If you love the holiday season, and you love live theater, let this list be your go-to guide.
Milwaukee is home to a very merry handful of live holiday shows that are family-friendly this season, and we’ve got the lowdown for you below:
1. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
November 24 – December 24, 2023
Presented by First Stage at the Marcus Center, Todd Wehr Theater (929. N Water St.)
The horrible Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. The entire town panics when these rowdy six siblings are cast in the church’s annual Christmas pageant.
It’s up to good-hearted Mrs. Bradley to help the Herdmans – and the rest of the town – discover the true meaning of Christmas before it’s too late. Silent night? Not a chance, but sometimes a little joyful noise is just right for Christmas.
75 minutes + brief intermission. Suggested for adults, teens, and children ages 5-6, 7-9, 10-12.
2. Festival City Symphony Pajama Jamboree
Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 7:00pm
Marcus Performing Arts Center
Gather your family, friends and the neighbor kids for what many consider an annual tradition; The Festival City Symphony Holiday Pajama Jamboree! This year will feature old standards and traditional favorites that highlight the sounds of the winter season.
This hour-long, kid-friendly performance will include Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, Lucas Richman’s Hanukkah Festival Overture and end with Anderson’s A Christmas Festival sing-along. Tis the season to be jolly!
3. A Christmas Carol
November 28 – December 24, 2022 at the Pabst Theater
A Christmas Carol is one of the best-known and loved stories in the English language.
During the course of one memorable Christmas Eve, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help Scrooge discover that it is never too late to change his miserly ways.
Enchanting music, dance, costumes, scenery and special effects will once again fill the theater to tell this timeless tale of love, hope and redemption.
Get tickets to A Christmas Carol >>
4. The Nutcracker
December 8 – 26th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center
After a year of eager anticipation, Michael Pink’s brand-new interpretation of The Nutcracker is here for the holidays.
Updated choreography, lavish new costumes,awe-inspiring sets, and more make this revamped classic one of the grandest debuts Milwaukee Ballet has ever celebrated!
Join the Milwaukee Ballet for the world premiere of The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium and experience Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition like you never have before.
Get tickets to The Nutcracker >>
5. ‘Twas the Night Before Cirque de Soleil
November 24-25, 2023 at the Miller High Life Theatre
‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays.
A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters – and a soundtrack including holiday classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil. The show was conceived and is directed by Cirque du Soleil Senior Artistic Director James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater.
6. Elf in Concert
November 24-26, 2023 | Bradley Symphony Center
Experience your favorite Christmas film transformed with the music of a live symphony orchestra in Elf™ in Concert!
For the first time ever, audiences can rediscover the magic of this holiday classic while a live symphony orchestra performs John Debney’s wonderful score and Santa Claus soars across the big screen in high-definition.
