserly jerkface … they’re all coming to a theater near you, so get those tickets and enjoy the show.
Theater
First off, we’ve got A Christmas Carol in many iterations.
WST for Kids presents Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
This one’s good for the whole family. It’s a musical adaptation, which keeps things livelier for little ones, and it’s only an hour long with no intermission.
December 6th-21st, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.
A Christmas Carol musical
People’s Light is staging a musical version of A Christmas Carol, blending original music by Zak Berman and traditional English carols to tell the classic story. They did a “Little Library” concert to give you a peek at what to expect, and it’s quite lovely:
November 19th-January 4th, People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern.
A Christmas Carol Comedy
After previous years’ performances sold out and delighted, Hedgerow Theatre Company is bringing back Katie Leamen’s two-person version of A Christmas Carol. This year, it’s starring Brooke Shilling as Scrooge and Sarah Mackus as “Everybody Else.” The 75-minute show is full of mischief and best for ages five and up.
December 19th-23rd, Hedgerow Theatre Company, 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley.
A Christmas Carol one-man show
If two actors still sounds like too many, Lantern Theater Company’s dramatic retelling of A Christmas Carol is accomplished by just one actor. Anthony Lawton returns to bring the story to life, playing each character in the span of 95 minutes. Best for ages nine and up.
December 13th-28th, St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow Street.
Walnut Street Theatre’s musical production of A Christmas Story / Photograph by Mark Garvin
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Not to be confused with A Christmas Carol. Walnut Street Theatre presents a musical adaptation of the classic 1983 holiday movie, complete with big production numbers — the music is by Pasek and Paul! — and lots of heart and humor.
Through January 4th, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.
And let’s round it out with some plays that aren’t holiday-themed, per se, but are family-friendly and warm-and-fuzzy enough to fit into your season.
Annie
If you ever did musical theater as a child, you probably played a plucky singing-and-dancing orphan at some point. So, relive the magic this holiday season as Media Theatre brings the kids’ standard to the stage with all its memorable songs — “Tomorrow,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” etc. — and Depression-Era optimism. Plus, Daddy Warbucks initially invites Annie to his home to spend Christmas with her, so there’s your holiday connection!
November 28th-January 4th, Media Theatre, 104 East State Street, Media.
A Wrinkle in Time
The Arden Theatre presents John Glore’s stage adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved fantasy novel about a young girl’s “thrilling journey across time and space.” The show is recommended for ages six and up.
December 3rd-January 25th, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.
Little Women
Hedgerow Theatre presents the regional premiere of playwright Kate Hamill’s adaption of the Louisa May Alcott classic about four sisters coming of age during the Civil War.
Through December 28th, Hedgerow Theatre Company, 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley.
Music
Santa visits the Philadelphia Orchestra’s holiday performances. / Photograph by Jessica Griffin
A Soulful Christmas
Led by creator and director J. Donald Dumpson and hosted by Patty Jackson and Craig Hayes, this uplifting performance of holiday spirituals and gospel favorites unites choirs and performers from churches and organizations across the region. Now in its 12th year, the program closes with an inspiring “Finale of Lights.”
December 9th, 7:30 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Everett Bradley’s Holidelic
Bon Jovi’s percussionist answers the eternal question: What if Christmas had more “funk holiday magic” and tinsel? To celebrate the “funk-lore” of the season, “Bradley brings to life the role of Papadelic, funk’s Father Christmas, a combo of George Clinton and a soulful Santa,” along with his “P-funk clad band of top shelf misfits” called dysFUNKtional.
December 11th, 7:30 p.m., City Winery, 990 Filbert Street.
Handel’s Messiah
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Symphonic Choir’s annual performance of Handel’s classic work is a holiday tradition. And it’s even better in the hands of conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
December 12th-14th, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones: Jingle All the Way
The jazz-fusion band reunites to perform their greatest hits, along with “reinvented, jazz-infused holiday classics” from their 2008 album — also called Jingle All the Way.
December 12th, 7:30 p.m., Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
The Philly Pops’ A Philly Holiday Spectacular
After their stint as the No Name Pops, the Philly Pops reclaimed their name and legacy this year — it’s a Christmas miracle! Led by music director Chris Dragon, and featuring Philly choirs, vocalists Nikki Renée Daniels and Jeff Kready, and a visit from Santa, the Pops will joyfully take on a program of holiday favorites.
December 13th and 14th, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Q102’s Jingle Ball
The lineup for this year’s annual concert includes Laufey, AJR, Alex Warren, a KPop Demon Hunters sing-along, and more.
December 15th, 7:30 p.m., Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 South Broad Street.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s The Glorious Sound of Christmas
Did you know that the orchestra’s The Glorious Sound of Christmas was first recorded in 1962? Over 60 years later, it’s still a grand tradition, with holiday selections everyone will recognize, from age-old carols to The Nutcracker — plus a more recent addition: “The Rittenhouse Carol” by Bramwell Tovey.
December 18th-20th, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Children’s Holiday Spectacular
This annual family-friendly orchestra performance features joyful sing-alongs, dancers, storytelling, and even a visit from Santa. Selections range from The Nutcracker to Frozen. Do you want to build a snowman? Of course you do!
December 20th, 11:30 a.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
York Street Hustle Holiday Spectacular
This Philly-based 10-piece 1960s soul tribute brings its holiday show to the Newtown Theatre. Expect Motown and Stax holiday classics and more ’60s soul hits.
December 20th, 8 p.m., Newtown Theatre, 120 North State Street, Newtown.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Fans of the epic rock band’s Christmas music — and Dwight Schrute —will love TSO’s annual Ghosts of Christmas Eve concert.
December 21st, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 South Broad Street.
Tuba Christmas
This delightful free concert brings together 100 tuba (and euphonium) players in the Kimmel Center for some holiday joy. And anyone can participate: Just register online and bring your instrument and sheet music (and a $15 donation), and you’re in the show! (Just want to watch? No need to RSVP; just show up for either — or both — free performances.)
December 21st, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Sun Ra Arkestra’s Holiday Jam
The Sun Ra Arkestra “brings the gifts of big band swing, outer-space jazz, dancing, singing and Afro-pageantry” to World Cafe Live for one night only.
December 26th, 8 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street.
Dance (or, Just a Whole Lot of The Nutcracker)
The snowflake fairies in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker / Photograph by B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The ultimate classic. From the Tchaikovsky score to the fantastical journey to the Land of Sweets and back, the Philadelphia Ballet’s rendition never really changes — and never really has to. Pro tip: Come early for pre-show pictures with the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy to really make your holiday season complete.
December 8th-31st, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street.
The Rock School’s Enchanted Nutcracker
If the idea of a two-act ballet at the Academy of Music seems a bit daunting, the Rock School’s Nutcracker is a great option for families. Dancers from the Philly dance institution perform the holiday classic in just 60 minutes, with light narration to make it easier to follow along. Bonus: These performances are sensory-friendly.
December 4th-7th, Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
The Tapcracker
The Lady Hoofers’ all-tap adaptation of the holiday classic includes music by both Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington, and transports audiences to Paris, where “an infestation of rats has thrown the city into chaos.” The family-friendly performance is a lively 90 minutes, and lots of fun.
December 13th and 14th, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street.
One-Man Nutcracker
The show’s name and description is self-explanatory: “You know The Nutcracker the ballet, but what if the ballet was performed by only one man?” Well, that one man is Chris Davis, and he’s back for a second year to dance it all, from Marie to the mice to the Sugar Plum Fairy, all in an hour.
December 9th-January 5th, Prosceium Theater at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street.
The Nutcracker Dipped in Chocolate
For its fifth year, the Chocolate Ballerina Company stages its all-Black version of the holiday classic, with a twist. The music will blend Tchaikovsky’s score with influences from hip-hop, Brazilian Carnival, and Egypt.
December 20th and 21st, Mandell Theater, 3220 Chestnut Street.
General Spectacle
Disney on Ice comes to Xfinity Mobile Arena for the holidays. / Photograph courtesy of Feld Entertainment
It’s Giving Cabaret
The Bearded Ladies Cabaret is celebrating the holidays as only they can: “There will be drag! There will be sing-alongs! There will be acrobatics, jazz, and the resurrection of Philadelphia’s favorite long-dead French chanteuse.” (That would be Edith Piaf, expertly played by Jarbeaux.) The shows start at 9 p.m., so don’t expect a family-friendly holiday romp. (The December 14th show warns of “copious amounts of holiday foods and nudity.”) Each of the five shows has a different lineup and theme, so you’re guaranteed a unique performance each time. Bonus: It’s in the historic Wanamaker Building — thanks to Opera Philadelphia for that.
December 10th-14th, 9 p.m., Greek Hall at the Wanamaker Building, 1301 Chestnut Street.
The Roddenberries: Gingerbread & Circuses
This holiday season truly has something for everyone. And that includes Trekkies. For its third year, Star Trek tribute band The Roddenberries bring their holiday spectacular to life in a “sci-fi rock cabaret” of “high-energy music, holiday satire, and interstellar shenanigans.” And yes, cosplay is encouraged.
December 12th, 7:30 p.m., City Winery, 990 Filbert Street.
Disney on Ice
You know the drill, parents: Get the kids out of the house and in their most glittery princess costumes for a couple hours of figure skating set to their favorite Disney movie soundtracks. This year’s theme: “Jump In!” There’ll be princesses, characters from Inside Out, Mickey and Minnie … Also, Frozen, because Disney knows where its bread is buttered. Buy the $30 light-up wands and commemorative cups while you’re at it.
December 26th-January 3rd, Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 South Broad Street.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Acrobats, aerialists and more dazzling circus-arts performers create holiday magic with a whole lot of sparking, music and gravity-defying.
December 23rd-28th, Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
