Holiday Arts & Culture: Special Shows for the Season
Gather friends and family to spend a night discovering the magic of the theater, as special holiday productions, musicals and concerts illuminate the splendor of the season. From The Nutcracker to A Christmas Carol and everything in between, there’s a lot going on this holiday season in the performing arts for New Jersey. Be sure to add these events to your calendar:
Elf, The Musical
November 5 – 21, 2021
Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
November 12 – 14, 2021
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
December 10 – 19, 2021
Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Pitman
Based on the beloved holiday movie, this rollicking comedy follows Buddy the Elf on his journey to discover his true identity.
A Christmas Carol
November 26 – December 12, 2021
Centenary Stage Company’s Sitnik Theatre, Hackettstown
November 26 – December 12, 2021
Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
Delve into the spirit of the season with all the amazement that Scrooge himself discovers in this classic holiday story about generosity and kinship.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
November 26, 2021
Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood
November 28, 2021
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Delighting generations of families every holiday season, the heartwarming cartoon now comes to life on stage with an all-star cast featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
The Nutcracker
November 27 – 28, 2021
Roxey Ballet at the Villa Victoria Theatre, Ewing
December 4 – 5, 2021
New Jersey Ballet at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood
December 10 – 12, 2021
Company of Dance Arts at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
December 17 – 19, 2021
American Repertory Ballet at the State Theatre, New Brunswick
December 17 – 26, 2021
New Jersey Ballet with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Children and grown-ups alike will be captivated with the graceful dancing, moving music, surprising special effects and touch of holiday magic at this iconic production.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
November 29 – 30, 2021
State Theatre, New Brunswick
Rediscover the holiday TV classic generations of kids grew up on about a ruby-nosed reindeer that doesn’t quite fit in and how he saved Christmas for us all.
A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits
December 1, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
No one brings the magic and wonder like Disney, and now the whole family can enjoy songs from their most popular stage productions performed by some of Broadway’s brightest stars in this festive holiday season concert.
The Midtown Men: Holiday Hits Show
December 2, 2021
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
December 8, 2021
Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood
You loved them in Jersey Boys, now the original cast is reunited to serenade you with holiday classics and great rock and roll tunes in swinging 60s style, including renditions of hits made popular by The Beatles, The Temptations, The Four Seasons and more.
Ebenezer, A Musical Christmas Carol
December 4 – 19, 2021
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
Experience one of the most beloved holiday classics with a new twist as Ebenezer Scrooge’s epic existential journey is enhanced with “music, dancing and a little bit of magic.”
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
December 8 – 9, 2021
State Theatre, New Brunswick
Imagine your favorite holiday songs rolled up with original music into eye-popping aerial performances of gingerbread men, toy soldiers, snowmen, penguins and more. This extravaganza is sure to put you in the spirit of the season.
The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas
December 11 – 18, 2021
Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Pitman
The children’s classic holiday song and TV special harnesses new appeal when everyone’s favorite shiny-nosed reindeer takes the stage live.
Sweet Honey in the Rock: Celebrating the Holydays
December 17, 2021
McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, Princeton
An uplifting vocal performance for the holidays blending spiritual songs and hymns with offerings from other cultures and countries—from Africa to Israel—as well as the group’s own original music.
Ritz Kids: Rudolph Meets Frosty
December 17 – 18, 2021
Ritz Theatre Company, Haddon Township
Two favorite holiday characters come together in this saga to, once again, save Christmas. This production marks the Ritz Kids triumphant return to the stage in a show performed by kids for kids.
Hallelujah Together Again for the Holidays
December 19, 2021
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
Monmouth Civic Chorus delivers the sounds of the season at this annual concert, now live again, showcasing favorite holiday classics.
Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical
December 23, 2021
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
It was not so long ago that Santa’s Scout Elves flew into the lives of good little children around the world. This production tells the tale of their magical existence through an original story and score that will delight holiday lovers of all ages.
Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity
December 30, 2021
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
Become immersed in this “song play” of the Nativity Story as inspired by the Gospel of Luke, told through the poetry of Langston Hughes and performed by an all-Black cast of talented actors, singers, dancers and musicians.
Salute to Vienna – New Year’s Eve Concert
December 31, 2021
State Theatre, New Brunswick
Greet the New Year with the glittery annual celebration that recreates Vienna’s golden era of music. Marvel as acclaimed singers, dancers and a live symphony orchestra sweep you away with their grand performances.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
January 2, 2022
State Theatre, New Brunswick
It’s the classic holiday tale presented with a modernized genre and setting. Enjoy an opening by hip-hop pioneer MC Curtis Blow and high-energy dance performances that breathe new life into Tchaikovsky’s timeless music.
Your First Act: 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.