Our Christmas show calendar is full to the brim! From the Nutcracker to A Christmas Carol, we guarantee you’ll find a variety of family-friendly Holiday shows this festive season. Here’s a look at the best Christmas plays, ballets, musicals and interactive shows coming to the Twin Cities this year.
There is no better way to celebrate the Yuletide than with a Nutcracker performance, and this list has options for every family – from the young kids with short attention spans to the the full ballet with symphony orchestra.
Find Year-Round Family-Friendly Theater Here.
Minnesota Orchestra presents the FFTC Holiday Guide
Minnesota Orchestra concerts aren't just for grown-ups.
We've got performances that spark curiosity, wiggles, and wide-eyed wonder.
Enjoy a family-friendly film with the score played live-to-picture or a classical concert.
Younger children can enjoy family and sensory-friendly concerts with a parent or caregiver.
With discounted kids' tickets and free admission through Hall Pass, it's easy to bring the whole crew.
Get more details by clicking on the image above.
2025 Christmas Plays and Shows
Spookley and the Christmas Kitten
Date(s): 11/01/2025 - 11/30/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN, 55343
Spookley the Square Pumpkin helps a special green cat and three kittens find a home and teaches us that it’s never wrong to do the right thing. • All Ages • Tickets: $20-$29/pp.
Discounts: Pay What You Can Performance: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 4pm
Read the Book: Spookley and the Christmas Kittens by Joe Troiano and Susan Banta has a reading age of 3-7 years.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Date(s): 11/04/2025 - 01/04/2026; SEE TIMESLocation: Children's Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN, 55404
A Twin Cities Holiday favorite, CTC brings back How The Grinch Stole Christmas for the 2025 Christmas season • All Ages • Tickets.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
A Christmas Carol
Date(s): 11/08/2025 - 12/28/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: The Guthrie, 818 S 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
A Twin Cities Christmas tradition! The Charles Dickens tale of Christmas magic and the redemption of the soul of Ebenezer Scrooge as the ghost of Marley, his former partner, and three Christmas ghosts lead him on a tour of his life. Tickets: $30+ (more on peak days).
Save: Attend with a group of people and save. Discounts for groups of 15 or more.
See with Younger Kids: While we usually recommend this event for families with older kids, The Guthrie recommends this play for ages 8+ (children 5 and under are not permitted in the theater). A few years ago, the Guthrie created a printable 24-page guide full of information, activities and discussion questions to bring the show to life.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Elf Jr - The Musical
Date(s): 11/21/2025 - 12/28/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN, 55343
Buddy the Elf sets out to bring some Christmas cheer to his father, who is on Santa’s naughty list. • All Ages • Tickets: $24-$35/pp.
Discounts: Pay What You Can Performance: Sunday, November 23, 2025 – 4pm.
Read The Book: Elf The Classic Illustrated Storybook by Kim Smith has a reading level of 1-8 years and preschool to grade 3.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Santa & Albert's Holiday Play (FREE)
Date(s): 11/22/2025 - 12/21/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Bachman's Garden Center - Lyndale, 6010 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55419
Bachman’s annual Holiday Play starring Santa and Albert the Elf is about 20 minutes in length and perfect for all ages. Bonus – there’s a chance to sing Christmas carols and meet Santa after most shows. Performed 3-4 times throughout the day between 10am-3pm. Weekends only, November 22-December 21, 2025.
- Photo Only Nights (recommended especially for babies and toddlers) – Monday nights November 24 & December 1, 2025.
- Visit Santa’s Reindeers – Saturdays only, November 22-December 20, 2025.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Backstage Nutcracker
Date(s): 11/22/2025; 1:30 pm - 5:00 pmLocation: Masonic Heritage Center, 11411 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, MN, 55437
An original ballet production featuring Pas de Deux dancers. Two shows: 1:30 & 4pm. Ages 4 & up only. Tickets: $15-$25.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Cirque du Soleil: 'Twas the Night Before …
Date(s): 11/26/2025 - 12/07/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Northrop Memorial Auditoriums, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
A Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show based on the classic poem, A Visit From St. Nicholas. Tickets $39-$114/pp.
Read the Book: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, D Wallace, Jessie Wilcox Smith (Illustrator)
Showtimes:
- November 26 – 7pm
- November 28 – 1pm, 4pm, 7:30pm
- November 30 – 12pm, 3pm, 6pm
- December 3 – 7pm
- December 4 – 7pm
- December 5 – 7:30pm
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Mini-Nutcracker
Date(s): 11/26/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Lakeville Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, MN , 55044
This one-hour abbreviated version of the full-length A Minnesota Nutcracker is a delightful introduction for young children to the classic ballet, but appropriate for all ages. Tuesday, November 25, show at 6 pm & Wednesday, November 26, shows at 2 & 6pm. Tickets: $17-$21/pp.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
A Christmas Carol
Date(s): 11/29/2025 - 01/04/2026; SEE TIMESLocation: Open Window Theatre, Salem Square Center, Suite 400, 5300 South Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN, 55077
An adaptation of Charles Dicken’s classic Christmas story incorporating favorite carols • Recommended for Ages 12+ • Tickets.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Julglädje Family Holiday Concert
Date(s): 11/29/2025; 9:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55407
American Swedish Institute presents Julgladje, it’s annual holiday event. Enjoy traditional, kid-friendly holiday music and dance from Sweden presented by Ross Sutter. Plus, interactive storytelling with kids participating as Christmas elves. Your ticket includes admission to the museum, including this year’s holiday exhibition Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter. Shows at 9 & 11am, $7-$22 per person.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Black Nativity
Date(s): 12/02/2025 - 12/24/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
The story of the birth Baby Jesus in Bethlehem with a traditionally all black cast, featuring classic Christmas carols and gospel music. From the musical created by Poet Langston Hughes with chorus music performed by the Kingdom Life Church Choir. Tickets $20.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Children's Performing Arts presents Frozen, Jr., The Musical
Date(s): 12/05/2025 - 12/14/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Hanifl Performing Art Center, 4941 Long Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110
The story of Elsa and Anna and the magic that flows out of the love between two sisters. December 5-14, 2025. Tickets $19-$27/pp.
Discounts: CPA reserves some “pay-what-you-can” tickets for each performance of mainstage productions. Learn more here.
Read the Book: Disney Classic Graphic Novels: Frozen and Frozen.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Little Women The Musical
Date(s): 12/05/2025 - 12/14/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Crosswinds United Methodist Church, 15051 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN, 55311
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Madeline's Christmas
Date(s): 12/05/2025 - 12/13/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Merrill Arts Center, The Merrill Black Box Theater at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury, MN, 55129
A musical adaptation of the Ludwig Bemelmans Classic with all the holiday trimmings. Tickets.
Read the Book: Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
December 5-13, 2025:
- December 5, 2025 – 7pm
- December 6, 2025 – 2pm
- December 12, 2025 – 7pm
- December 13, 2025 – 2pm
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Mary Poppins
Date(s): 12/05/2025 - 12/07/2025; 12:00 amLocation: Chanhassen High School Theatre, 2200 Lyman Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN, 55317
A magical holiday musical for the whole family including all our favorite songs from the Disney movie. Sunday matinees can include a tea party with the cast. Tickets $15-$25; $40 tea party tickets.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Continental Ballet's The Nutcracker
Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/14/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN, 55431
Tchaikovsky’s classic tale of Clara’s voyage to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy with her magical godfather Drosselmeyer. Tickets: $15-$30/pp.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
The Nutcracker
Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/07/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Hopkins High School Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Hopkins, MN, 55305
Prima Classical Coaching continues the tradition of waltzing flowers, scurrying mice, and a sparkle of magic at every turn! Journey with Marie through the magical world of The Nutcracker. Saturday 2pm & 6pm; Sunday 12pm and 4pm. Tickets: $25+.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
The Nutcracker SWEET!
Date(s): 12/06/2025 - 12/07/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Arts Center on 7, 12825 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN, 55345
The Nutcracker SWEET! Presented by the pre-professional and primary dancers of WestMet Classical Training is a family friendly ballet performance welcoming to children of all ages! The original nutcracker story has been adapted from the original to be shorter, culturally appropriate, colorful and entertaining to keep the attention of even the youngest guests. 1½ hours. Tickets: $22.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Date(s): 12/07/2025 - 12/30/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Minnesota Heritage Center, 11411 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, MN, 55437
Sidekick Theatre’s Holiday musical is a re-telling of the classic fairytale. Look for special Breakfast with Santa performances. Appropriate for all ages. Tickets: $9-$19/pp.
Discounts: Groups of 10 or more $14/each. Field trip groups $9/each.
Read the book: The Elves & The Shoemaker by the Brothers Grimm.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Winterfest & The Nutcracker Ballet
Date(s): 12/07/2025; 2:00 pm - 6:00 pmLocation: Mraz Center Burnsville High School, 600 E Highway 13, Burnsville, MN, 55337
Enjoy a winter showcase, hot chocolate bar and performance of the nutcracker during this afternoon of holiday fun and winter dance.
- 2:00pm Winterfest Showcase
- 3:00pm Silent Auction and Hot Chocolate Bar
- 4:00pm The Nutcracker Story Ballet
$15 for one performance, or $22 for both the Showcase and Nutcracker Ballet.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
A Minnesota Nutcracker
Date(s): 12/12/2025 - 12/14/2025; 12:00 amLocation: Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN, 55337
The Nutcracker – Minnesota style. This year, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota will also perform at the Ames Center in Burnsville. Tickets $43-$75.
Ames Center Performances:
- Friday, December 12, 2025 @ 7pm
- Saturday, December 13, 2025 @ 2pm & 7pm
- Sunday, December 14, 2025 @ 1pm & 4:30pm
- Also at Northrop December 16 & 17, 2025
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Minnesota Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker
Date(s): 12/12/2025 - 12/14/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Eden Prairie Performing Arts Center, 17185 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN, 55346
Over 70 children perform with professional dancers and special guest artists in this version featuring the original choreography. Tickets $29-$75.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Date(s): 12/12/2025 - 12/13/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403
This annual ballet features, larger than life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics, dazzling costumes and a dash of magic. Ages 5+. Tickets $47+.
*Image Courtesy Hennepin Trust
December 12-13, 2025:
- Friday, December 12 at 7 PM
- Saturday, December 13 at 1 PM
- Saturday, December 13 at 5 PM
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy
Date(s): 12/13/2025 - 12/21/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: State Theater, 805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55402
Featuring both professional dancers and local students, this annual ballen features choreography by Loyce Houlton to Tchaikovsky’s score performed by a 44-piece orchestra. Ages 5+. Purchase Tickets.
December 13-21, 2025:
- Saturday, December 13 @ 3 PM & 7:30 PM
- Sunday, December 14 @ 3 PM & 7:30 PM
- Saturday, December 20 @ 3 PM & 7:30 PM
- Sunday, December 21 at 3 PM
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Mary Cloggins — A Family-Friendly Holiday Dance Show!
Date(s): 12/13/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Bethel Lutheran Church, 4120 17th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55407
The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers and a live string band perform a Mary Poppins-inspired Holiday show. Expect dancing penguins and holiday family fun. This show is geared toward families with kids ages 3-10. $15 adults, $8 kids, free ages 5 and under.
- 1-hour dance performance
- Choose between 2:30pm & 5pm shows.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
The Community Nutcracker Event
Date(s): 12/13/2025; 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Mraz Center Burnsville High School, 600 E Highway 13, Burnsville, MN, 55337
A live abridged performance of The Nutcracker Ballet featuring the Repertoire Ensemble. Pay-As-You’re-Able $5-$20.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Circus Juventas Holiday Show: Solstice
Date(s): 12/14/2025; 1:00 pm - 5:00 pmLocation: Circus Juventas, 1270 Montreal Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55116
Circus Juventas, the performing arts circus school, will host 10 performances of its 2025 Holiday Production, “Solstice,” December 5 – 14 at the Circus Juventas Big Top in Saint Paul. Tickets on sale November 11, 2025. $35/adults; $25 ages 12 and under.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Date(s): 12/14/2025; 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmLocation: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55403
Mannheim Steamroller has become a Christmas tradition with an annual traveling show. This year, the tour comes to the Orpheum on December 14th. Tickets $77-$103. Purchase through Ticketmaster.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
A Minnesota Nutcracker
Date(s): 12/16/2025 - 12/17/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Northrop Memorial Auditoriums, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota performs the holiday classic with a Minnesota twist, including iconic Minnesota characters and landscapes. Tickets $25 – $100.
Northrop Performances:
-
- Tuesday, December 16, 2025; 6pm, Relaxed Performance
- Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025; 7pm
- Also performing at Ames Center Dec 12-14, 2025.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Metropolitan Ballet's Nutcracker
Date(s): 12/18/2025 - 12/19/2025; 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmLocation: The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55101
Metropolitan Ballet brings this annual, family-friendly holiday tradition! The classic story comes to life with fresh choreography and a cast of talented artists under the direction of Erik J. Sanborn of the Metropolitan Ballet. Best for ages 5+. Tickets $35+.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
The Snow Queen - Holiday Production
Date(s): 12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025; SEE TIMESLocation: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
Ballet Co.Laboratory brings this classic fairytale to the stage just in time for the Holidays. Follow Gerda as she journeys to rescue her brother from the Snow Queen. 90 minutes with intermission. Tickets: $40-$50/pp.
For a sneak peek perfect for the attention span of tots and pre-k’s, Landmark’s November 18th Ballet Tuesday is FREE, open to the public and only one-hour.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Metropolitan Ballet's Nutcracker with Full Symphony Orchestra
Date(s): 12/20/2025 - 12/21/2025; 12:00 amLocation: Hopkins High School Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Hopkins, MN, 55305
Metropolitan Ballet brings this family friendly holiday tradition! The classic story comes to life with fresh choreography and a cast of talented artists under the direction of Erik J. Sanborn of the Metropolitan Ballet. The Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Yuri Ivan, will perform live during the Hopkins performances. Best for ages 5+. $30.51 – $44.87
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
A Misfit Christmas
Date(s): 12/20/2025; 3:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: Art House North, 793 Armstrong Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
Theater for the Thirsty presents a Christmas musical for the whole family, full of favorite Christmas carols and misfit comedy. Plus, kick off the evening with an original Dr. Seuss-y Christmas story, Peas and Joy, and cap off the night in a sing-a-long. Enjoy FREE hot cider, coffee and cookies in the lobby before the show! Two Shows: 3pm and 7pm. Tickets $15-$20/pp. 60 minutes with no intermission. All Ages.
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
Wishing you good cheer and a magical Christmas!
Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts Holiday performance
Thank you, Angie. We’ve added your Holiday performances to this calendar and more of the upcoming performances to our Family-Friendly Performing Arts Calendar. Feel free to submit future kid-friendly shows through our contact form.