10 Seattle Holiday Shows to Get You in the Christmas Spirit

The weather outside may be starting to look a little frightful, but the holiday activities in Seattle are delightful. Skip cuddling by the fire and get in the holiday spirit by gathering your family and friends to catch a fanciful ballet, watch a touching holiday show or listen to soaring music. Whether you want to continue an old tradition with the classics or try something new, here is our recommendation for 10 holiday shows you won’t want to miss!

Pacific Northwest Ballet

With a company of nearly 50 talented dancers who perform in over 100 shows each year, the Pacific Northwest Ballet is a must for any lover of this artistic form. Catch the holiday classic, The Nutcracker to see George Balanchine’s enchanting rendition of Clara and the Nutcracker’s magical story set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved original score.

Perfect for all ages, stunning sets (including Chihuly’s Winter Star) will take your breath away, while your kids will be twirling to the sounds of the waltz of the sugar plum fairies and dreaming of their own Nutcrakcer prince long after the show is over.

• The Nutcracker: November 25 – December 28

ACT

Ring in the season at A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) with renditions of iconic stage plays and local theater productions. ACT’s family-friendly A Christmas Carol  keeps the 100-year-plus Dickens’ classic alive, along with its themes of hope, introspection, compassion and redemption.

Need a break from holiday stress or the daily grind? Add a little laughter to your life with the hiliarious Ham for the Holidays: Jurassic Pork.  A long-time Seattle favorite, the holiday sketch comedy that mixes social satire, musical parody and campy characters to deliver an unforgettably unique holiday experience.

• A Christmas Carol: November 25 – December 28
• Ham for the Holidays: December 8 – 24
  

Seattle Symphony

Boasting equally sweet vocals and instrumentals, the Seattle Symphony will fulfill your desire for a beautiful holiday symphonic experience this year. If you’re in the mood for a holiday favorite, pick up tickets for Rob Kapilow’s orchestration of The Polar Express, which features delightful vocal work by the Northwest Boychoir Apprentices.

Looking for more fun? Seattle Symphony’s holiday calendar is as rich and diverse as a four-course turkey dinner. Treat yourself to a chorale performance of Handel’s Messiah or Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons accompanied by renowned tango dancers. For something a little different, attend the humor-filled Holiday Pops or New Year’s Eve Classical Soul of Motown showcasing the sounds of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Tina Turner.

• The Polar Express: Dec. 3
• Holiday Pops: Dec. 10
  
• Handel’s Messiah: Dec. 16 – 18
• Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons: Dec. 28  – 29
• New Year’s Eve Classical Soul of Motown: Dec. 31

Seattle Public Theater at The Bathhouse

Home to the Seattle Public Theater, Green Lake’s Bathhouse offers a few innovative shows to add to your holiday repertoire this season. The sidesplitting The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a story about a group of delinquent siblings who end up being assigned roles in their Sunday school’s Christmas play, is a local favorite that is sure to leave your kids (and you) rolling in the aisles. If you are looking for a little mystery, the Christmastown: A Holiday Noir  is a fun-filled holiday romp that takes a hard-boiled detective and drops him into a world of holiday shenanigans in the fictional Christmastown.

• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Dec. 10 – 24
• Christmastown: A Holiday Noir: Dec. 1 – 24

With shows galore taking over Seattle-area stages this season, there is no shortage of festive entertainment. Tune-up your holiday vibes with classic dance, symphonic reimaginings and some of the funniest seasonal productions on stage. No matter which show you choose, the sweet, merry sounds are sure to spark your family’s joy and elevate everyone’s spirits.