Finding the Spirit of Christmas on Stage

A list of live performances for the 2024 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.

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 30 & December 1
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- December 25
Where: Kingswood Arts Center
396 S. Main St., Wolfeboro
Tickets: $25-100
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Dover High School

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

When: December 7 & 8
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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Capitol Center for the Arts

Follow battle-ready Clara with her beloved Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Mouse Queen and her minions, performed by Safe Haven Ballet.

When: December 14
Where: Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St., Concord
Tickets: $44-$54
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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 14
Where: Concord City Auditorium
2 Prince St., Concord
Tickets: $23 in advance, $25 at the door
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Presented by New Hampshire School of Ballet
When: December 22
Where: Concord City Auditorium
2 Prince St., Concord
Tickets: $25
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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 5-8
Where: The Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield St., Rochester
Tickets: Prices starts at $24
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The Colonial Theatre, Laconia

Follow battle-ready Clara with her beloved Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Mouse Queen and her minions, performed by Safe Haven Ballet.

When: December 1
Where: The Colonial Theatre
609 Main St., Laconia
Tickets: $40-$45
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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 29- December 29
Where: The Palace Theatre
80 Hanover St., Manchester
Tickets: $35-$49
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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 13-20
Where: The Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield St., Rochester
Tickets: $26-$32
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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 6-23
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: $15
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Nashua Center for the Arts

Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, will appear in a one-man show of the beloved holiday classic.

When: November 29
Where: Nashua Center for the Arts
201 Main St., Nashua
Tickets: $39-69
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Holiday Concerts and Entertainment

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

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

When: November 29
Where: SNHU Arena
555 Elm St., Manchester
Tickets: Starting at $59
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 29 – December 15
Where: Pontine Theatre
1 Plains Ave., Portsmouth
Tickets: $29-$32
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A Christmas Show with Sharon Jones and Company

Sharon Jones brings a Soulful Christmas Show 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 14
Where: Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club
135 Congress St., Portsmouth
Tickets: $22.50
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And…

Holiday Disco Vinyl Dance Party with The Glitter Boys in The Gallery at Jimmy’s

Celebrate the season at our Holiday Disco Vinyl Dance Party featuring the amazing Live Vinyl DJs, The Glitter Boys, spinning classic disco throwbacks and holiday favorites. Enjoy handcrafted holiday cocktails while immersing yourself in an artistic, festive atmosphere—all in the heart of Portsmouth. Wear your wildest holiday sweater or disco gear and join us for an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer.

When: December 14
Where: Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club
135 Congress St., Portsmouth
Tickets: Free
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NH Gay Men’s Chorus’ 26th Season Holiday Concerts

NHGMC is giving four performances for their 26th season of holiday concerts

When & Where: December 7, 8, 15 and 15, 2023
December 7: 7 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3 Lutheran Dr., Nashua
December 8: 3 p.m. at Capital Center for the Arts, 16 S. Main St., Concord
December 14: 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 22 Fox Run Rd, Newington
December 15: 3 p.m. at The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester
Tickets: $25
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Tuba Christmas

This year marks the 51st  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 five New Hampshire Tuba Christmas performances: December 1 at 2:15 in New London, December 8 at 1 p.m. in Keene, at 9:30 a.m. in Wolfeboro, December 1 at 2 p.m. in Manchester, and December 21  at 2 p.m. in Plaistow.
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A Cape Breton Christmas with COIG

Kick off the holiday season with Nova Scotia’s Còig! With their renditions of timeless Christmas classics, they weave various influences into their Celtic holiday mix from Folk, Classical and Swing, giving your favorite carols a fresh and original sound. With brimming instrumentals, high-energy original tunes, lively instrumentals, stirring vocals and fiery melodies it is a sparkling show from start to finish. This talented quartet are masters of guitar, fiddle, mandolin, viola, banjo, bouzouki, whistles, flute and more, giving them enormous scope, and keeping the surprises coming. Bring your dancing shoes!

When: December 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Dana Center for the Humanities
Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Dr., Manchester
Tickets: $45
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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 13 at 7:30 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 21 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 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: SNHU Arena
555 Elm St., Manchester
Tickets: $57- $92
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Christmas On The Steinway: Dan Kennedy

Join us this holiday season for “An Enchanted Noël.” Dan Kennedy is a well-established Contemporary Solo Pianist with a long history in the music industry.

When: December 15 at 2 p.m.
Where: Kaufmann Theatre at the Tillotson Center
14 Carriage Ln., Colebrook
Tickets: $15
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Holiday Pops

When: December 8 at 4 p.m.
Where: Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St., Concord
Tickets: $46- $61
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“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Performed by the Heather Pierson Trio

Heather Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter and performer based in Conway. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” originally telecast in December 1965, was an instant hit with audiences who connected with Peanuts’ creator Charles M. Schultz’s relatable cast of characters. Catch the Heather Pierson Trio’s rendition of Peanuts’ inimitable jazz riffs.

When: December 5 and December 6
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 19, 7 p.m.
Where: Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St., Concord
Tickets: $58.75
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Home for the Holidays with Dustbowl Revival

Celebrating the chance to come together, enjoy great music and cheer in that amazing home-for-the-holidays spirit is what you’ll find with this special Dustbowl Revival show as part of our 12 Nights of Christmas series this December! The Dustbowl Revival is an American roots orchestra with eight full-time members — and they play it all, mashing the sounds of traditional American music into a genre-hopping, time-bending dance party that coaxes new fire out of familiar coal.

When: December 7, at 8 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 17 and December 18
Where: York Community Auditorium and Portsmouth High School
Tickets: $15-$35
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