New Jersey Holiday Shows: Special Performances for the Season

The curtain is going up on dozens of magical theater experiences this holiday season. From heartwarming Christmas musicals to dazzling holiday concerts, New Jersey is lighting up the stage like never before. Whether you're searching for The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, or other Christmas plays near you, there's a festive performance for everyone to enjoy as New Jersey’s performing arts celebrate the splendor of the season.

Make sure to mark your calendars with these must-see Christmas shows in NJ! We’ve got the lineup of modern and traditional classics, all organized in date order, so you can plan your holiday outings with ease. Don’t forget to scroll all the way down to explore even more Christmas concerts and holiday shows. Immerse yourself in a season of wow in New Jersey.

The Nutcracker

Step into a world of holiday magic with The Nutcracker! This timeless Christmas classic brings Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score and a cast of colorful characters to life in a dazzling ballet performance. Perfect for all ages, The Nutcracker whisks you away on an unforgettable journey through a world of snowflakes, toys and the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy. Don't miss this treasured holiday tradition. It’s a festive experience that will leave you spellbound.

November 29, 2024 | Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg

November 29 – December 1, 2024 | American Repertory Ballet at McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton

November 30 – December 8, 2024 (select dates) | Roxey Ballet at the Villa Victoria Theater, Ewing

December 1, 2024 | A Sensory-Friendly Performance | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

December 7 – 8, 2024 | American Repertory Ballet at Two River Theater, Red Bank

December 7 – 8, 2024 | New Jersey Ballet at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood

December 13 – 15, 2024 | Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

December 13 – 15, 2024 | Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College

December 13 – 26, 2024 (Select Dates) | New Jersey Ballet with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

December 14, 2024 | American Repertory Ballet at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton

December 14, 2024  | The Nutcracker for Young Audiences OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

December 15, 2024 | The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

December 20, 2024 | The Atlantic City Ballet at Levoy Theatre, Millville 

Atlantic City Ballet Nut Cracker

December 20 – 22, 2024 | American Repertory Ballet at the State Theatre, New Brunswick

December 20 – 22, 2024 | New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet at Centenary Stage Company’s The Sitnik Theatre of The Lackland Performing Arts Center, Hackettstown

A Christmas Carol

Experience the heartwarming magic of A Christmas Carol, the beloved holiday tale that reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his unforgettable journey of redemption as he meets the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Filled with timeless lessons and festive cheer, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to celebrate the season. It’s a holiday tradition that will warm your heart.

November 22 – December 15, 2024 | Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville

November 29 – December 15, 2024 | The Musical Centenary Stage Company’s The Sitnik Theatre of The Lackland Performing Arts Center, Hackettstown

December 4 – 29, 2024 | The Shakespeare Theatre New Jersey, Madison

December 7, 2024 | OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

December 10 – 29, 2024 | McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton

The McCarter Theatre A Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol 

December 5, 2024 | New Jersey Symphony Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

December 6, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

December 7, 2024 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

December 8, 2024 | New Jersey Symphony State Theatre, New Brunswick

December 19, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Scrooge!

December 5, 2024 | Spring Lake Theatre Company, Spring Lake

December 5 – 8, 2024 | Premier Theatre Company, Asbury Park 

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

November 1 – 17, 2024 | Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville

November 15, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville 

November 27 – 29, 2024 | Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn 

December 7 – 21, 2024 | Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan   

The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays

November 16, 2024 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

November 17, 2024 | Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood

A Johnny Mathis Christmas

December 5, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank 

December 7, 2024 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown 

Darlene Love: Love for the Holidays

December 11, 2024 | Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University

December 20, 2024 | Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Grand Kyiv Ballet’s Snow Queen

December 15, 2024 | Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton

December 23, 2024 | Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood

All Things Elf

Elf – The Musical
November 19 – 24, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Elf Jr. The Musical
December 7 – 15, 2024 (Select Dates) | Moorestown Theater Company, Moorestown

Elf Jr. the Musical
December 12-15, 2024 | Eagle Theatre, Hammonton

Or Find a New Holiday Favorite with These Festive Shows!

Holiday Doo Wop
November 9, 2024 | Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood

Frosty & Rudolph
November 9 – 23, 2024 | Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville 

Music Mountain : Frosty

The Gift of the Maji
November 20 – December 29, 2024 | Cape May Stage, Cape May

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical 
November 23 – 24, 2024 | State Theatre, New Brunswick

A Drag Queen Christmas
November 25, 2024 | State Theatre, New Brunswick

Golden Gays: Thank YULE for Being a Friend – The Musical!
November 27, 2024 | The Broadway Theatre of Pitman 

A Charlie Brown Christmas
November 29, 2024 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

The Best Time of the Year – Music and Memories of Christmas
November 29 – December 1, 2024 | Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College

Fairytale of New York – The Ultimate Irish-Inspired Christmas Concert
November 30, 2024 | Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood

Manheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
November 30, 2024 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea Holiday Concert
November 30, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Babes in Toyland
November 30, December 7 & 14, 2024 | Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville

Miracle on 34th Street the Musical
November 30 – December 15, 2024 | Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven

Jim Barone Elvis Tribute Artist Holiday Show
December 1, 2024 | Brook Arts Center, Bound Brook

Jessica Lynn: A Very Merry Classic Christmas  
December 1, 2024 | The Newton Theatre, Newton

Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
December 3, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville 

The Sensational Soul Cruisers Destination Soultown Holiday Show
December 3, 2024 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild & Swinging Holiday Party
December 4, 2024  | OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

Samara Joy: “A Joyful Holiday” featuring the McLendon Family
December 4, 2024 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

Fairytale of New York – The Ultimate Irish-Inspired Christmas Concert
December 4, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank 

An Evening with Chevy Chase and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
December 5, 2024 | State Theatre, New Brunswick

A Magical Cirque Christmas
December 5, 2024 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

A Winter Gathering with Kathy Mattea
December 5, 2024 | The Newton Theatre, Newton

Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular
December 6, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Lennie’s Christmas Extravaganza
December 6 – 14, 2024 (Select Dates) | East Lynne Theater Company, Cape May

Annie
December 6 – 22, 2024 (Select Dates) | Somerset Valley Players, Hillsborough

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
December 6 – 8, 2024 | Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College

A Very Special Special – Holiday Variety Show
December 7, 2024| Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Summit

OCC Concert Band: The Sounds of the Holidays
December 7, 2024  | OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

The David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown
December 7, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Holiday Express
December 7, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

A John Denver Christmas Starring Ted Vigil
December 7, 2024 | The Newton Theatre, Newton

Holiday Doo-Wop
December 7, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

The Polar Express
December 7, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville 

Great American Soulbook: Holiday Edition
December 8, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville

Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas
December 8, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Sister’s Christmas Catechism
December 8, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Great American Soulbook: Holiday Edition
December 12, 2024 | Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
December 8, 2024 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

A Christmas Carol Performed by Gerald Charles Dickens
December 9, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

It’s a Wonderful Life Film Screening
December 10, 2024 | Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan

The Wizards of Winter
December 12, 2024 | Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University

Broadway for the Holidays 4
December 12 – 22, 2024 (select dates)| OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin following a screening of Home Alone
December 13, 2024 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah
December 13, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

A Rahway Nutcracker Starring Daphne Dee
December 13, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Top of the World: A Carpenters Christmas Featuring Debbie Taylor
December 13, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville

Holiday Inn
December 13 – 22, 2024 | The Broadway Theatre of Pitman 

Christmas with the Celts 
December 14, 2024 | The Newton Theatre, Newton

Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank
December 14, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

A Christmas to Remember
December 14, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

A Very Maysa Christmas
December 14, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
December 14, 2024 | State Theatre, New Brunswick

Cocoa Cabaret
December 14, 2024 | Brook Arts Center, Bound Brook

White Christmas Movie Sing-Along
December 14, 2024 | Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College

Winter Wonderland
December 14 – 15, 2024 | Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park 

Abigail Rockwell: A Norman Rockwell Bedford Falls Christmas Concert
December 15, 2024 | Cape May Stage, Cape May

Ahmal and the Night Visitors
December 15, 2024 | Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

Celtic Woman: White Christmas Symphony
December 15, 2024 | Wellmont Theater, Montclair

Norman Rockwell Bedford Falls Christmas Concert
December 15, 2024 | Cape May Stage, Cape May

Sal Valentinetti: Christmas Comes to Town
December 15, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Holiday Concert
December 15, 2024| OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

Top of the World – a Carpenters Christmas Show
December 15, 2024 | The Newton Theatre, Newton

Twelve Twenty-Four
December 15, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 16 – 22, 2024 | The Growing Stage Theatre, Netcong

Holiday Express
December 17, 2024| Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Christmas with the Celts
December 20, 2024| OCC Repertory Theatre Co., Toms River

Everett Bradley’s HOLIDELIC
December 20, 2024| The Vogel at the Count Basie Center, Red Bank

Christmas with Cece Winans Live in Concert
December 20 – 21, 2024 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

Holiday Concert
December 20 – 22, 2024 | Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville

Music Mountain Holiday Concert

The Kelsey Holiday Extravaganza Remixed
December 20 – 22, 2024 | Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College

It’s a Wonderful Life
December 22, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville 

The Nightmare Before Christmas
December 22, 2024 | Levoy Theatre, Millville 

The Calamari Sisters’ Feast of the Seven Fishes
December 27 – 29, 2024 | The Broadway Theatre of Pitman 
 

Your First Act: New Jersey’s theaters and venues are adding more events and shows to their holiday lineups each day. Before you head to the performance, tickets in hand, check the hosting venue’s official website to read all the latest details on admission policies. Then enjoy the show!

Find even more holiday events in New Jersey with the online events calendar. Care to extend your night at the theater into an overnight getaway? Download our free Travel Guide for ideas worthy of an encore.