Every year, Seattle’s holiday theater scene brings families together, and 2025 is shaping up to be especially memorable. Kid-friendly Christmas shows and seasonal performances — both classic and new — are filling local stages with music, color, and that unmistakable festive energy. From the return of “Elf” and “The Nutcracker” to big-ticket events like “The Lion King”, this year’s lineup offers something joyful for every family.
Here are the Christmas and holiday shows to add to your calendar.
“ELF The Musical” at 5th Avenue Theater
Anticipation is very high for this locally produced show. In fact, you might have seen Buddy the Elf galivanting around Seattle. The stage production inspired by the 2003 holiday movie runs Nov. 28-Dec. 28, 2025, with a variety of showtimes and ticket price points (including group discounts). Read our Parent Review of the 2025 production.
“The Lion King” at the Paramount
Speaking of highly anticipated, “Disney’s The Lion King” will also be in Seattle around the holidays. The touring Broadway production is at the Paramount Theatre from Dec. 4 to Jan. 4, 2026 — read our Parent Review and Backstage Tour Experience here. It is recommended for kids 6 and older and runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. Showtimes and ticket information. Special Note: We have a discount code for Seattle’s Child readers, 10% off tickets. Use this link and enjoy!
Black Nativity
- Date: Dec. 10-28, 2025 (Family Day is Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.)
- Time: Start times vary depending on say, with performances available at 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
- Cost: Adults $30-$95 weeknights, $40-$110 weekends, $28 for students and seniors. Children under 2 are admitted for free if not occupying a seat. NOTE: Intiman Theatre’s Free for Everyone program reserves 20 free walk-up tickets on the day of the performance beginning 60
minutes before show time. These tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Buy tickets here.
Langston Hughes’ gospel song-play returns! Featuring 30 performers, a live band, powerful vocals, a citywide gospel choir—and a chance to sing along. The magic and joy of the Christmas story is brought to life with vivid colors, dance and music. A joyful holiday celebration for all ages and beliefs that will have you leaping to your feet.
Family Day performance Dec. 23 when tickets are buy 3 get 1 free using code INTI-FAM on the 3rd screen of check out (not combinable with any other offer or discount). Lap children under the age of 4 and babies in arms do not need a ticket.
Mini Nutcracker and Santa Breakfast at DASSdance
- Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
- Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Location: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
- Cost: $32 for general admission, $27 for students and seniors. Children under 2 are admitted for free if not occupying a seat. Buy tickets here.
Enjoy a Santa Breakfast and mini Nutcracker performance by DASSdance. Continental breakfast, door prizes, and balloon magic for the kids are part of the festivities. You can also get your picture taken with both Santa and the Nutcracker characters!
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
- Time: 3 p.m. show and 7:30 p.m. show
- Location: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
- Cost: Prices start at $59.99 per person. Buy tickets here.
The orchestra is back at Climate Pledge Arena for two shows. This year’s show, “The Lost Christmas Eve,” is about a bitter old businessman. Once a rising star, he’d traded love, family, and joy for a life of solitude and regret. Expect an all-new, dazzling show packed with pyrotechnics, lasers, and storytelling.
“The Nutcracker” at Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Dates: November 28-December 28, 2025; digital access also available
- Location: McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
- Cost: $29-$207 per person. Buy tickets here.
This holiday classic has been a family tradition in the Seattle area for years, and PNB launched a new version of the timeless classic last year. It features George Balanchine’s choreography, Ian Falconer’s stage and costume design, and the PNB Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s score. Check out the PNB website ahead of time to learn the story and tips for your visit, including what to wear. Our 2025 Parent Review is now live.
“Come From Away” at Seattle Rep
- When: Nov. 28, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026
- Where: Bagley Wright Theater, 155 Mercer St., Seattle
- Tickets: Seattle Rep
When a tragic attack shuts down the skies on September 11, 2001, a small Newfoundland town finds itself hosting thousands of stranded air travelers from around the globe. This later became the inspiration for the musical “Come From Away,” which premiered at Seattle Rep in 2015 and went on to become a hit. To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Seattle Rep presents a jubilant new staging that “will welcome you back to Gander and make you feel like you never left.”
The show is recommended for ages 10 and up because of some brief adult content and mature themes, and the subject matter: the tragedy that was Sept. 11, 2001. However, it is generally considered family-friendly and is largely upbeat.
The show opens on Nov. 28, 2025, and has already been extended until Jan. 4, 2026; this feels like a warning that tickets might be in high demand.
Fa la la la la, ha ha ha ha: A Holiday Musical Extravaganza! Improv
- When: Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 6 p.m.
- Where: 1428 Post Alley, Seattle
- Cost: $13.71-$22.35 online.
Unexpected Productions celebrates the most beloved aspect of the holiday season: Hallmark’s feel-good holiday movie musicals! This festive event will commence with a sing-along and culminate in a holiday movie musical tailored to your suggestions. Cheerful yuletide fun. Who needs Auld Lang Syne when you can have brand new songs to celebrate the season?
“A Christmas Carol” at ACT
- Date: November 29-December 27, 2024. Select days and times.
- Location: Allen Theatre, 700 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101
- Cost: Prices vary; $10-$91. Buy tickets here.
Enjoy the 90-minute story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the visitors who lead him to gratitude and giving. ACT is in its 50th year of presenting this holiday classic. Suggested for children 5 and older.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Taproot Theater
- Date: December 4-27, 2025. Select days and times.
- Location: Taproot Theatre Company’s Isaac Studio Theatre, 212 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103
- Cost: Prices vary from $20 to $30. Children under 2 are $7. Buy tickets here.
This musical version brings the cartoon classic to life. Charlie Brown is depressed by the never-ending commercialism surrounding the holidays. Thankfully, Linus is there to help him find the true meaning of Christmas. This show welcomes all ages, and with a runtime of just 40 minutes, it will be manageable for even young fans.
“Jazz Nutcracker” performed by Roosevelt High School Jazz Band
- Date: December 6-8, 2024
- Time: 7:30 p.m. on Friday & Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday
- Location: Roosevelt High School Theatre, 1410 NE 66th St., Seattle, WA 98115
- Cost: Youth and seniors, $15; general admission, $25. Buy tickets here.
The nationally acclaimed Roosevelt Jazz band presents the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s “Jazz Nutcracker”, a fanciful and swingin’ take on the Tchaikovsky suite.
“Sound of Music” singalong at 5th Avenue
- When: 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday January 17; 12 p.m. Sunday, January 18
- Where: 5th Avenue Theatre
Sing away the post-holiday blues at this popular event at the 5th Avenue Theatre. The 1965 film is screened, complete with streaming lyrics. Beforehand, there will be a trivia contest, a costume contest, and a little coaching on how to maximize the experience. The whole extravaganza takes about four hours, so come rested!
“An (Improvised) Christmas Carol”
- When: Through Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. ; 3 p.m. matinees Dec. 20 and 21
- Where: 1428 Post Alley, Seattle
- Cost: $20 online, $25 at the door.
It’s heartwarming, it’s side-splitting, and it’s the perfect holiday tradition for the whole family! An Improvised Christmas Carol takes Dickens’ classic holiday tale and turns it into a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure where anything can happen.
Comedy for Everyone (Family-friendly improv all year round)
- When: Friday and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.
- Where: CSz Seattle – Home of ComedySportz at 3509 Fremont Ave N, Seattle
- Cost: Get tickets online for $17.50 kids and students; $20.50 adults
ComedySportz is improv comedy played as a sport. The show pits two teams of comedians against each other in a variety of games, in which they compete for audience laughter. It’s fun, fast-paced and clean comedy great kids ages 8 and up. Every show is driven by audience suggestions, and you pick the winners, so no two matches are alike.
Planning more festive adventures? Don’t miss our 2025 Guide to Holiday Fun for Seattle-Area Families.
