With numerous groups on tour, professional companies and neighborhood troupes, Houston is a hub for the performing arts. Check out these holiday performances happening throughout the city this season, from reimagined musicals to classic scripts.
Ballet, musicals and theater
‘A Christmas Carol’
Encounter the true meaning of Christmas with Ebenezer Scrooge as he visits the past, present and future at Alley Theatre this holiday season. The show lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. Children under 6 years old will not be admitted.
- Dec. 6-28, times vary
- $36-$138 (per ticket)
- Hubbard Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., Houston
- www.alleytheatre.org
‘The Nutcracker’
Performed by the Houston Ballet, “The Nutcracker” follows classic holiday characters Clara and the Prince, and their fight against the Rat King. The show features hundreds of characters, intricate set designs and music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
The Houston Ballet has performed “The Nutcracker” for more than 50 years. (Courtesy Houston Ballet)
Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’
Presented by the Theatre Under the Stars, the Broadway musical features holiday numbers the whole family can enjoy. The show follows two friends as they try to save a snow-dusted Vermont inn and is based on music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.
‘Take The Soul Train To Christmas’
The musical performance by The Ensemble Theatre takes viewers back through time to witness how African Americans have celebrated Christmas throughout history. The show is a G-rated musical featuring African drumming, Harlem Renaissance jazz and hip-hop battle sounds.
‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’
The family-friendly holiday performance blends a Broadway-style musical with contemporary circus artistry and showcases soaring acrobatics, gravity-defying feats and musical numbers.
- Dec. 23-24, times vary
- $46-$126.50 (per ticket)
- Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St., Houston
- www.cirquedreams.com
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
Presented by Queensbury Theatre, the 90-minute special follows Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts crew as they discover what Christmas is all about. The show is followed by an encore performance of classic holiday hits.
Kid-friendly performances
“The Story” at Houston’s First Baptist Church has four different showtimes. (Courtesy Houston’s First Baptist Church)
‘The Story’
The Broadway-style musical shows the adventures of a young boy searching for peace within his dreams through dances, holiday hits and original numbers. The show runs for two hours with one intermission. Child care is available for infants.
- Dec. 12-14, times vary
- $13-$38 (per ticket)
- Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston
- www.houstonsfirst.org
‘A Christmas Carol’ for Kids
The kid-friendly adaptation of the classic holiday show uses 12 large puppets to tell the story of Ebony Scrooge, a teenage millionaire who cares more about her money than the people in her life.
- Dec. 16-17, times vary
- $17.95-$19.95 (per ticket)
- Brown Auditorium, 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston
- www.cmhouston.org
Oh, What Fun!
The holiday concert for kids features sing-alongs to festive favorites, free hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. The event presented by the Houston Symphony will also offer arts and crafts and an instrument petting zoo.
Concerts, orchestras and symphonies
‘Elf’ In Concert
The Houston Symphony is performing live every note of John Debney’s score in the beloved Christmas movie “Elf”, as the film plays on a giant screen. The movie follows Buddy the Elf, who travels to New York to find his real father.
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the concert showcases a rock, classical and theatrical spectacle, with pyrotechnics, lasers and holiday storytelling. The orchestra will perform two shows in Houston as part of its Christmas tour.
Carols on the Green
As part of Home for the Holidays at Discovery Green, the Houston Grand Opera is performing a holiday concert sing-along. This year’s show will celebrate Latin American culture and include traditional Spanish songs, carols and mariachi.
Neighborhood talent
‘Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas At Pemberley’
Following characters from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”, the play revolves around Mr. Darcy’s younger sister, Georgiana, and the youngest Bennet sister, Kitty. Children under 9 years old will not be admitted.
‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’
Presented by Company OnStage, the performance displays the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf and a spunky little girl who visit the North Pole and refuse to take no for an answer.
“The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!” is suitable for children in kindergarten and above. (Courtesy Main Street Theater)
‘The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!’
The family-friendly show about a pigeon’s holiday festivities includes fun tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts and audience antics. The performance runs for an hour and a half and includes one intermission.