During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take a breather to also enjoy our mini arts boom — the numerous holiday-themed theater, dance and music performances that are often family-friendly and affordable. It’s an opportunity to create a new holiday arts tradition as well as to revisit old favorites. (Note: Events are ordered chronologically, by opening date. And see our Holiday page for dozens more ideas for holiday fun.)
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol
Nov. 16–Dec. 29
Sherlock is the new Scrooge in this mystery/Christmas tale by local playwright John Longenbaugh. $29–$37. Taproot Theatre. [SEATTLE]
Inspecting Carol
Nov. 23–Dec. 23
Seattle Rep’s quirky annual Christmas production is a spoof about a struggling theater’s annual slapdash production of A Christmas Carol. $12–$45. Bagley Wright Theatre. [SEATTLE]
A Christmas Carol
Nov. 23–Dec. 30
A annual, well-loved retelling of Dickens’ classic holiday tale (but prepare younger kids for a scary ghost of Jacob Marley). $27–$50. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. ACT — A Contemporary Theatre. [SEATTLE]
’Twas the Night
Nov. 24–Dec. 16
From the team that created the clever StoryBook Theater musicals, a funny spin on the familiar holiday poem. $14. Ages 4 and older. Studio East Mainstage Theater. [KIRKLAND]
Clara and the Nutcracker
Nov. 30–Dec. 2 and Dec. 7–9
A theater production of the story behind the famous ballet. Bellevue Youth Theatre. Meydenbauer Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
The Winter Wonderettes
through Dec. 30
A nostalgic Christmas revue of late-’50s and early-’60s music. All ages. ArtsWest Playhouse. [SEATTLE]
Cinderella
Nov. 30–Dec. 23
A musical British pantomime version of the traditional Christmas show, designed for the whole family. $10–$28. Centerstage Theatre, Knutzen Family Theatre. [FEDERAL WAY]
Miracle on 34th Street
Nov. 30–Dec. 23
See the holiday classic about a Macy’s holiday Santa on stage. $15–$25. Ages 5 and older. Tacoma Little Theatre. [TACOMA]
Elf
Nov. 30–Dec. 31
The funny, warm-hearted holiday tale of the elf who, after learning he’s human, sets off to find his real family. $67–$157. 5th Avenue Theatre. [SEATTLE]
The Gingerbread Boy
Dec. 1–2, 15–16, 22–23
Thistle Theatre’s annual holiday bunraku puppet show about a magical world of candy, cookies and ice cream. $8–$10. All ages. Thistle Theatre. [SEATTLE, BELLEVUE]
Emerald Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 1–2, 8–9
A production of the classic with guest artists from San Francisco Ballet and New York’s American Ballet Theatre. $15–$35. Northshore Performing Arts Center. [BOTHELL]
Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 1
A 35-minute Seattle Symphony Tiny Tots holiday concert by talented Kindermusik educators, including a musical sing-along story. $12. Ages newborn–5. Benaroya Hall. [SEATTLE]
Sounds of the Season
Dec. 2
The Tacoma Youth Chorus returns for Tacoma Symphony Orchestra’s annual collage of seasonal musical delights. $24–$77. All ages. Tacoma Symphony, Pantages Theater. [TACOMA]
Light the Candles
Dec. 2, 9, 12
Seattle Jewish Chorale’s interactive, family-friendly Hanukkah concert, featuring holiday songs in Hebrew, English, Yiddish and Ladino. Seattle Jewish Chorale. $6–$12. [WEST SEATTLE, OLYMPIA, BELLEVUE]
LUCO Family Holiday Concert & Sing-Along
Dec. 2
The excellent, all-volunteer Lake Union Civic Orchestra leads an afternoon of festive holiday music, including plenty of classic carols for a sing-along. $13–$18. Town Hall Seattle. [SEATTLE]
The Nutcracker
Dec. 1–2, 8–9, 14–16
Evergreen City Ballet’s traveling production of the classic ballet is a period piece that includes the costumed party scene, a snow scene and the Waltz of the Flowers. (One-hour performances for the very young are in Kirkland on Dec. 1–2.) $12–$19. Evergreen City Ballet. [KIRKLAND, AUBURN, RENTON]
Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant
Dec. 4–23
Tiny Owen Meany’s unwavering determination to play the baby Jesus in the church Christmas pageant leads to side-splittingly hilarious adventures. $23–$37. Book-It Theatre, Center Theatre. [SEATTLE]
A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Dec. 6–24
Stone Soup Theatre presents a new version of the holiday classic, showcasing colorful characters, family dynamics and live Christmas music. Stone Soup Theatre. $10–$20. [SEATTLE]
Black Nativity
Dec. 6–23
This production of the gospel-song play by noted American poet and novelist Langston Hughes features the powerful voices of pastor Patrinell Wright and the Black Nativity choir. $22.50–$37.50. STG Presents at The Moore Theatre. [SEATTLE]
Holiday Pops with the Seattle Symphony
Dec. 6–9
A collection of seasonal favorites, led by newly announced Seattle Symphony principal pops conductor Jeff Tyzik. $19 and up. Benaroya Hall. [SEATTLE]
Awake the Voice, Awake the String!
Dec. 7
Enjoy a Northwest Girlchoir holiday-music concert for choir, harp and string quartet. Northwest Girl Choir at Seattle First Presbyterian Church. [SEATTLE]
Festival of Lessons & Carols
Dec. 7–23
In a nine-concert series around the Seattle area, Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle perform the story of the Nativity, with readings, choral pieces and carol sing-alongs. $10–$25. NW Choirs. [SEATTLE]
The Nutcracker
Dec. 7–29
Gorgeous costumes, sets by Maurice Sendak, a snowfall every performance and impeccable dancing make this the region’s gold standard Nutcracker. $22–$130. Pacific Northwest Ballet, McCaw Hall. [SEATTLE]
Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Dec. 7
One thousand carolers and dozens of caroling teams sing their hearts out on downtown Seattle street corners and in and around Westlake Center, followed by a sing-off. Free. [DOWNTOWN SEATTLE]
The Nutcracker
Dec. 8, 15–16, 22–23
A full-length traditional production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday ballet, with guest artists. $20–$30. Olympic Ballet Theatre. [ARLINGTON, EDMONDS, EVERETT]
Seattle Pro Musica’s Family Holiday Concert
Dec. 8
A one-hour concert featuring traditional carols, an audience sing-along and young choral singers joining the performance. $5–$25. Town Hall Seattle. [SEATTLE]
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 8, 15, 22
A one-hour original adaptation of the classic designed to appeal to even the youngest theatergoers. $27. SecondStory Repertory. [REDMOND]
The Nutcracker
Dec. 8–9, 15–16, 22–23
The Tacoma City Ballet performs the ballet with the traditional Russian choreography, in concert with the acclaimed Northwest Sinfonietta. Tacoma City Ballet, Pantages Theater. $19–$60. [TACOMA]
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Dec. 7–24
Seattle Public Theater’s annual holiday show about the infamous Herdman clan, which takes over the church pageant. $17–$25. Seattle Public Theater, The Bathhouse Theater. [SEATTLE]
Reilly & Maloney Holiday Concert
Dec. 8
Two free one-hour concerts by the West Coast American folk duo of Ginny Reilly and David Maloney. Crossroads Bellevue Market Stage. Reilly and Maloney [BELLEVUE]
Gift of Dance Concert
Dec. 9
Kaleidoscope Dance Company performs an all-ages holiday production featuring dancers ages 7–16 who helped choreograph a show of imaginative dance. $6–$9. Shorewood High School. Creative Dance Center [SHORELINE]
Holiday Traditions
Dec. 9
The Tacoma Concert Band presents a holiday concert featuring mezzo-soprano Dawn Padula. $13–$34. Tacoma Concert Band, Rialto Theater. [TACOMA]
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Dec. 13–24
Lakewood Playhouse’s production of the comic Christmas play about a church Christmas pageant colliding with the inventively awful Herdman kids. Lakewood Playhouse. $18–$24. [LAKEWOOD]
Handel’s Messiah
Dec. 14–16
The Seattle Symphony Chorale and distinguished vocal soloists perform “Messiah,” including the exultant “Hallelujah” chorus. Stephen Stubbs conducts. $24 and up. Benaroya Hall. [SEATTLE]
Handel’s Messiah
Dec. 14
An all-star list of vocal soloists
performs one of the most beloved oratorios of all time. $25. All ages. Tacoma Symphony, St. Charles Borromeo Church. [TACOMA]
Strike the Harp and Join the Chorus!
Dec. 16
Sing along with all of Northwest Girlchoir’s choir levels in this joyful celebration of holiday choral music, accompanied by strings and harp. Northwest Girlchoir, Meany Theater. [SEATTLE]
KPC’s Old-Time Holiday Show
Dec. 14–16
An annual variety show with clowns, jugglers, comedians and choirs. $18–$30. All ages. Kirkland Performance Center. [KIRKLAND]
The Nutcracker
Dec. 14–16, 19–23
Brilliant costumes and sets from Ukraine, and principal dancers from Russia. $25–$50. All ages. International Ballet Theatre, Meydenbauer Center Theatre. [BELLEVUE]
Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies Rockin’ in a Winter Wonderland
Dec. 15
An afternoon holiday concert by the award-winning Seattle-based children’s recording artist. $6. Ages 4–12. Auburn Avenue Theatre. [AUBURN]
Big Top Rock
Dec. 15–16, 23, Jan. 4–6
ZinZanni’s second annual “Big Top Rock” show for kids blends circus arts with music by local kid bands Caspar Babypants, The Harmonica Pocket and The Not-Its! $19–$24. Teatro ZinZanni. [SEATTLE]
Sleeping Beauty and the Pea
Dec. 15–Jan. 13
The Fremont Players’ annual holiday “panto” is a rowdy, irreverent and family-friendly musical mash-up of two fairy tales, for which vigorous audience participation is encouraged. $6–$12. All ages. Hale’s Palladium. [FREMONT]
Seattle Girls’ Choir’s Annual Holiday Concert
Dec. 15
All six Seattle Girls’ Choir levels will fill Town Hall with song. $15–$20. Town Hall Seattle [SEATTLE]
Magical Strings’ Celtic Yuletide Concert
Dec. 15
A lively seasonal gala of Irish music, dance, juggling and storytelling centered on the rich magical sounds of Celtic harps and hammered dulcimers. $12–$28. Town Hall Seattle. [SEATTLE]
The Christmas Revels
Dec. 15–16, 18–19
A timeless celebration drawing on many centuries of English song, dance, foolery and drama. $14–$29. Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Rialto Theater. [TACOMA]
An Irish Christmas with Eileen Ivers
Dec. 18
Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers creates a holiday program that showcases a unique Irish-fusion sound. $31 and up. Benaroya Hall. SEATTLE]
Moscow Boys Choir
Dec. 19
One of Russia’s most prestigious all-boy choirs sings holiday favorites. $25–$35. Edmonds Center for the Arts. [EDMONDS]
Garfield High School Jazz Band
Dec. 23
Seasonal sounds by the esteemed Garfield High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Seattle’s own jazz great, Clarence Acox. Free. Garfield Jazz at The Armory, Seattle Center. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Handel’s Messiah
Dec. 28–29
Bellevue Ballet presents an opéra-ballet version of the classic, as a Northwest premiere. $25–$45. Theatre at Meydenbauer Center. [BELLEVUE]
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Dec. 28–30
Talented tango dancers kick off a festive concert, followed by Beethoven’s uplifting final symphony with its famous “Ode to Joy” chorus. $28 and up. Benaroya Hall. [SEATTLE]
The Dickens Carolers
Dec. 29
A quartet of Victorian-costumed carolers sings popular seasonal music. Free. Seattle Center. [SEATTLE CENTER]
Kindie New Year
Dec. 29
Rock in 2013 with a kindiependent celebration and concert by The Not-Its! Kindiependent at The Mount Baker Community Center. [SEATTLE]
