Seattle holiday live theater is full of opportunities for fabulous family entertainment! Now i the time do look at all the options and get your tickets based on your budget and family holiday plans.
Excitement is building for the 5th Avenue Theatre holiday production of “Mary Poppins.”
In case you need a refresher: “Precocious children Michael and Jane Banks have exhausted every nanny—that is, until Mary Poppins drops in on a strange breeze. Revel in the spectacle of this chimney-sweeping epic that sees them traverse the roofs of London to encounter colorful characters in a fantastically magical world.”
It will run Nov. 22-Dec. 26. Tickets must be going fast, because additional performances already have been added.
The 5th says this about the content: “Mary Poppins is generally suitable for all ages but contains strong emotional moments and moments depicting children and family members in conflict.” Children under 4, including abes in arms, will not be admitted
Tickets are on sale now, and it’s not too late to save by subscribing to the full 2024-25 season, which also includes “The Last Five Years,” “Waitress,” “Parade,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “After Midnight.” Also, groups of 10 or more people can buy tickets at a discount.
Black Friday ticket special: For a limited time, people can purchase buy one/get one tickets to see “Mary Poppins” on select Sunday evenings. The discount is available Dec. 1, 8 and 15, but the special is on only through the end of the night Friday, November 29. Use promo code BLACKFRIDAY2425 when buying online.
Also in Seattle fall/holiday theater: The 2024-25 Broadway at The Paramount season has two fall shows that, while not particularly holiday-ish, would make a fun and festive outing: “Wicked” runs Nov. 6-Dec. 1, and “Back to the Future” Dec. 10-22, both at the Paramount Theatre.
In addition, single tickets for a winter run of “Hamilton” go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 8.
Hamilton will be at the Paramount Theatre from Feb. 4-March 2, 2025. Prices will range from $49-$224. To be announced later: a lottery for 40 $10 seats for all performances. Ticket info here.
Karin Terry and Brad Lo Walker in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Taproot Theatre. (Photo by Robert Wade Photography)
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
A musical adaptation of the popular cartoon TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” will be staged at Taproot Theater from Dec. 5-28. Charlie Brown is depressed by the neverending commercialism surrounding the holidays. Thankfully, Linus is there to help him find the true meaning of Christmas.
The schedule includes a “pay what you can” preview, a sensory-friendly show and cosplay night on Friday, Dec. 13: Wear your Charlie Brown-inspired finest!
Full schedule and ticket information here.
‘SCT’s The Snow Queen’
Seattle Children’s Theatre will premiere “SCT’s The Snow Queen,” an original adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that inspired Disney’s “Frozen.” The SCT production is a collaboration with The National Nordic Museum and Western Washington University. SCT. It tells the tale of young Gerda, who embarks on a brave adventure to rescue her friend Kay, who has been taken by the enchanting yet perilous Snow Queen.
The show runs about 80 minutes and is suitable for ages 6 and up. It opens Nov. 30 and runs through Jan. 5, 2025. Details and tickets here.
Related: Seattle Children’s Theatre completes $4.7 million renovation
Fall/holiday theater: Grand Kyiv Ballet
The Northwest-based Grand Kyiv Ballet has two holiday shows on stages around the Puget Sound area. First is its production of “The Nutcracker,” which will be performed in Kirkland, Federal Way and Arlington. In addition, the ballet will premiere its new production, “Snow Queen,” a classic fairytale transformed into an exquisite ballet about love and friendship. It is a colorful journey full of dangers and obstacles, showing “how the warmth of a friend’s devoted heart removes the spell of a wicked Queen.”
Grand Kyiv Ballet will donate a portion of its proceeds to renovating the Main Ballet Academy of Ukraine.
Here is the schedule of local performances, plus ticket information:
“Nutcracker”
Tuesday through Thursday, 7 p.m. Dec. 10-12, Kirkland Performing Arts Center
Sunday, Dec. 22, Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, Byrnes Performing Arts Center, Arlington
“Snow Queen”
Noon Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 – The Paramount Theatre, Seattle
1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 – Edmonds Center for the Performing Arts; additional show Sunday, Dec. 29. at 6 p.m.
PNB’s ‘The Nutcracker’
George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” is a Seattle holiday tradition. Dates this year for the Pacific NW Ballet production are Nov. 29-Dec. 28 at McCaw Hall in Seattle. The “Nutcracker” experience features a picture-perfect lobby, Tchaikovsky’s classic score performed by live orchestra and much more. A sensory-friendly performance is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19.
Photo credit: Trans Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, celebrating 20 years of its rock opera “The Lost Christmas Eve,” will play two shows in Seattle on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Tickets — including a limited number of $49.99 seats — went on sale Sept. 13. Showtimes are 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Climate Pledge Arena. In the band’s charitable tradition, it will donate a portion of proceeds from the afternoon show to Operation Warm (which gives coats to kids who need them) and from the evening show to Northwest Harvest.
If you are unfamiliar with TSO, you need to know that its shows are loud, high-energy spectacles with pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
Calder Jameson Shilling and Richard Nguyen Sloniker in “Happy Christmas Jeeves” at Taproot Theatre. (Photo by Giao Nguyen)
‘Happy Christmas, Jeeves’ at Taproot
Seattle’s Taproot Theatre will premiere “Happy Christmas, Jeeves,” a comedy based on the stories of PG Wodehouse. Here’s the description:
“Step into the whimsical world of Bertie Wooster and his impeccable valet, Jeeves. All Bertie wants for Christmas is a quiet night at home with no relatives, but his tranquility is shattered by a love-smitten pal and the impending arrival of the meddling Aunt Agatha. Join the mirth and mayhem in a delightful comedy that will tickle your fancy and warm your heart.”
It opens November 29 and runs through December 28 with a variety of showtimes and ticket price points, including a “pay what you can” show on Nov. 27 and an intergenerational matinee at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. That features $10 student/chaperone tickets, an educational play guide, and a guided post-play discussion. (Target audience for this show is ages 12 and up.)
Full details and ticket information.
Hawaiian flavor in Edmonds
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays In Hawaii: Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro brings his holiday show to Edmonds Center for the Arts. His unique and dynamic style reflects his deep love and respect for the ukulele. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19
Kalani Pe’a’s Hawaiian Christmas: A celebration of the warmth and special “aloha” of the holiday season. This show features songs from both Western and Hawaiian roots. Three-time Grammy winner Kalani Pe’a is a charismatic performer with a captivating style. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.
Read more:
Your ultimate guide to Seattle area holiday Nutcracker performances
A guide to local Nutcracker performances
More things to do in Seattle’s Child
(Originally published Aug. 15, 2024)
