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:
November 18-December 31, 2022
Admission: $21-$90
Ring in the holidays with a brand-new musical revue at the Skylight Music Theatre, featuring 30 favorite songs from Disney’s biggest Broadway hits. A cast of phenomenal singers, including an ensemble of talented youth performers, will celebrate the season in style with a festive holiday party for the ages.
Get Tickets to A Jolly Holiday >>
November 25 – December 24, 2022
Presented by First Stage at the Marcus Center, Todd Wehr Theater (929. N Water St.)
First Stage welcomes back this live, musical rendition of the 1964 television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with all the colorful characters audiences know and love. Rudolph and friend will flee the Abominable Snow Monster, save Christmas, and remind us that what makes us difference is what makes us special.
There will be a Pay-What-You-Choose performance on December 1st, a sensory friendly performance on December 10th, a Grandparent Holiday Brunch December 11th, and an ASL Interpreted Performance on December 18th.
Get Tickets to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer >>
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 7:00pm
Marcus Performing Arts Center
Bring your family, friends, and little ones to a fun holiday concert of music celebrating the festive season of light with holiday, Christmas, and Hanukkah music from throughout the centuries and from around the globe.
The orchestra will perform Joy to the World, Frosty the Snowman, music from The Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride, and other holiday favorites. Festival City Symphony will get your whole family in the spirit of the season as we usher in the most festive time of the year!
December 1-18th at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove (700 Wall St.)
You’ve seen the movie, now see it live and in person!
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole where he is raised. The beloved elf wannabe is unaware that he is actually a human until his poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
Get tickets to Elf, The Musical >>
November 29 – 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 >>
December 10 – 24th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center
Shake off the winter chill and gather again with friends and family for one of Milwaukee’s favorite holiday traditions.
Dancers from around the world create a winter wonderland in this timeless story, steeped in festive cheer.
This is the 25th and final year of the current production, before an all-new Nutcracker takes the stage in 2023.
Get tickets to The Nutcracker >>
November 26th, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Marcus Performing Arts Center
The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s 130-year-old ballet reimagined as a holiday dance spectacle, will travel to 30 cities this fall to celebrate the show’s 10th season, including a stop at the Marcus Performing Arts Center on November 26 at 7:30pm.