24 Fantastic Seattle-Area Shows to See Before 2024 Ends

“Snow White and the Three Dwarves”

The Fremont Players are back with another original show in the British pantomime tradition. Usually performed during the holidays, pantos are rarely holiday stories. Instead they are wacky, noisy productions layering song, dance, slapstick and topical humor over the plot of a fractured fairy tale.

Date: Dec. 7–Jan. 5
Cost: $15–$25
Location: Sunset Hill Community Hall, Seattle 

“Beauty and the Beast”

Centerstage Theatre is bringing back family-favorite holiday panto “Beauty and the Beast.” If you’ve never seen a panto before, be warned — this is not your Disney fairy tale. Instead of sweeping romance, expect side-splitting comedy with over-the-top caricatures and pop culture references.

Date: Nov. 30–Dec. 22
Cost: $17–$40
Location: Knutzen Family Theatre, Federal Way

Grand Kyiv Ballet

The dancers of the Grand Kyiv Ballet were on tour when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, they have made their temporary home in Bellevue and maintained an almost constant touring schedule. This fall, they are performing two classical ballets: “The Nutcracker” and “The Snow Queen.” It’s not often that local audiences have an opportunity to see dancers accustomed to the stages of the Opera National de Paris and the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. And taking that opportunity helps to preserve the artistic heritage of a free and independent Ukraine.

“The Nutcracker”
Date: Dec. 10–12
Cost: $53–$63
Location: Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland.

“The Snow Queen”
Date: Dec. 28–29
Cost: $37–$92
Location: Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds.

Date: Dec. 24
Cost: $40 and up
Location: Paramount Theatre, Seattle. 

“A Very Die Hard Christmas”

It’s an age-old question as divisive as pineapple on pizza: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? Whichever side you pick, there’s no question that “A Very Die Hard Christmas” is a uniquely Seattle holiday tradition. If your family likes action-packed Christmas entertainment loaded with ’80s jokes, soft rock jams and snarky German terrorists, this is the holiday show for you.

Date: Nov. 22–Dec. 22
Cost: $10–$100
Location: Seattle Public Theater, Seattle

“Cirque Dreams – Holidaze”

This whimsical show combines a Broadway-style production with contemporary circus arts made relevant for the holidays with contemporary twists on seasonal favorites songs, like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells.”

Date: Dec. 6–7
Cost: $39–$115
Location: Paramount Theatre, Seattle