Now that Halloween is over, many of us have turned to planning family activities for the holiday season. Below is a list of family-friendly holiday performances you should consider adding to your holiday bucket list. This is a gift your kids will always remember and could become a really unique tradition to look forward to as well! Get your tickets early and plan ahead. There are so many to choose from!
Holiday Performances and Shows
Columbus Dance Theatre: Hip Hop Nutcracker
When: November 24, 2024 (7:00 p.m.)
Where: Palace Theater (34 West Broad Street)
Tickets: Tickets start at $46
Details: A new take on the Nutcracker!
Website: Hip Hop Nutcracker
A Christmas Carol
When: November 29- December 1, 2024
Where: Ohio Theater
Tickets: Starting at $32
Details: This production of the holiday classic will be made from the ground-up right here in Columbus and will feel at once both traditional and contemporary. The creative team and cast will feature local and national talent. A great way to kick off your holiday season, shows will be held Thanksgiving weekend!
Website: Christmas Carol
A Magical Cirque Christmas
When: November 30, 2024
Where: Palace Theater
Tickets: Prices start at $49
Details: An amazing variety show!
Website: A Magical Cirque Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
When: December 3-8, 2024
Where: Palace Theater
Tickets: See website for pricing
Details: Come see the Broadway classic!
Website: How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical
Jazz up the Holidays
When: December 4, 2024 (7:00 p.m.)
Where: McConnell Center
Tickets: $35
Details: Celebrating its 21st season! Lisa Ferraro brings her acclaimed Jazz up the Holidays tradition to Ohio! Silent action prior!
Website: Jazz up for the Holidays
Home for the Holidays
When: December 4-8, 2024
Where: Southern Theatre
Tickets: Starting at $20
Details: Celebrate the spirit of the season and come Home for the Holidays with your Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Byron Stripling. From timeless classics to festive favorites, experience the magic of the holidays like never before, as we deck the halls with soulful melodies and heartwarming tunes alongside vocalist extraordinaire, Denzal Sinclaire!
Website: Home for the Holidays
Capital University Christmas Festival 2024
When: December 4, 2024- December 8, 2024 (Thursday- Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday)
Where: Mees Hall, Capital University
Tickets: $35 for adults and $22 for students
Details: Featuring the Chapel Choir, Choral Union, Women’s Chorus, The Chordsmen, Philomel and a variety of instrumentalists.
Website: Christmas Festival 2024
Columbus Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops Concert
When: December 6, 2024- December 8, 2024
Where: Ohio Theatre (39 E. State Street)
Tickets: Starting at $20
Details: Holiday magic transforms the historic Ohio Theatre, filling it with beautiful decorations, wonderful music, and seasonal cheer! This holiday performance is one of the season’s most-loved because the holiday songs and carols are all classics you can enjoy too.
Website: Columbus Symphony
The New Albany Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
When: December 6-15, 2024 (Friday, Saturday, Sundays)
Where: The McCoy Center
Tickets: Starting at $18
Details: Each year, over 3,000 people from New Albany and the surrounding communities gather at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts to experience the delightful orchestral sounds, colorful costuming and graceful dancing.
Website: New Albany Nutcracker
Worthington Chorus: Holiday Traditions
When: December 7, 2024 (1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.)
Where: McConnell Center
Tickets: $15 for adults and $5 for children
Details: Come along on this Christmas movie and music journey!
Website: Worthington Chorus
BalletMet Columbus: The Nutcracker
When: December 12-28, 2024 (mainly Friday-Sunday with afternoon and evening shows)
Where: Ohio Theatre (39 E. State Street)
Tickets: Starting at $52
Details: This spellbinding production invites you inside the earnest and imaginative dreams of young Clara as she journeys with her Nutcracker Prince to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Website: BalletMet
Madeline’s Christmas
When: December 13 and 20, 2024 (11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. )
Where: Abby Theater in Dublin
Tickets: $15
Details: After their morning walk with Miss Clavel, 12 little girls go to the zoo, back to school for their French history lesson and everyone gets the flu! Everyone that is, except for the ever-resilient Madeline. Saddened that they may not be able to go home for Christmas, Madeline’s holiday adventure begins, reminding everyone what makes the season special.
Website: Madeline’s Musical
The Ebony Nutcracker
Date: December 13 and 15, 2024
Where: Lincoln Theater
Tickets: $27
Details: Featuring Dance ELITE Academy
Website: Ebony Nutcracker
Ring in the Season: Mad Men Swinging Holiday Show
When: December 18-21, 2024 (7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
Where: Bronwynn Theatre at The McConnell Center, Worthington
Tickets: $35
Details: Playing Christmas hits from the great American songbook and 1960’s!
Website: Mad Men Swinging Holiday Show
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
When: December 26, 2024 (3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
Where: Nationwide Arena (200 W. Nationwide Blvd.)
Tickets: $49-$79
Details: One of the classic holiday performances you can’t miss this holiday season.
Website: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
