Copied to Clipboard
In Philly, catching a holiday show is more than just seasonal entertainment: It’s a cherished tradition.
With deep-rooted theater history and a wealth of venues, Philadelphia’s theater scene offers everything from Broadway productions to intimate performances — and the holidays are no exception.
Stages across the region embrace the holiday spirit with an enticing array of seasonal offerings. Delight in holiday classics like George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music and An American Christmas Songbook at the Bristol Riverside Theater.
For family-friendly fun, don’t miss Elf: The Broadway Musical at the Walnut Street Theatre and Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the Miller Theater.
Read on for our guide to can’t-miss shows this 2024 holiday season in Philadelphia.
As Buddy says, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Help do just that during this fun musical version of the Will Ferrell holiday film classic telling a story of family, forgiveness, redemption and identity.
One of my family’s favorite Christmas movies is Elf, so when I saw it was coming to the Walnut Street theater, I immediately added it to our holiday to-do list. And, son of a nutracker, did Buddy the Elf and his friends deliver big. This show is a feel-good gem, complete with catchy music, a fun set and all the best lines from the beloved film. We all left smiling, and that’s a good thing because smiling’s our favorite!
Where: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate the season with a Victorian murder mystery as Ebenezer Scrooge meets his untimely demise, unsolved until Sherlock Holmes shows up at Scrooge’s nephew’s holiday party asking for your help to uncover the mystery.
Where: Red Rūm Theater, 601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
You know all the songs, from You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch to Welcome Christmas. Catch this family-friendly production based on the beloved animated special starring all your favorites, including Max the Dog and a who’s-who of Whos.
Where: Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
This immersive reimagining of a classic film features the crew of a radio station performing It’s A Wonderful Life on air in the 1940s. The heartwarming story comes to life through creative voice acting and live sound effects, in a show sprinkled with musical interludes and holiday cheer. Look forward to pre-show receptions on December 12 and 19. Plus, shows on December 12 through 15 offer open captioning.
Where: Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media, PA
It’s time! The Queen of Christmas brings her iconic voice to Philly this holiday season to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her chart-topping album Merry Christmas. Known for her powerful vocals and festive spirit, Mariah takes the stage with fan favorites, including her timeless anthem, All I Want for Christmas Is You.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Last year’s sold-out sensation returns for another holiday season celebrating the Borscht Belt era with jokes and bits made famous by some of comedy’s most legendary performers from Dangerfield to Youngman.
Where: Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA
The Rock School for Dance presents Clara Stahlbaum’s vivid dream of a fairytale featuring an international cast of award-winning artists from the world-renowned organization and featuring light narration, Tchaikovsky’s timeless music and choreography modeled after Marius Petipa’s original.
Enjoy the classic Scrooge story reimagined as an hour-long musical adaptation for kids that uses traditional holiday songs to highlight the magical story of three ghosts tasked with changing the selfish ways of an old cranky miser.
The sleigh bells are ringing. Are you listening? Celebrate the holiday season in this all-ages music revue-style production featuring all the most singalongable wintry tunes performed by a cast full of talent, cheer and probably a little too much hot cocoa.
Where: Media Theatre, 104 E. State Street, Media, PA
It’s just not the holidays in Philly without the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mouse King and all the magical inhabitants of The Land of Sweets personified by the world-class Philadelphia Ballet dancers.
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dress the kids in their holiday best to join in The Philadelphia Orchestra’s joyful celebration of the season with singalongs and special guests (maybe one from the North Pole?) during this heartwarming performance for children of all ages.
Where: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
The sounds of the season take on a soulful vibe as Ensemble Arts presents this 11th-annual music-filled soul showcase led by creator and artistic director Dr. J. Donald Dumpson.
Meet Chris Davis, the 40-year-old ballerina who wrote and choreographed this original one-man retelling of the classic holiday Nutcracker story. Davis plays the roles of daughter Marie, little boy Fritz, creepy uncle Drosselmeyer, the mice, the Sugar Plum fairy and more — all by himself.
Where: The Drake, 1512 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA
In an annual Bristol tradition, actor Demetria Joyce Bailey and singer Philip Chaffin host a showcase of fabulous vocalists and talented musicians performing a season’s worth of favorite carols and heartwarming holiday songs.
Where: Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA
Presented by Shakespeare in Clark Park, this one-woman show promises the merriest Christmas ever in a production that blends (almost) every single holiday story you can recall into one crisp and festive show.
It’s a rousing good time as Philly’s own Na’Zir McFadden and the No Name Pops (formerly the Philly Pops) perform traditional carols and popular newer tunes with Broadway vocalists Nikki Renee Daniels and Jeff Kready, the St. Thomas Gospel Choir, and a special jolly guest from the North Pole.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s annual holiday program stages lively renditions of Christmas classics to celebrate the joy of the holiday season, a Philly tradition since 1962.
The Nutcracker, but make it tap. All-female Philadelphia tap company Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble presents an all-tap modernized version of the holiday favorite set in rodent-infested Paris to Duke Ellington’s version of the classic score.
Where: Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Based on the classic poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, ’Twas the Night Before… was Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever holiday showcase. The troupe’s delicate version of the story tells of a jaded young girl rediscovering the magic of the holidays through thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters and a musical soundtrack filled with holiday classics re-invented by Cirque. The event, coming to The Met Philadelphia, is a festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families.
Where: The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
A more classical Christmas presentation, The Philadelphia Orchestra (plus soloists and chorus members) offer an interpretation of the 1741 George Frideric Handel choral holiday masterwork.
Say goodbye to 2024 and “hey” to 2025 with conductor Marin Alsop and The Philadelphia Orchestra as you ring in the new year during a party full of hits, classics and a rousing Auld Lang Syne singalong as the clock hits midnight.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.