Terrific Children's Theatres in Boston
Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Liza Voll Photography.

The holiday season is a magical time, and what better way to celebrate than to take in a festive performance? Get into the spirit of the season with an afternoon or evening out at one of these family-friendly holiday shows in Boston!

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker

November 24-December 31 :: Boston

New England’s favorite holiday tradition is back at the Citizen’s Bank Opera House. Revel in the artistry as you are taken on the beautiful journey with Clara!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

November 24-26 :: Boston

Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life live on stage!

Magical Cirque Christmas

November 25 :: Providence
December 3 :: Worcester

Get ready to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as you witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music!

Vienna Light Orchestra

December 1 :: Boston

World-class musicians and vocalists from around the world present a collection of holiday favorites while surrounded by over two thousand flickering candles and sparkling Christmas trees. It is a sight to behold, and a lovely experience for the whole family.

Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity

December 1-17 :: Boston

This gospel telling of the Christmas story will sweep you away! This highly energetic song-play is narrated in Black vernacular speech, featuring a dramatic “pas de deux” performed to African drums in which the dancing Mary delivers the newly born Christ child to a mesmerized audience. 

Boston Pops: Holiday Pops Kid Matinees

Weekends, December 2-24 :: Boston

Kids’ matinees are geared toward younger children, with shorter performances and no intermissions. After the concert, visit with Santa and enjoy special treats! A sensory-friendly performance, designed for all families with children or adults with an autism spectrum disorder or sensory sensitivities, will take place on December 2.

A Christmas Carol

December 7-23 :: Beverly

This award-winning production was created specifically for North Shore Music Theatre and has been seen by more than one million people since its debut in 1989!

Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration

December 15-28 :: Cambridge

Every December, the Cambridge Revels community gathers in Harvard University’s historic Sanders Theatre to celebrate the season through the traditional songs, dances, and stories of cultures from around the world.

Anthony Williams’ “Urban Nutcracker”

December 16-23 :: Boston

This adaptation of the Nutcracker is a beloved Boston tradition. Anchored by classical ballet, the performances also include a broad range of dance forms such as tap, hip-hop, flamenco, and jazz, accompanied by a small live orchestra of local musicians.

The Holiday Sing-Along! with Phil Berman & Sarah Nolen

December 20-23 :: Brookline 

Celebrate the season with a family-friendly singalong featuring dancing snowmen, jingle bells, and lots of snowy fun! Two friendly performers guide children (and their grownups) through songs, stories, and imagination games. Especially designed for the youngest audiences, this highly interactive puppet cabaret includes many holiday favorites, as well as songs of wintertime cheer from cultures around the world.

Elf in Concert

December 22-23 :: Boston

This holiday season, relive the heartwarming holiday tale of Buddy the Elf on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to the motion picture!

For even more festive and family-friendly events in Boston this December, check out our curated list of local fun!

Deanna Greenstein
Deanna is a mom of five (yes, five) children, who lives in Brockton with her small circus of kids, her husband, their dog Penny, and a few cats. Her life is loud, energetic, mostly fun, often gross (did she mention four of those kids are boys?), and she wouldn't have it any other way. In between carting kids to school, baseball, gymnastics, guitar, dance, track and field and every other kid activity known to mankind, she works as a school bus driver for the city of Brockton, and is the Director of Religious Education at the Unity Church of North Easton, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Deanna also holds degrees in Elementary Physical Education and Dance Education, which she plans to put back into use one day. At parties, Deanna can often be found hanging out with family pets. She follows her children around with a camera like the paparazzi, is pretty sure that 97% of her blood stream is made of coffee, and her laundry is never done. You can also find her blogging at https://eighteenmoreyearsofburpsandfarts.wordpress.com