Holiday Cheer Live on Stage- DC Holiday Shows to Celebrate the Season

Holiday Cheer Live On Stage - DC Holiday Shows to Celebrate the Season

There’s something special about dressing up, layering on the coats and heading to the theatre for a seasonal performance that fosters holiday cheer among the masses. The capital city is bursting with said holiday cheer each year in November and December, and holiday shows to add a little extra magic to the season are in no short supply. Bundle up your favorite crew of sugar plum fairies and Scrooges alike and head to one of these fun and festive performances.

A Christmas Carol
Ford’s Theatre
November 19 - December 31

Join the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. A holiday classic made DC tradition is brought to life on the stage of Ford’s Theatre, thrilling sold out audiences year after year. See photos from past performances, read about the cast and watch a preview of this stunning show on the Ford Theatre Website.

Seasons of Light
The Discovery Theater
November 30 - December 18

Seasons of Light from The Smithsonian Associates’ Discovery Theater brings a multitude of diverse holiday traditions to the stage to help young audiences celebrate across cultural boundaries. The performance is intended for audiences aged 5-10 and explains the celebratory customs of Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Ramadan and others. See showtimes and ticket information here.

Washington National Opera’s Holiday Family Opera: Hansel and Gretel
JFK Center for the Performing Arts
December 12 - 20

The Washington National Opera has been hitting the high notes and impressing audiences with original and classic works since 1956. Every holiday season, the WNO brings a Holiday Family Opera to the stage, delighting audiences young and old alike. This year, the storybook tale of Hansel and Gretel will come to life through song, colorful sets and lively performers. Tickets and more info here.

Stars of David: Story to Song
Theatre J
December 22-27

From the Washington, DC Jewish Cultural Center’s Theatre J comes “Stars of David,” a holiday-themed musical comedy that tells the stories of prominent Jewish public figures throughout the ages. Adapted from the best-selling book by Abigail Pogrebin, this laughter-filled celebration of Jewish culture takes a creative look at the stories of Joan Rivers, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leonard Nimoy and Fran Drescher - just to name a few. See the show’s website for tickets and more info.

An Irish Carol
Keegan Theatre
December 12-31

An Irish Carol brings the sharp wit and dark humor of the Irish to the Dickens original. The story follows a wealthy business owner, David, who is forced to face the truth of the greedy and increasingly isolated man he has become as a voice from the past takes him on a wild ride to face the present. This critically acclaimed show is appropriate for audiences 16 and older and runs 80 minutes with no intermission. See the Keegan Theatre website to read more about the show and the cast, and to purchase tickets.

Nutcrackers:

Who can resist this holiday classic at Christmastime? Toys soldiers and dolls come to life, the tunes of Tchaikovsky fill the air and dancers in colorful costumes fly across the stage. The DC area offers several stagings of this quintessential show. See one, or see them all!

The Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey’s The Nutcracker
JFK Center for the Performing Arts
November 25 - 29

The Washington Ballet
The Nutcracker
Thearc Theater (November 28 - 29)
Warner Theatre (December 4 - 27)

The Moscow Ballet
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Music Center at Strathmore (Bethesda)
December 21 - 22