Tis’ the season for celebrations, parties, and getting dressed up with your friends and family. And what’s a better excuse to wear that new holiday outfit than a festive show? North Carolina is playing host to several holiday shows at concerts both local productions and national tours making Charlotte stops. Maybe you are looking for a family night at the Nutcracker? There are several variations of the classic Christmas ballet in town. Or an adults-only night at a jazz club. The Charlotte Symphony has several holiday productions and of course, there are Charlotte classics such as the Singing Christmas Tree.
Blumenthal Performing Arts will also play host to several touring productions including Cirque shows and Debbie Gibson. No matter what type of live holiday entertainment you are looking for you can find it in Charlotte. Don’t miss this chance to make memories with your family this season. I have fond memories of attending holiday shows at Children’s Theater as a child. And one of my favorites The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is back this year. I wish I had the time (and money) to attend almost all of these! Below you will find twenty-five holiday shows and concerts coming to Charlotte and the surrounding area this season. Events are listed chronologically by start date (several have a multi-day run).
Have an event you’d like included on this list? Email full info to [email protected].
View our full list of Holiday events here. Happy Holidays!
The Real Christmas Story Dinner Theater
Where: NarroWay Theater
When: November 5th-December 30th
What: See your favorite Christmas scenes! Hear your favorite Christmas songs! Then watch in awe-stricken wonder as NarroWay beautifully re-creates “The Real Christmas Story.” And enjoy a Christmas dinner.
Cost: Adult with dinner (ages 19 – 54) $44.95, Senior with dinner (ages 55 and above), $42.95Youth with dinner (thru age 18) $24.95
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever The Musical
Where: McColl Family Theatre Imaginon
When: November 19th- December 22nd
What: The Herdmans are ready to wreak havoc! What happens when the “worst kids in the history of the world” find out about free food at Sunday school? What if they decide to audition for the annual Christmas pageant? This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy, adapted from Barbara Robinson’s classic story, will have your family laughing and crying as we celebrate the holidays.
Cost: $16-$26 per ticket
A Soulflo Christmas
Where: Studio 229 on Brevard
When: December 2nd
What: A S.O.U.L.F.L.O. Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year! Join us Friday, December 2, 2022, at Studio 229 in the Historic District of Uptown Charlotte for “A Celebration of Good Yuletide Times and Tunes.” Kick the month off with your favorite holiday classics and back down memory lane melodies with soulful originals to help you get in the Christmas mood. This event is 21+
Cost: $25-$55 for table
Charlotte Youth Ballet Nutcracker
Where: CPCC Halton Theater
When: December 2nd-4th
What: The Charlotte Youth Ballet brings to the stage its 41st annual holiday classic production of Tchaikosvky’s The Nutcracker featuring the choreography of Charlotte legend Gay Porter and Bridget Young.
Cost: $25-$35 per ticket
Handel Messiah
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 2nd-4th
What: Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green returns to the Charlotte stage to lead his world-renowned interpretation of Handel’s Messiah.
Cost: $19-$87
Academy of Dance and Fine Arts Nutcracker
Where: Mooresville Performing Arts Center
When: December 4th and 5th
What: The Academy of Dance and Fine Arts Ballet Companies presents our 11th annual Holiday Spectacular to benefit The Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center. Our Saturday Holiday Benefit Show is a holiday variety show with singers and dancers and the Nutcracker Suite to follow. The Sunday Show is the Nutcracker Ballet.
Cost: Adults $20, Children $15, Under 4 Free
A Very Dave Barnes Christmas
Where: Booth Playhouse
When: December 5th
What: For Dave Barnes, being a musician is like being the author of a Choose Your Own Adventure book. There’s no set path, so instead the singer-songwriter follows his instinct, often veering away from the well-trodden trail for somewhere more unlikely.
Cost: $20-$95 (VIP) per ticket
Debbie Gibson's Winterlicious
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 7th
What: Debbie Gibson’s first full length holiday album, Winterlicious, was released on October 21 and her holiday tour of the same name will kick off on November 25. The 14-track album contains a blend of classics, a duet of “White Christmas” with her Daddy Joe, and originals including a duet called “Heartbreak Holiday” with her other favorite Joe, Joey McIntyre.
Cost: $34-$434 (VIP Experience)
Adrian Crutchfield For You At Christmas
Where: Studio 229 on Brevard
When: December 7th
What: Join us for this exclusive evening of Christmas Magic and Jazz with Adrian Crutchfield, Wednesday December 7th at 7:00pm, live at Studio 229 on Brevard in Uptown Charlotte! Tis the season so we bring you this exclusive concert.
Cost: $35-$90 per table
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Swing
Where: Booth Playhouse
When: December 8th-10th
What: JazzArts Charlotte presents the region’s premiere of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.
Cost: $38-$45 per ticket
Singing Christmas Tree
Where: Halton Theater CPCC Charlotte
When: December 9-11th
What: The warm sounds of the season will fill the CPCC Dale F. Halton Theater as the soaring voices of MainStage Choir (in a 32’ specially-designed tree!) perform all your favorite Christmas music – from the inspirational and sacred, to the traditional, pop, and family classics. The stage will sparkle with whimsical dance, magical tricks, puppetry and special friends.
Cost: $13-$50 per ticket
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 9th-1tth
What: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together again to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Sun Records, now donned with a Christmas tree, garland, and mistletoe, rings with the sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made these four famous.
Cost: $29-$99.50 per ticket
A Christmas Carol
Where: Theater Charlotte
When: December 9th-18th
What: Celebrating its 16th year, this holiday tradition returns to its home on Queens Road with a few new surprises! Return to the streets of London with the classic tale of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge, haunted by his old partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Along with beloved characters like Fezziwig, Belle, the Cratchits, Fred, and, of course, Tiny Tim, the spirits gradually warm Scrooge’s heart as well as ours.
Cost: Adult – $30, Senior (62+) – $26, Student – $15
Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker
Where: Belk Theater
When: December 9th-23rd
What: Celebrate the sights and sounds of the holidays at Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker! This unwavering holiday spectacular is complete with extravagant sets and costumes, the treasured Tchaikovsky score, and of course, a magnificent snowfall on the Belk Theater stage.
Cost: $30-$131 per ticket
Clara's Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story
Where: Booth Playhouse
When: December 15th-20th
What: A contemporary twist on a holiday classic. Clara attends a holiday party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Flowers. At the party, she meets Beau and they dance the night away. Only one problem. Clara is a passionate dancer but not the most coordinated. She trips, falls and is whisked off to the hospital to learn that her ankle is broken. That night her friends and get-well gifts swirl in her dreams.
Cost: $30-$45 per ticket
Holiday Dreams: A Spectacular Holiday Cirque!
Where: Ovens Auditorium
When: December 15th
What: Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Cirque! was created with a loving belief that people can come together and experience the magic of the Holidays in a fun, exciting and technologically advanced show for the whole family.
Cost: $45-$90 per ticket
A Jazzy Soul Christmas
Where: CPCC Halton Theater
When: December 15th
What: Experience “A Jazzy Soul Christmas” with vocalist and national recording artist Rhonda Thomas and the dynamic saxophonist Jeff Spark! Join us for a night of holiday favorites featuring the music of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway, Nat King Cole and original songs from Rhonda and Jeff!
Cost: $25-$40
Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet
Where: Ovens Auditorium
When: December 16th
What: This Christmas, bring the whole family back to a simpler time with NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet! The acclaimed holiday tradition is LIVE in theaters for the 30 Anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-than-life puppets, breath-taking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.
Cost: $34-$74 per ticket
Charlotte Symphony Holiday Pops
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 16th-18th
What: Create lasting memories with family and friends at our all-new immersive holiday concert experience! You’ll sing along to classic holiday favorites like “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Joy to the World” with the Charlotte Master Chorale, and be dazzled by newer works like “Christmastime in Charlotte” and “The Polar Express Suite.” Santa joins your Charlotte Symphony on stage to share one of his favorite parts of the season — the spectacular glow of holiday lights — and even brings along an electrifying friend from the North Pole.
Cost: $19-$86 per ticket
Harris YMCA 20th Anniversary Nutcracker
Where: CPCC Halton Theater
When: December 17th and 18th
What: Enjoy a family-friendly performance of The Nutcracker presented by the Harris YMCA Dance Company this holiday season.
Cost: $15-$25 per ticket
Tosco Music Holiday Party
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 19th
What: Come celebrate the season with an evening of festive music and song! Since 2016, Tosco Music returns each December for our Tosco Music Holiday Party. As with all our music parties, the evening will feature more than a dozen performers and plenty of singalongs. Enjoy your favorite holiday classics, traditional Christmas carols, and discover new holiday songs too!
Cost: $18.50-$52.50 per ticket
Cirque De Noel
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 21st-23rd
What: The circus meets the symphony! Back with a fresh show filled with awe-inspiring acrobatics and musical holiday favorites, this event will fill your family with the wonder of the season.
Cost: $10-$132 per ticket
Jazz & Soul Music A Charlie Brown Christmas
Where: Middle C Jazz Club
When: December 21st and 22nd
What: Experience the classic multi-platinum album played in its entirety in the spirit of The Vince Guaraldi Trio! The Sean Mason Trio and Tyra Scott will perform A Charlie Brown Christmas live along with other jazzy holiday favorites! Join us as we celebrate the holidays and the magic of Christmas with live Jazz interpretations of your favorites including “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmastime is Here”.
Cost: $45 per ticket
Soulful Noel 10!
Where: Booth Playhouse
When: December 21st-22nd
What: This original musical revue tells the age-old story of the reason for the season. The cast of OnQ creatives re-frame tradition in a contemporary way with classics such as, Christmas Time is Here, Little Drummer Boy, and What Do the Lonely Do. Fill your cup of eggnog with some R&B, Funk, Gospel, Soul, a dash of Noel, and a lot of OnQ!
Cost: $28
Hip Hop Nutcracker
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 26th and 27th
What: A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season as it returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovksy’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.
Cost: $19.99-$59.99 per ticket
