Don your favorite holiday duds for 25 holiday shows and performances that are sure to get you in the spirit throughout the 2023 holiday season.
Haul out the holly! Deck the halls! Roast the chestnuts!
The holidays are upon us and Houston’s performing arts organizations have pulled out all the stops, offering a series of Christmas- and holiday-themed shows designed to put you into the spirit of the season.
All around the city, there are opportunities to celebrate with family and friends, and cheer on the artists on stage.
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Top 25 Christmas Shows & Holiday Performances: November & December 2023
- Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley at Main Street Theater | Saturday, November 18 | Ongoing – The final chapter in the beloved Christmas at Pemberley series explores the friendship between Mr. Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana and the youngest Bennet sister Kitty. As the family gatherers at Pemberley for Christmas, the two young women eagerly await the arrival of Georgiana’s secret correspondent, Henry Grey. When he arrives to a chilly welcome from Mr. Darcy, Georgiana fears her chance for love is lost. This production runs through Sunday, December 17. $39 and up. Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 3pm.
- A Motown Christmas at Ensemble Theatre | Saturday, November 18 | Ongoing – This family-friendly holiday revue blends traditional carols with that distinctive Motown sound, with hits made famous by the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye and more. This production runs through Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.
- A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre | Saturday, November 18 | Ongoing – The beloved Charles Dickens holiday classic returns to the stage, telling the story of the miserly Scrooge and, with a series of visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, how he learns the true meaning of the holiday season. This production runs through Saturday, December 30. $29 and up. Showtimes vary.
- A.D. Players presents A Texas Carol at the George Theater | Wednesday, November 22 | Ongoing – This holiday take is back by popular demand. It’s the story of the Dinkel family, gathering at Mee-Maw Jane’s East Texas ranch for what could be her very last Christmas. But when the first family guests arrive, they find she’s already gone. Can they keep her death a secret from everyone else and keep up the holiday spirit? This production runs through Saturday, December 23. $25 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Wortham Center | Friday, November 24 | Ongoing – This dazzling production of the beloved ballet recounts the story of Clara, gifted a magical nutcracker one Christmas Eve, and the adventures she encounters in the Land of Sweets. See why Tchaikovsky’s score has captivated audiences around the world for more than a century. This production runs through Wednesday, December 27. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Paul Hope Cabaret presents We Need a Little Christmas at Ovations Night Club | Monday, November 27 | Ongoing – Spend a Monday night with the sounds of the season, as the artists of this cabaret troupe offer their first-ever holiday concert. Expect a blend of familiar carols and rarely heard gems. This production runs through Monday, December 11. $25 and up. 7:30pm.
- TUTS presents The Ugly X-mas Sweater Musical at Hobby Center | Tuesday, November 28 | Ongoing – This all-new, original musical, written by TUTS artistic director Dan Knechtges and Megan Larche Dominick explores the antics at a company that’s been bought out by an international conglomerate. In this mash-up between The Office and Project Runway, the employees must devise the ugliest Christmas sweater ever to save their jobs. This production runs through Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
- A Christmas Carol at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2 – This new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic tells the beloved story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who finds he must re-evaluate his life after being visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. $30 and up. Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 3pm.
- Music Box Theater presents A Beatles Holiday Cabaret at Queensbury Theatre | Friday, December 1 | Ongoing – Hear holiday favorites and traditional carols, coupled with your favorite Beatles tunes in original arrangements. This concert has become an annual fan favorite. This production runs through Saturday, December 23. $38 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Stages presents Panto Alicia in Wonderland at the Gordy | Friday, December 1 | Ongoing – The panto Christmas performance tradition continues, as Stages collaborates with TEATRX for this take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story. Alicia is about to make her quinceañera, but she’s feeling torn between the traditions of her family and the life she wants for herself. Then, she falls down the rabbit hole and discovers all that makes her unique. This production runs through Sunday, December 31. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Smart Financial Centre | Saturday, December 2 – This whimsical, family-friendly holiday spectacular combines the thrill of Broadway with the artistry of circus performance for an unforgettable evening. Aerial acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, acrobats and more take to the stage for a dazzling display of holiday delight. $33 and up. 4pm and 8pm.
- International Voices of Houston presents Silver Bells at MATCH | Saturday, December 2 & Sunday, December 3 – Celebrating its 25th season, the multicultural choir presents this holiday performance of festive songs in several languages, including Arabic, English, Estonian, German, Hebrew, Setswana, Spanish, Ukrainian and more. Guest soprano Jolie Rocke joins the chorus for the event. $25. Saturday at 7pm; Sunday at 3pm and 7pm.
- Peter Pan at the Rec Room | Thursday, December 7 | Ongoing – It’s Christmas in 1980s London and the Darling children are about to discover some magical things they’ve never known. This update on the classic story explores imaginative play before the internet, the power of storytelling and imagination, and how lost boys, crocodiles, pirates, parents and siblings are all part of the patchwork of life and love. This production runs through Saturday, December 30. $40 ($5 on Wednesday, December 13). 7:30pm.
- Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) at MATCH | Friday, December 8 | Ongoing – This mash-up of familiar holiday tales showcases stories you know and love, sprinkled with seasonal favorites from around the world. From carols to icons, traditions to festivities, it’s a madcap holiday romp. This production runs through Sunday, December 17. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
- Houston Pride Band presents ‘Twas the Night at MATCH | Saturday, December 9 – This concert weaves the magic of beloved holiday stories with music and song, making for an evening that will delight those from one to 92. $15. 8pm.
- City Ballet of Houston presents The Nutcracker at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10 – The annual holiday ballet returns to the Island, telling the story of a little girl named Clara, who, along with the Nutcracker Prince battles the Mouse King and is transported to the Land of Sweets. Tchaikovsky’s score has enchanted millions around the world. $25 and up; children’s tickets start at $21 for ages 12 and under. Saturday at 2pm and 6:30pm; Sunday at 2pm.
- Houston Chamber Choir presents Feliz Navidad: Christmas at the Villa at the Chapel at Villa de Matel | Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10 – The annual Christmas concert returns, bringing with it songs of joy and peace. The choir is joined by the Treble Choir of Houston for this performance featuring carols, lullabies and seasonal favorites. $45. 2:30pm and 5pm.
- Chamber Music Houston presents The King’s Singers at Rice University’s Stude Concert Hall | Tuesday, December 12 – The acclaimed a cappella ensemble returns to Houston for a holiday celebration, featuring seasonal favorites and little-known gems. First formed in 1968 at Cambridge University’s King’s College, the group has dazzled audiences around the world for more than half a century. $20 and up. 7:30pm.
- Houston Symphony presents Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker at Jones Hall | Tuesday, December 12 – The Symphony partners with Jazz Houston for this concert, showcasing the iconic composer’s take on the Tchaikovsky favorite. Originally recorded in 1960, it’s a swinging, brassy riff on a much-loved score. $38 and up. 7:30pm.
- Mercury presents Caldara’s Christmas Cantata at Multiple Locations | Thursday, December 14 to Sunday, December 17 – The early music ensemble brings this joyful 18th century Italian masterpiece to life with five incredible singers. It’s part of the organization’s Neighborhood Series, with performances across Houston, held at MATCH (Thursday, December 14), Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and the MFAH (Saturday, December 16) and Dosey Doe in the Woodlands (Sunday, December 17). $20 and up. Showtimes vary.
- A Christmas Jazz Concert with Raquel Cepeda at MATCH | Friday, December 15 – The jazz septet presents this performance of seasonal jazz tunes, Christmas songs from around the world, original jazz arrangements and original Christmas music. $25 and up. 8pm.
- Houston Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah at Jones Hall | Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17 – The holiday tradition is back with Handel’s enduring oratorio chronicling the greatest story ever told. The Houston Symphony Chorus sings alongside the orchestra, and the score features the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus. $42 and up. Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2:30pm.
- Juxtapose Arts Collective presents Believe at MATCH | Friday December 15 to Sunday, December 17 – This is the story of a young girl named Lynn, one of the Chosen Children. She and her fellow chosen ones board a magical train with a mysterious conductor that will take them to the North Pole. Along the way, they’ll encounter obstacles outward and inward, and learn valuable lessons about the most important things in life. $20. Showtimes vary.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas at Queensbury Theatre | Friday, December 15 | Ongoing – Main stage performances are back at the West Houston theater, so check out this live version of the beloved Peanuts story. It’s Christmas time, but Charlie Brown isn’t feeling the spirit. Can Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Pig Pen and the rest of the gang help him discover the true meaning of the holiday? This production runs through Saturday, December 23. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Houston Symphony presents A Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall | Wednesday, December 20 to Saturday, December 23 – The Symphony’s annual holiday offering returns, bringing with it familiar favorites to make the rafters ring. The concert features the Houston Symphony Chorus and Broadway leading lady, Mandy Gonzalez. $40 and up. 7:30pm.
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