You can fit one show into the December madness, can’t you? Take a night off with the kids, relax, and let one of our region’s theater companies entertain you.
‘Twas the Night, through Dec. 18
A humorous musical spin on Clement Clarke Moore’s poem about a midnight encounter with St. Nick. Ages 4 and older. $14. Studio East, Kirkland. [EASTSIDE]
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!), through Dec. 24
Three actors decide to mix up their holiday performance with Christmas traditions from around the world — and from every place in time. Ages 8 and older. ArtsWest, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
A Christmas Carol, through Dec. 24
A cheerful, straightforward retelling of Dickens’ classic holiday tale (but prepare younger kids for a scary ghost of Jacob Marley). Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. $27–$49. ACT Theatre, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
Nutcracker, through Dec. 27
The Christmas tree still grows to nightmarish proportions, the giant Rat King still menaces the toy soldiers, and beautifully costumed kids still caper about the stage. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s all-out production is still worth springing for. Ages 5 and older. $28–$113. McCaw Hall, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
Beasley’s Christmas Party, through Dec. 30
An adaptation of Booth Tarkington’s 1909 novel, in which a Midwestern journalist discovers that his neighbor may (or may not) have a large group of imaginary friends. Ages 5 and older. Taproot Theatre, Seattle. $20–$35. [SEATTLE]
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,Through Dec. 31
The lush musical fairy tale is all done up The 5th-Avenue Theatre-style. Rated G. Tickets start at $29. The 5th Avenue, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
Merry Chris Mouse, Dec. 2–4
A family of poor brown mice make a new home in a child’s room — and find a little white mouse in a cage that they decide to rescue — in Thistle Theatre’s bunraku-style puppet show. Grades pre-K to 3. $8–$9. Sunset Hill Community Club, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
How the Penguins Saved Santa Claus, Dec. 2–11
Bellevue Youth Theatre’s comic holiday show, in which misfit penguins help Mr. Claus out. All ages. $12. Bellevue Youth Theatre, [EASTSIDE]
A Christmas Story, Dec. 2–18
Ralphie, age 9, wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, but he’s thwarted at every turn (even by Santa Claus). Based on the 1983 movie and performed by Olympia Family Theatre. Ages 8 and older. $9–$16. The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, Olympia. [SOUTH SOUND]
Holiday Memories, Dec. 2–18
A young boy and his elderly cousin make fruitcake for Eleanor Roosevelt and find the perfect Christmas tree in this adaptation of two Truman Capote stories, set in Depression-era rural Alabama. $10–$14. Ages 8 and older. Olympia Little Theater, [SOUTH SOUND]
Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant, Dec. 2–23
Book-It Repertory Theatre acts out scenes from John Irving’s classic novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany, that reveals his often-sidesplitting need to play the baby Jesus in the church Christmas pageant. Ages 8 and older. Center House Theatre, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
A Christmas Carol, Dec. 2–24
Bah, humbug, and etc. Ages 5 and older. Tacoma Little Theatre, [SOUTH SOUND]
The Snowman, Dec. 3
Seattle Symphony performs while the animated holiday classic, based on Raymond Briggs’ children’s book by the same name, is projected onto the big screen. The show includes pre-concert activities in the Grand Lobby. Ages 6–12. $15–$20. Benaroya Hall, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
Family Holiday Concert and Sing-Along, Dec. 3
Break out the reindeer antlers for holiday music (carol sing-alongs included) by Lake Union Civic Orchestra. All ages. $15, ages 12 and younger free. Town Hall Seattle, [SEATTLE]
White Christmas, Dec. 4
A plot involving the saving of a failing Vermont inn is secondary to Irving Berling’s classic music, including “White Christmas,” “Snow” and “Count Your Blessings.” All ages. $10. Wade James Theatre, Edmonds. [SNOHOMISH COUNTY]
Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide, Dec. 4
The Boulding Family’s annual holiday show includes Celtic instruments, Irish step dancing, drumming and storytelling. All ages. $16–$22. Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, [SOUTH SOUND]
Miracle on 34th Street, Dec. 4
A one-hour live radio production — it’ll be broadcast on AM 1090 KPTK — of the classic Christmas story, performed by Seattle Radio Theatre and featuring live music and vintage sound effects. Ages 5 and older. $5–$15. Town Hall Seattle, [SEATTLE]
The Nutcracker, Dec. 9–22
International Ballet Theatre performs in traditional Russian style, with period costumes, and backdrops created in the Ukraine. Principals from the Kirov Ballet interpret the ballet as created by Tchaikovsky and Petipa in 1892. Ages 5 and older. $25–$50. The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. [EASTSIDE]
Black Nativity, Dec. 8–24
This year is the 50th anniversary of Langston Hughes’ gospel retelling of the Nativity story. Seattle’s performance has long featured Patrinell Wright and The Total Experience Gospel Choir. Ages 5 and older. $25–$55. The Moore Theatre, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
Nutcracker Sweets, Dec. 9–11, 17
Get your tickets quickly for this extremely popular, child-friendly version of the ballet, performed by students of ARC School of Ballet and dancers from ARC Dance Company. All ages. At ARC Dec. 9–11, $10–$15. At Bagley Wright Theatre Dec. 17, $20–$30. [SEATTLE]
Family Holiday Concert, Dec. 10
Traditional carols and an audience sing-along with Seattle Pro Musica, named “among one of America’s very best choirs” by American Record Guide. Two kids will be chosen to guest conduct during the performance. All ages. $5–$25. Town Hall Seattle, [SEATTLE]
Holiday Magic: Christmas Around the World, Dec. 10
The Sno-King Community Chorale performs a program of holiday music. All ages. $10–$20. Edmonds Center for the Arts, [SNOHOMISH COUNTY]
The Steadfast Tin Soldier, a Story Ballet, Dec. 10–11
Students from Dance Fremont! perform the Hans Christian Andersen story. All ages. $15. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, Shoreline. [SHORELINE]
The Nutcracker, Dec. 10–11
Olympic Ballet Theatre’s annual homage to the holidays. Ages 5 and older. $20–$30. Everett Performing Arts Center, [SOUTH SOUND]
Merry Chris Mouse, Dec. 10–11
See Dec. 2. Magnuson Park theatre, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
The Nutcracker, Dec. 10–21
Tacoma City Ballet and Northwest Sinfonietta perform in the tradition of the original developed in St. Petersburg over a century ago. Ages 5 and older. $19–$60. Pantages Theatre, Tacoma. [SOUTH SOUND]
Peter Pan, a British Panto, Dec. 10–Jan. 15
Hijinks, cross-dressing and heckling are part of The Fremont Players’ raucous annual holiday show. Get your tickets soon; these shows sell out. All ages. $6–$12. Hale’s Palladium, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
KPC’s Old-Time Holiday Show, Dec. 16–18
The annual variety show sells out, because who can resist clowns, jugglers, comedians and choirs? Who? All ages. $15–$27. Kirkland Performance Center, [EASTSIDE]
Magical Strings, Dec. 16
See Dec. 4. $12–$26. Urban Grace Church, Tacoma. [SOUTH SOUND]
Magical Strings, Dec. 17
See Dec. 4. $12–$26. Town Hall Seattle, [SEATTLE]
The Nutcracker, Dec. 17–18
See Dec. 10. Edmonds Center for the Arts, [SNOHOMISH COUNTY]
Merry Chris Mouse, Dec. 17–18
See. Dec. 2. Bellevue Youth Theatre, [EASTSIDE]
The Christmas Revels, Dec. 17–21
Puget Sound Revels’ annual show highlights a different holiday tradition each year. This year, enter the world of old Bavaria, whose Christmas legends include Sankt Nikolaus and his trickster helper Knecht Ruprecht. Features music, street theater and chorale work. Ages 5 and older. $12–$27. Rialto Theater, Tacoma. [SOUTH SOUND]
Magical Strings, Dec. 19
See Dec. 4. $12–$26. The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. [BELLEVUE]
A Festival of Lessons & Carols, Dec. 21
Northwest Boychoir, Vocalpoint! Seattle and members of Northwest Sinfonia perform the story of the Nativity, with readings, choral pieces and carol sing-alongs. No children younger than 5. $33–$81. Benaroya Hall, Seattle. [SEATTLE]
A Medieval Christmas, Dec. 23
An hour-long performance for families featuring Seattle Historical Arts for Kids director Shulamit Kleinerman, vielle; soprano Rebekah Gilmore and Jacob Breedlove on the hurdy-gurdy. All ages. $5–$10. Town Hall Seattle, [SEATTLE]
Sleeping Beauty, Dec. 28–29
Ballet Bellevue performs the classic romantic ballet, with music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Petipa. Ages 8 and older. $11. The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. [EASTSIDE]
