This is a week ahead of the official launch of Blogmas, but it seemed timely to have it go up now. The holiday season is rife with many traditions for most of us. We like to do the same things and see the same people and eat the same things. However, I would like to suggest a (possibly) new tradition for you. Holiday theatre shows are a wonderful way to spend time with those you love, support the performing arts community, and do something out of the ordinary. Today I’m sharing some holiday theatre shows that may be at a theatre near you!
If you regularly go to the theatre, this might not be a special outing for you. But for most of us, the theatre seems to be a luxury now. Opportunities will vary based on where you are, but you should have some options. If you exchange gifts earlier, tickets to a performance together are a lovely gift.
The Nutcracker
Would I be myself if I did not suggest The Nutcracker? The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition for many for good reason. This holiday-themed ballet is a holiday staple for most ballet companies. And if you do not have a resident company in your city or area, many travelling companies tour The Nutcracker from October to January. Although the core of the ballet is the same, many companies will have unique interpretations and will often tweak and update their productions.
If you want to know about the history of The Nutcracker, you can find more in my post here: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/the-history-of-the-nutcracker/.
Touring Musical Artists
I just quickly googled my city to see if any musical artists were doing Christmas shows and in less than a minute I found 8 different bands of various levels of fame who will be here at some point during the holiday season to do a concert. Obviously, not all bands will shift into the holiday mode, but many will have a themed performance/tour during the season. (And many groups who have largely retired will still do holiday performances.) Occasionally you will see a Michael Buble level performer doing a large arena-sized holiday tour, but more often than not, they are in smaller, more intimate venues.
Given that we are in the second half of November, I would look immediately if you are hoping to find tickets for a show!
Christmas-Themed Plays
When it comes to the holidays, there are usually several options. Yes, you have your standard holiday fare- A Christmas Carol and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. However, there are also many other holiday-themed plays that are not quite as “in your face” about it. Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley is one of my favourite plays, holiday or otherwise! And many theatres and companies will adapt non-holiday productions to incorporate the holiday theme without being too overt.
If you have friends and family who err more on the Grinch side of the seasonal spectrum, you should also be able to find non-holiday-themed theatre shows, as well.
Choir Concerts
If your city is anything like mine, there are far more adult choirs than you realise. Countless churches, organisations, and groups have choirs that regularly perform! (Even though many of us associate it with our younger years.) Many local choirs will host holiday performances to fundraise for their organisation or to raise money for philanthropy. (You may also find free performances!)
These performances tend to fall on the more traditional side of performances. They focus on that holiday nostalgia that many of us have, and take us back in time. Even if you do not practice any religion, these concerts are often performed by some of the best local voices and can be fantastic events.
Symphony Performances
Much like local choirs, symphonies will often have holiday performances. While it might not be the most intricate concerto possible, these holiday symphony performances are often a lot of fun. Availability will largely depend on your symphony or orchestra- some will host 2-3 weeks of holiday performances will others will only have 1-2 performances.
And both symphonies and choirs tend to find some fairly unique locations to perform in. A lot of heritage buildings actually have wonderful acoustics- you might be able to visit a building or location that is otherwise prohibited!
Pantomimes
This is going to be very region-specific. If you live in the UK or Ireland, you probably will have several different pantomimes to choose from. (While it is a beloved tradition in the Isles, it has not really been translated elsewhere…) These can be held anywhere from local community halls to large-scale theatres, so you should be able to find a show to match your preferences!
If you would like to learn more about the history of pantomimes, jump here: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/history-of-pantomimes/!
Do you like to attend holiday theatre shows?
Cheers,
The Historian
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