Finding the Spirit of Christmas on Stage

A list of live performances for the 2025 season from around the state for holiday favorites "The Nutcracker," "A Christmas Carol" and more

Whether you’re already feeling the holiday spirit or need a push to get into the Christmas mood, here’s a list of live performances from around the state — including “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol” productions. Looking for other holiday events? Visit our Guide to the Holidays page for a list of places to cut your own Christmas tree, gift ideas, recipes and everything else you might need to enjoy this merry season. In the mood for some Holiday Pops? See this year’s local pops performances, here!

Where to see “The Nutcracker”

What’s it all about? Get whisked away with Clara to the Land of Sweets with these local performances of this magical holiday tradition.

The Palace Theatre

Enjoy the magic and beauty of a timeless classic this holiday season as Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater performs The Nutcracker, based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffman with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The show opens in a 19th-century home in Germany, where a special Christmas gift is given from a mysterious and loving uncle to his young and curious niece, Clara. With delicate costumes and engaging and vivid imagery, Clara’s dream comes to life onstage at the historic Palace Theatre.This holiday classic is a tradition for the whole family to enjoy.

When: November 20-23
Where: 80 Hanover St., Manchester
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Salem High School Theater

This full-scale professional holiday production includes a cast of 100, featuring the NH Philharmonic Orchestra, plus Philadelphia Ballet and Philadelphia Ballet stars who will grace the Salem stage. Presented by the New England Dance Ensemble.

When: 4 p.m. November 29 & 30
Where: Seifert Performing Arts Center
44 Geremonty Dr., Salem
Tickets: $40
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Kingswood Arts Center

Begin the holiday season with a trip to the Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker in Northeastern Ballet Theatre’s full-length, professional production of this classic ballet.

When: November 30
Where: Kingswood Arts Center
396 S. Main St., Wolfeboro
Tickets: $25-100
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The Colonial Theatre, Laconia/ Capital Center for the Arts, Concord/ Nashua Center for the Arts, Nashua/ Stockbridge Theatre, Derry

Follow Clara and her beloved Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Mouse Queen and her minions, and take a journey to a magical land performed by Safe Haven Ballet.

When/ Where: Dates, times and locations vary
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Dover High School

This performance is put on by the Portsmouth School of Ballet.

When: December 6 & 7
Where: Dover High School
25 Alumni Dr., Dover
Tickets: $25
Tickets are available for purchase at the Portsmouth School of Ballet office and will also be available for purchase at the theater the day of the performance.
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Concord City Auditorium

Presented by Turning Pointe Center of Dance
Dancers from Concord’s Turning Pointe Center of Dance perform the full length ballet. This production has something for all ages, and is a tradition not to be missed.

When: December 13
Where: Concord City Auditorium
2 Prince St., Concord
Tickets: $25
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Presented by New Hampshire School of Ballet
When: December 21
Where: Concord City Auditorium
2 Prince St., Concord
Tickets: $28
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The Rochester Opera House

Sole City Dance returns for their 17th season with elaborate sets, costumes, special effects and outstanding dancers.

When: December 4-6
Where: The Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield St., Rochester
Tickets: Prices starts at $20
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Where to see “A Christmas Carol”

From the a production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

What’s it all about? Follow Scrooge’s journey as he learns the true meaning of Christmas in this classic play by Charles Dickens.

The Palace Theatre

Voted Best Live Theatrical Production and Best Theatre Event of the Year in Manchester by Hippo Press readers in 2019, this show has become an audience holiday favorite at the Palace.

When: Various dates and times from November 28- December 28
Where: The Palace Theatre
80 Hanover St., Manchester
Tickets: $65-$79
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The Rochester Opera House

This ghostly tale of the past, present and future is brought to life in this exciting new musical adaptation. Keeping true to the original text, it draws upon the themes of time, family and society’s ills to warm even the coldest of hearts. Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery.

When: December 12-2023
Where: The Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield St., Rochester
Tickets: $26-$30
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The Players’ Ring

The Players’ Ring presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” with action prevailing over narration in this engaging production. Adapted by Tom Frey and directed by Debra Martuscello Wiley, the show features over 100 costume pieces and wigs and plenty of period set pieces and props.

When: December 5-28
Where: The Players’ Ring
105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
Tickets: $18-$32
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And…

What the Dickens: An Improvised Christmas Carol
Cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge will be visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future – only this time the audience decides how the story goes! Join us for an evening of improvised comedy as we celebrate Charles Dickens’ holiday classic “A Christmas Carol”.

When: December 1
Where: The Players’ Ring
105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
Tickets: $32
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Holiday Concerts and Entertainment

Even more great events from around the state to celebrate the holiday season.

Boston Pops Holiday Concert

When: December 7
Where: SNHU Arena
555 Elm St., Manchester
Tickets: Prices Vary
Available in person at the box office, via Ticketmaster or by phone (800) 745-3000
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“A New England Christmas”

Each season, Pontine’s artistic directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers, ring in the holiday season by staging a selection of stories and poems by New England authors. This year’s program features an original staging of Donald Hall’s “Christmas Snow,” written for the New Yorker Magazine in 1964. In the story, Hall recounts a holiday trip to Eagle Pond Farm, his grandfather’s home in Wilmot, New Hampshire, in 1938, when he was 10 years old. This memoir blends reminiscences, anecdotes and vignettes that capture continuity of family and the quiet delights of rural life.

When: November 28 – 30 (additional performances Dec. 5-7 & Dec. 12-14)
Where: Pontine Theatre
1 Plains Ave., Portsmouth
Tickets: Prices vary
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Sharon Jones: Holiday Stories and Songs

Sharon Jones brings a Christmas show filled with holiday songs and family Stories that you’ll love, to Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club!! Sharon is a legendary performer and native of Portsmouth, NH, where she shines as an original stand-out of the Seacoast music scene, with engagements throughout New England, in Boston, and in New York.

When: December 22
Where: Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club
135 Congress St., Portsmouth
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NH Gay Men’s Chorus’ 27th Season Holiday Concerts

NHGMC is giving four performances for their 27th season of holiday concerts

When & Where: December 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2025
December 6: 6 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3 Lutheran Dr., Nashua
December 7: 3 p.m. at Capital Center for the Arts, 16 S. Main St., Concord
December 13: 7 p.m. at Stratham Community Church, 6 Emery Lane, Stratham
December 14: 3 p.m. at The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester
Tickets: Prices vary
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Tuba Christmas

This year marks the 52nd anniversary of Tuba Christmas, an international event that started as a tribute to famous tuba player William J. Bell, born on Christmas in 1902. Hearing your favorite Christmas tunes in all-tuba form is not your usual yuletide tradition. The event is also an open invitation to all tuba players — registration times and fees are noted on the website, tubachristmas.com. Instructions include whether or not to bring a music stand and what colors to wear.

When: December 1-28
Where: There are three New Hampshire Tuba Christmas performances: December 7 at 1 p.m. in Keene, December 20 at 1 p.m. in Colebrook and December 20 at 2 p.m. in Plaistow.
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Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas

See the show that the Boston Globe said would be impossible for audiences to not love!

When: December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Dana Center for the Humanities
Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Dr., Manchester
Tickets: $49
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Rockapella Holiday

Rockapella returns for their annual holiday tradition at the Stockbridge, blending catchy pop songs and contemporary renditions of rock and soul.

When: December 12 at 7  p.m.
Where: Stockbridge Theatre
5 Pinkerton St., Derry
Tickets: $20-$40
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And..

Christmas with the Celts
The high-stepping spirited musical selections will have audiences clapping along from the first lively renditions of popular contemporary Christmas classics.

When: December 19 at 7 p.m.
Where: Stockbridge Theatre
5 Pinkerton St., Derry
Tickets: $20-$40
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Boston Pops Holiday Concert

Join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and Conductor Keith Lockhart for this annual, beloved Holiday Pops concert. Attendees can look forward to their favorite holiday songs and crowd sing-alongs.

When: December 7 at 6 p.m.
Where: SNHU Arena
555 Elm St., Manchester
Tickets: Prices vary
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Winter Solstice with Cold Chocolate

Cold Chocolate is a genre-bending Americana band that fuses folk, funk, and bluegrass to create a unique sound all their own. Featuring Ethan Robbins on guitar and Ariel Bernstein on percussion, this power duo from Boston is impressing audiences throughout New England and beyond. Punctuated by tight harmonies and skillful musicianship, and with a focus on songwriting, Cold Chocolate has quickly gained recognition for their original music and high-energy shows. The band has shared bills with Leftover Salmon and David Grisman, and regularly performs at venues and music festivals across the country.

When: December 16 at 6 p.m.
Where: Kaufmann Theatre at the Tillotson Center
14 Carriage Ln., Colebrook
Tickets: $10
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Holiday Pops

When: December 14 at 4 p.m.
Where: Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St., Concord
Tickets: Ticket prices vary
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Christmas at the Winery to Benefit the Lakes Region Children’s Auction

Christmas at the Winery (Benefitting the Lakes Region Children’s Auction) – Local songwriters and performers Katie Dobbins, David Lockwood, & Andriana Gnap join together as a trio for one night only to perform beloved Christmas classics, along with some originals. The trio will be joined by Mike Moran on bass and percussion. Join us for an evening together as we celebrate the magic of this holiday.

When: December 18
Where: The Loft at Hermit Woods
72 Main St., Meredith
Tickets: Prices vary
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Buzz Ball

Join Greg and the Morning Buzz for the ultimate holiday rock n’ roll variety show, featuring special guest musicians, comedians and actors.

When: Thursday, December 18, 7 p.m.
Where: Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St., Concord
Tickets: $59
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A Winter Solstice Celebration with Low Lily

This high energy show will feature instrumentals alongside impeccably arranged songs to honor the season. Between them, the musicians play mandolins, guitars, fiddle, banjo, and sing in three part vocal harmonies.

When: December 19, at 7 p.m.
Where: The Orchard Chapel
143 Exeter Rd, Hampton Falls
Tickets: Prices vary
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Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Family Holiday Pops

The Family Holiday Pops program will delight audiences of all ages with a seasonal blend of music that will put your whole family in the holiday spirit!

When: December 14 and December 21
Where: York Community Auditorium and Portsmouth High School
Tickets: $15-$35
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