See the latest performing arts productions and theater happenings opening across Houston from Monday, December 11 to Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Looking for ways to keep the theater calendar straight? We have you covered with this weekly roundup series tracking openings at theaters and performing arts institutions across the city of Houston.
Discover the upcoming holiday shows that are hitting stages in town with our guide to the top 25 holiday performances in 2023.
Here’s our list of must-see openings:
Top Performing Arts Openings This Week: December 11 to 17, 2023
- Ars Lyrica presents Awe & Wonder at St. Philip Presbyterian Church | Tuesday, December 12 – This concert features two major works for chorus and orchestra, one on the creation story and the other on the incarnation of Christ. Set to music by C. P. E. Bach, Friedrich Klopstock’s Morning Song on the Feast of Creation blends Enlightenment thought with Christian theology, while Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Midnight Mass for Christmas enlivens its canonic text with French carol melodies. Heinrich Biber’s Serenade of the Nightwatchman adds an expectant note to this festive holiday program. $45. 7:30pm.
- 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.
- Christmas With Masterworks, Rejoice at First Lutheran Church | Saturday, December 16 – The Houston Masterworks Chorus presents Saint-Saëns Oratorio de Noël with traditional carols and contemporary holiday favorites. Audience members are encouraged to share memories of favorite Christmases, and everyone is encouraged to sing the “Hallelujah” chorus. $35. 4pm.
- Apollo Chamber Players presents Holiday Voyage at First Congregational Church | Saturday, December 16 | FREE – Part of the ensemble’s Satellite Series of free community concerts, this holiday performance includes works from different religious traditions. The program features new music by John Cornelius, Isabelle Ganz, and Brian Nabors. 7pm.
Final Performances This Week
Paul Hope Cabaret offers the last show of We Need a Little Christmas on Monday, December 11; while Sunday, December 17 brings final curtains for Ken Ludwig’s The Games’ Afoot at Unity Theatre and Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) at MATCH.
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