Kid-Friendly Theater, Music and Performing Arts in the Twin Cities

Kids participating in interactive theater program: "Kid-Friendly Theater, Music and Performing Arts in the Twin Cities"

Plan ahead to take kids to the theatre! We love finding kid-friendly theater, music and all the performing arts. We also recognize live shows can take some pre-planning. We’ll keep a running list of current and upcoming performances on this page so you can peruse ahead and pick your favorites. The lovely thing about children’s theater is that there are almost always books to go along with the performance, so we have added reading recommendations. We’ve also noticed that kids love to dress up for these special occasions. When appropriate, we’ve added links to dress-up ideas.

Table of Contents

On Stage March 2024

Silent Sky

• Now-March 17, 2024
Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454
The true story of the astronomer Henrietta Leavitt • Rated PG – Best for Middle School and Up •  Tickets $20-$25.

Trouble in Tahiti & Service Provider

• Now-March 23, 2024
Minnesota Opera @ Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Two short operas with themes that make this show best for teens & tweens. • Read more about age recommendations, length/intermissions & language here •  Get Tickets.

Discounts: Pay-What-You-Can Performance: Monday, March 4, 7:30pm

Alice in Wonderland

• Now-March 31, 2024
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Take a trip down the rabbit hole to meet the Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts, The Cheshire Cat and all the quirky characters of Wonderland •  Tickets $15-$64.

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. Lap Passes may be available.

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company

Babble Lab

• Now-April 14, 2024
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Another pre-k show perfect for toddlers created by the wonderful Autumn Ness •  Tickets $15-$64.

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

The Wizard of Oz

• March 15-23, 2024
Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447
Follow the yellow brick road in this stage adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.” All ages. Tickets are $10-$20/pp. (Ages 4 and under FREE).

The Name Jar

• March 22-April 14, 2024
Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Unhei’s classmates try to help her find a new name when she moves from Korea to America. Ages 5+ •  Tickets $17-$24.

Discounts: Pay What You Can Performance March 24, 2024 @ 4pm.

Koo Koo

• March 23, 2024
First Avenue, 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
See your favorite You Tube band, Koo Koo (formerly Koo Koo Kangaroo) live at First Avenue. •  All Ages Show •   1pm •  Tickets $25/pp.

While we love the touring cover bands, this is our chance to support live, local, original music.

Discounts: First Avenue sometimes shares tickets through MELSA SmARTpass. Check often – both early and close to the date of the show – you never know when unsold tickets may pop up.

Hoping you can join us in our celebration of 25 years by attending this performance at Northrop. Please let me know if I can save a comp press seat for you!
 

Giselle

• March 23-24, 2024
Northrop, Univ MN, 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
The most romantic ballet of all time! Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 24 at 2:00 pm. Tickets $26+.
 

Disney’s The Lion King

• March 27-April 28, 2024
Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Part of Broadway on Hennepin. A breathtaking production featuring favorite songs like, Circle of Life and I Just Can’t Wait to Be King. • Recommended for 6+. Tickets.

• 25th Annual Living Stations of the Cross

• March 29, 2024
Presentation of Mary Catholic Church, 1725 Kennard St, Maplewood, MN 55109
St Jude of the Lake Catholic Church, 700 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
Church of St. Peter, 2600 Margaret St N, North St Paul, MN 55109
The Servants of the Cross group will re-enact the Passion of Jesus Christ at three locations on Good Friday:

  • 12:00pm at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Maplewood
  • 3:00pm at St. Jude of the Lake-Mahtomedi
  • 7:00pm at Church of St. Peter-North St. Paul

Learn more information or view the YouTube presentation. Free-Will offering welcomed.

The Living Stations of the Cross by the Servants of the Cross Minnesota - Annual Good Friday Event
The Living Stations of the Cross by the Servants of the Cross Minnesota – Annual Good Friday Event

On Stage April 2024

Introduction to the Organ With Anna Lapwood & Mini Opus

• April 1, 2024
Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium, 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
World-renowned organist Anna Lapwood presents an evening of music specially designed for children.  •  Tickets FREE, but registration is required by March 27, 2024.

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

• April 5-7, 2024
Luminary Arts Center, 700 N 1st St., Minneapolis, MN 55401
See Shakespeare’s fanciful comedy in a ballet performance. Best for Grade school age through adult.  •  Tickets $30-$40.

Relaxed Family Concert: Here, There, Everywhere

• April 7, 2024
Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Take a musical journey around the work with the Minnesota Orchestra •  Tickets: Free for kids under 18; $12-$29/adults.

Rock & Roll Playhouse: Music of Grateful Dead & More for Kids

• April 7, 2024
First Avenue, 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Rock & Roll Playhouse is a traveling tribute music program for kids. Shows are held at First Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis •  11:30am •  Tickets $18/pp.

Discounts: First Avenue sometimes shares tickets through MELSA SmARTpass. Check close to the date of the show – unsold tickets may pop up.

Seward Concert Band HAS ENTERED THE GAME!

• April 12, 2024
Sanford Middle School, 3524 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Immerse yourself in the music of video games with this journey through iconic adventure compositions created for some of your and your kids’ favorite games. All Ages •  Tickets $4-$6/pp.

Seward Concert Band Has Entered The Game. Concert April 12, 2024 at 7:30pm.


Bring Your Kids

• April 13, 2024 @ 4pm
HUGE Theater 2728 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Bring Your Kids! A comedy variety show for kids and their grown ups. Perfect for ages 5 and up. Featuring circus performers, improvisers, musicians and generalized silliness. Kids – bring a joke to tell! Grown ups – I hope you like jokes.  •  $5 Kids/$10 Adults.

Bring Your Kids - Logo

Aesop Bops

• April 14, 2024
Park Square Theatre, 20 W 7th Pl, St Paul, MN 55102
Aesop’s classic stories including The Lion and the Mouse and The Fisherman and His Wife. • All Ages •  Tickets $15-$30.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR.

• April 19 – May 19, 2024
Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Matilda finds her family as she navigates a world that isn’t always fair. Ages 5+ •  Tickets $17-$24.

Discounts: Pay What You Can Performance April 21, 2024 @ 4pm.

A Year with Frog and Toad

• April 23-June 16, 2024
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Based on the Frog & Toad books by Arnold Lobel. This is a Broadway musical, so the music is pretty easy to find and learn before the show. •  Tickets $15-$64.

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. Lap passes may be available.

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company

On Stage May 2024

La Bohème

• May 4–12, 2024

Minnesota Opera @ Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

A classic love story between to poor Bohemians in Paris. • Read more about age recommendations, length/intermissions & language here •  Get Tickets.

She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition

• May 9-12, 2024
Lloyd C. Nielsen Performing Arts Center, Roseville Area High School, 1240 County Road B2 W, Roseville, MN 55113
This fantasy role-playing comedy tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister. Tickets $5-$8 online or at the box office.

Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure

• May 10–12, 2024
Orpheum Theatre,  910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Follow your favorite puppies of Adventure Bay on a special Pirate Day Adventure. •  $30-$145 •  Get Tickets.

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s The Little Prince

• April 17-19, 2024
E.M. Pearson Theatre, Concordia University Campus, 312 Hamline Ave North, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Ballet Co.Laboratory’s adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved children’s book.  •  Tickets $30-$40.

On Stage June 2024

Open Eye Driveway Tour – Molly and the Magic Boot

• June 6 – July 14, 2024
Driveways around the Twin Cities

Molly spends a summer on her Grandma’s farm and meets a Magic Boot and other new farm friends. All Ages • FREE. Learn more.

Actor at an Open Eye Figure Theatre Driveway Show at the West End Market in Falcon Heights, Minnesota

Fantastic Mr. Fox

• June 18 – August 9, 2024
Minnesota Heritage Center 11411 Masonic Home Dr, Bloomington, MN 55437
Sidekick Theatre presents Roald Dahl’s story of a clever fox who outsmarts a couple mean farmers. All Ages •  Tickets $17-$19 

Discounts: Groups of 10 or more $14/each. Field trip Groups $9/each.

Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.

• June 21 – August 4, 2024
Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
A celebration of friendship and courage. All Ages •  Tickets $17-$24.

Discounts: Pay What You Can Performance June 23, 2024 @ 4pm.

A Wrinkle in Time

• June 21-July 14, 2024
Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Based on the book by Madeline L’Engle, follow The Wallace siblings, Meg & Charles and their friend Calvin battle evil while traveling space and time. • All Ages •  Tickets $20-$25.

Discounts: Monday, July 1 at 7:30pm – Pay What You Can

Circus Juventas Jangala Summer Performance

• June 26-August 11, 2024
Circus Juventas, 1270 Montreal Ave, St Paul, MN 55116
In a hidden corner of the world lies Jangala, an ancient jungle island shrouded in mist and mystery. For centuries, Jangala was protected by guardian spirits, until they were captured inside a magical artifact. Now the once powerful spirits languish, unable to act while their beautiful island home faces encroachment and destruction. Meanwhile in an old pirate port, three spirited school children, each with a dream of a more fulfilling life, discover the relic. The students unwittingly unleash a mysterious island spirit, who transports them to a jungle both dangerous and wondrous. As the trio work to help the guardian spirits of Jangala reclaim their power, they evolve from curious explorers into courageous heroes and heroines, accomplishing daring feats, and gaining inner strength and resilience. Amid action-packed acrobatic and aerial escapades and heartwarming moments, they learn friendship and family are the true treasures they seek. • All Ages •  Tickets.

On Stage July 2024

Open Eye Driveway Tour – The Amazing Cowboat

• July 18 – August 26, 2024
Driveways around the Twin Cities

Binh pretends he is the captain of a boat that is part cow, part boat during his bath! FREE. Learn More Here.

On Stage August 2024

The Dandelion Seed

• August 7 – 25, 2024
Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Theater for the very young. Ages 0-5 •  Tickets $17-$24.

Discounts: Pay What You Can Performance August 11, 2024 @ 4pm.

On Stage September 2024

MOYA by Zip Zap Circus

• September 12-October 20, 2024

Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Acrobatic performances to a soundtrack created by Josh Hawks • All Ages •  Tickets $15-$64.

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

On Stage October 2024

Drawing Lessons

• October 8-November 10, 2024

Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Experience the energy of a graphic novelist’s imagination at work • Tween+ •  Tickets $15-$64.

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

On Stage November 2024

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas

• November 5, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
The CTC Original Holiday favorite is back in 2024/25. • All Ages • Tickets $15-$64.

Read the Book: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Reed Sigmund and Company in Children's Theatre Company's 2023 production of 'Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'. Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography
Reed Sigmund and Company in Children’s Theatre Company’s 2023 production of ‘Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’. Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

On Stage December 2024

The Little Mermaid

• December 3-29, 2024
Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, 
Part of the Broadway at the Ordway series. This is another Hans Christian Andersen fairytale turned Disney Animation turned Broadway musical • Ages 6+ •  Tickets.

Find the Ordway’s full 2024-25 Broadway at the Ordway Lineup:
What’s Playing at The Ordway

On Stage January 2025

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster

• January 8 – March 9, 2025
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Hundreds of puppets magically create a movie before your eyes • Best for PreK •  Tickets $15-$64.

Read the Books: Leonardo, The Terrible Monster and Sam, The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World by Mo Willems

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

On Stage February 2025

Milo Imagines the World

• February 4-March 9, 2025
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Milo learns that real life can sometimes be even more incredible than an imaginary one • All Ages • Tickets $15-$64.

Read the Books: Milo Imagine the World by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

On Stage April 2025

Disney’s Frozen

• April 15-June 15, 2025
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
The Broadway musical, based on the Disney movie, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale • All Ages • Tickets $15-$64.

Read the Books: The original fairytale: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen and/or an Anthology of 10 stories in the world of Elsa & Anna: All is Found by Disney Books

Discounts: Rush Tickets are $15-$25/pp. 

For Current reviews, parental guidance and upcoming shows:
What’s Playing at Children’s Theater Company 

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Twin Cities Children's Theaters List

While there are certainly tons of theaters in the Twin Cities. There are a small handful of stages where we can consistently count on kid-friendly theatre in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Other Twin Cities Venues offer some children’s programming mixed with their adult programming, and we try to list those shows in our calendar above. What makes these theaters stand out is that they not only allow kids of all ages, they welcome and cater to families. This is our curated list of places to take kids for an age-appropriate theatre experience in the Twin Cities.

If you know of another theater with dependable children’s programming or you have a way to make a more adult-oriented theater kid-friendly, leave us a message and we’ll add your recommendation.

Find Discounts on Theater & Performing Arts:

  • SmaRTpass: Check with your local library to see if there are any tickets available with the smARTpass program.
  • Children’s Theater Discounts: ACT Pass Scholarship Program, Rush Tickets $15-$25.
  • Minnesota Orchestra Discounts include Rush Tickets $25; 50% off if you bike, $20 under 40. – Their kid-friendly shows are usually reasonably priced.
  • Open Eye Discounts include a limited amount of pay as you are able at the door and a limited number of $10 Economic Accessibility tickets available online.
  • Stages Theatre Discounts: Open Door Scholarship Program; Up to 3 Pay What You Can Performances per year.
  • Saint Paul Civic Symphony – Always FREE Concerts
  • SteppingStone Theatre Discounts: Pay As You Are Able Shows
  • SPCO – Kids tickets are free with paid adult; Look for Free Family Concerts – these kid-friendly shows are geared toward younger children.
  • Youth Performance Company Discounts: Sign up for their newsletters to get announcements for $5 nights.
  • Broadway Touring Plays through Hennepin Trust: Check your AAA benefits before ordering tickets, you could save up to 20%.
  • For more ideas read Joy’s strategies in Free and Cheap: Family Fun on a Limited Income.
  • Lisa from Twin Cities Frugal Mom keeps a running directory of discounts.
  • Goldstar: Find the deals below from affiliate partner, Goldstar*. You can choose the “Family” category to find kid-friendly shows.

This page includes affiliate links to BookShop, Goldstar, Little Adventures Dress Up and Maestro Classics. Family Fun Twin Cities receives a commission on any sales through our site. We appreciate your consideration in making your purchases through our affiliate programs.

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