ALGONQUIN ARTS THEATRE
60 Abe Voorhees Dr., Manasquan
algonquinarts.org
732-528-9211
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Dec. 3-18, times vary
Watch Ralphie scheme his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle. $26-$43 per person.
Bluegrass Christmas
Dec. 21, 8 pm
Karen Phillips and the Glimmer Grass Band will present an evening of authentic bluegrass music as they celebrate the reason for the season. $25 per person.
AXELROD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
100 Grant Ave., Deal Park
axelrodartscenter.com
732-531-9106
The Nutcracker Rocks
Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11, times vary
Kids 7+ from local dance studios will perform a version of this holiday favorite reimagined for the Jersey Shore, which has Clara hanging out at her family’s holiday party on the Upper East Side of
Manhattan until her uncle shakes up the party with his rock music and magical toys. $20-$46 per person.
BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood
201-227-1030
bergenpac.org
Vienna Boys Choir
Nov. 30, 8 pm
This group of young boys ages 10-14 bring you musical talent from 30 different countries. It’s a treat to hear them sing holiday songs. $29-$69 per person.
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker
Dec. 3 and 4, 1 pm and 4:30 pm
See Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Wooden Soldiers and the Mouse King in this ballet performance. New Jersey Ballet’s tradition blends holiday magic with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed by the New Jersey Symphony. $29-$59 per person.
COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
thebasie.org
732-842-9000
Phoenix Productions Presents: A Christmas Carol
Nov. 18, 8 pm; Nov. 19, 3 pm and 8 pm; Nov. 20, 3 pm
$20-$65 per person.
The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
Nov. 23, 7:30 pm
The classic magic and illusions this group is known for get a holiday twist. There will be even more close-up magic and mentalism during this special show. $39-$85 per person.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage
Nov. 25, 2 pm and 5 pm
Whether you remember the Peanuts from your childhood, or your kids are fans, you’ll have a great time with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang as they uncover the meaning of Christmas. $25-$45 per person.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Dec. 1, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Come see your favorite characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life and teach us that what makes you different is also what makes you special. $35-$59 per person.
The Nutcracker
Dec. 9, 7 pm; Dec. 10, 1 pm and 5 pm; Dec. 11, 1 pm
$25-$55 per person.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Dec. 13, 7:30 pm
Magical Hostess Lucy Darling will lead your crew through performances from cirque artists who’ll dance through the air to the tune of holiday classics. $35-$99 per person.
Holiday Express
Dec. 19 and 20, 7:30 pm
See more than 50 musicians on stage performing their traditional, gospel and rock ’n’ soul holiday music in this traveling party. $25-$125 per person.
Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show
Dec. 28, 6 pm
Kids will sing “Baby Shark,” “Five Little Monkeys” and “Wheels on the Bus” long after the show ends, plus holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and more. $29-$59 per person.
JAY AND LINDA GRUNIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
1 College Dr., Toms River
grunincenter.org
732-255-0500
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 3, 1 pm
Adults $15, children $12.
OCC Concert Band: A Children’s Holiday
Dec. 3, 7 pm
If you grew up with Charlie Brown, the Grinch, the dreidel song or “The Night Before Christmas,” you’ll want to relive your childhood memories. $10-$20 per person.
KELSEY THEATRE AT MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor
kelsey.mccc.edu
609-570-3333
White Christmas Sing-Along
Nov. 18, 7 pm, Nov. 19, 2 pm and 7 pm, Nov. 20, 2 pm
Sing Christmas classics while watching the movie musical on screen. There will be
audience participation and an ugly Christmas sweater contest. $20-$22 per person.
A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail
Nov. 26 and 27, 1 pm and 4 pm
Christopher Robin will listen to a tale of when Eeyore loses his tail and Winnie and Piglet and all their friends help find it. $12-$15 per person.
’Twas the Night Before Christmas
Dec 2-5, times vary
Watch your kids’ faces light up as they wait for Santa to arrive on stage on Christmas Eve! They’ll be even more excited when they get to take a picture with Santa after the show. $12-$15 per person.
Nutcracker
Dec. 16, 10 am and 7 pm; Dec. 17 and 18,
1 pm and 4 pm
$14-$16 per person
McCARTER THEATRE CENTER
91 University Pl., Princeton
mccarter.org
609-258-2787
The Nutcracker
Nov. 25, 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Nov. 26 at 2 pm
This performance of the classic features a live orchestra and dancers from American Repertory Ballet. $35-$65 per person.
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 7–24, times vary
$35-$75 per person.
MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
100 South St., Morristown
mayoarts.org
973-539-8008
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Nov. 27, 2 pm and 6:30 pm
$39-$69 per person.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Dec. 3, 3 pm and 8 pm
Hear Christmas songs played live, accompanied by multimedia effects. Their rendition of “Carole of the Bells” will be heard on the radio all season. $55-$99 per person.
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker
Dec. 16–27, times vary
$35-$75 per person.
NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
1 Center St., Newark
njpac.org
888-466-5722
Lightwire Theater Presents: A Very Electric Christmas
Dec. 13, 7 pm
This show is performed in total darkness with electroluminescent costumes, puppets and scenery. Keep your eyes peeled for glow-in-the-dark surprises as the North Pole comes to life set to timeless holiday hits. $30 per person.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Dec. 17, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
MC Kurtis Blow treats your family to an original holiday mashup where Tchaikovsky’s classic story gets remixed with hip hop dance and a ton of surprises. $25-$75 per person.
The Nutcracker
Dec. 18, 3 pm
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs the classic. $39-$89 per person.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Dec. 26, 7 pm
Cirque du Soleil takes on an electrifying stage presence as more than 20 performers don 300+ costumes to celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s. $49-$99 per person.
PLAYHOUSE 22
721 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick
playhouse22.org
732-254-3939
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 9 – 18, 8 pm Fridays, 4 pm and 8 pm
Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays
This will be a special 25th anniversary edition of the play. $18 per person.
PRUDENTIAL CENTER
25 Lafayette St., Newark
prucenter.com
973-757-6000
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 27, 3 pm and 7:30 pm
Music meets Christmas meets arts meets special effects during this immersive rock opera. During “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO” you’ll hear favorites told through the story of Christmas Eve. $49-$99 per person.
RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ARTS
118 Lamington Rd., Branchburg
908-725-3420
rvccarts.org
Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet
Dec. 9, 4 pm and 8 pm
$45-$60 per person.
ROXEY BALLET COMPANY
46 N. Sugan Rd., New Hope, PA
roxeyballet.org
609-397-7616
The Nutcracker
Nov. 26, 27 and 28; Dec. 3-4, times vary
At Villa Victoria Theater
376 W. Upper Ferry Road, Ewing
$25-$59.50 per person
A Very Lambertville Holiday Celebration
Dec. 21, 7 pm
At Music Mountain Theater 1483 Route 179, Lambertville Roxey Ballet and the Lambertville Historical Society celebrate the holidays with musicians and dancers from the local area. $50 per person for live show or virtual link.
SHEA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
At William Paterson University
300 Pompton Rd., Wayne
973-720-2371
wpunj.edu/wppresents
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Nov. 14, 7 pm
$45-$125 per person.
SOMERSET VALLEY PLAYERS
689 Amwell Rd., Hillsborough
svptheatre.org
908-369-7469
A Wicked Christmas Carol
Dec. 2–18, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm, Sundays, 2 pm; plus a 2 pm matinee, Saturday, Dec. 10
Ebenezer Scrooge is replaced by the Wicked Witch of the West, who will journey from the past to the future for a second chance on Christmas Eve. $18-20 per person.
STATE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
stnj.org
732-246-7469
The Nutcracker
Dec. 16-18, times vary
This version of the classic features a live orchestra and dancers from the American Repertory Ballet. $25-$65 per person.
The Queen’s Cartoonists Holiday Hurrah
Dec. 23, 8 pm
During “Yule Love It!” the band matches the energy of cartoons, leading the audience music and comedy. $24-44 per person.
STUDIO PLAYERS
14 Alvin Pl., Upper, Montclair
studioplayhouse.org
973-744-9752
Miracle on 34th Street
Dec. 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18, times vary
Kris Kringle gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. He helps parents find the toy their child has asked for, but also has to ensure one little girl’s belief in Santa. $22-$25 per person.