UPDATED! SoCal holiday shows 2023: ‘Christmas Carols,’ ‘Nutcrackers,’ the L.A. County Holiday Celebration and more
Peruse the latest update of our holiday roundup — now with more stuff!
Find a show that you, your friends and/or the whole family might enjoy with our supersized list of live events at area venues this holiday season…
‘Love Actually Live’ The tune-filled celebration of the 2003 rom-com returns; for ages 13 and older; includes adult content, brief nudity. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Various times, Nov. 22 thru Dec. 30. $69-$139. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org
‘Cori Cable Kidder’s Holiday Spectacular — A 1940s Christmas Revue’ Standards and seasonal favorites. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Various times, Nov. 24 thru Dec. 23. $25-$45. (626) 355-4318. sierramadreplayhouse.org
South Coast Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Longtime company member Richard Doyle portrays Scrooge in Dickens’ classic fable. SCR, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Various times, Nov. 24 thru Dec. 24. (714) 708-5555. scr.org
American Contemporary Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ The L.A.-based company reprises its intimate take on the Tchaikovsky classic. Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., 28th Floor, downtown L.A. Various times, Nov. 25 thru Dec. 24. $65-$140. (213) 304-3408. acbdances.com
‘Bob Baker’s Nutcracker’ It’s the old holiday favorite ... with a few strings attached. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park. Various times, Nov. 25 thru Jan. 7. $28; ages 2 and under, free if lap-sitting. (213) 250-9995. bobbakermarionettetheater.com
‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Holiday Show’ Family-friendly show based on Eric Carle’s children’s books. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Various times, Nov. 25 thru Jan. 21. $30-$65. (818) 508-4200. hungrycaterpillarshow.com
A Noise Within’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ The hit staging of Dickens’ classic fable returns; for ages 5 and up; babies and toddlers not admitted. ANW, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Various times, Dec. 1 thru 24. $29 and up; student rush, $18. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org
‘It’s a Wonderful Life — On Air!’ Radio-style presentation of the 1946 fantasy that starred James Stewart. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Various times, Dec. 1 thru 23. $22-$33. (805) 583-7900. simi-arts.org
Los Angeles Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ The local company’s annual touring production returns. Dolby Theatre (with live orchestra), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 21 thru 23. Also at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Dec. 24 & 26; $38-$131. Also at the $45-$138. (310) 998-7782. losangelesballet.org
‘Santasia: A Holiday Comedy’ The long-running nostalgia-fueled variety show is back. For ages 13 and older. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Various times, Dec. 1 thru 23. $35. santasia.com
Inland Pacific Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ The company’s annual touring production returns. Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, Dec. 22-23. $61 and up; discounts available. (909) 482-1590. ipballet.org
‘A Christmas Story — The Musical’ The hit show based on the nostalgic 1983 comedy returns. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuedays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5 thru 31. $40-$169. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas — The Musical’ Hit stage show based on the animated 1966 TV special. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Various times, Dec. 19 thru 24. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘A Cinderella Christmas’ Family-friendly Panto-style musical comedy based on the classic fairytale; with Joely Fisher. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach. Various times, Dec. 7 thru 29. $26 and up; ages 2 and older must have ticket; children under 2, lap-seated, $10, at box office only. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘A Christmas Carol with Charles Dickens’ Independent Shakespeare Co.’s David Melville re-creates a reading of the holiday fable by the author himself; for ages 8 and up. ISC Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. Various times, Dec. 8-10, 14-17 and 19-23. $27.50 and up. (818) 710-6306. iscla.org
‘Santa’s Circus’ Family-friendly cirque-style stage spectacular. The Montalbán, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood. Various times, Dec. 8 thru 23. $37 and up. santascircusexperience.com
‘White (Album) Christmas’ Troubadour Theater Company’s latest mashup reworks the classic 1954 Bing Crosby musical with tracks from the Beatles’ classic 1968 album. Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third St., Burbank. Various times, Dec. 8 thru 23. $50-$65. (818) 558-7000. troubie.com
Festival Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Student dancers perform alongside the company’s professionals as well as guest artists. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Various times, Dec. 21-24. $49-$120. festivalballet.org
‘A Very Die Hard Christmas’ Hit musical spoofs the 1988 Bruce Willis action thriller. Mary Levin Cutler Theatre, Beverly Hills High School, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 10 & 17 and Wednesday, Dec. 20. $35. (310) 364-3606. theatre40.org
‘On the Farce Day of Christmas’ A recently divorced woman goes to great lengths to hide that fact from her religious mother in Ken Levine’s farce. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Various times, Dec. 14 thru 23. $20-$30. 310-512-6030. littlefishtheatre.org
‘Oy! To the World — Christmas With a Twist! New musical comedy salutes Jewish songwriters of yore. El Portal Theatre’s Monroe Forum, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Various times, Dec. 14 thru 23. $50-$60. (818) 508-4200. elportaltheatre.com
‘Pasadena Playhouse Holiday Spectacular’ With Broadway veterans George Salazar, Lesli Margherita, et al., in this show for ages 6 and up. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Dec. 19-23. $39 and up. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
‘Long Beach Nutcracker’ Long Beach Ballet performs with live orchestra. Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Ave., Long Beach. Various times, Dec. 16 thru 23. $35-$85. longbeachnutcracker.com
‘Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular’ With Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar. Musco Center, One University Drive, Orange. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-22. $21.25-$78. (714) 997-6812. muscocenter.org
‘The Holidays with Canadian Brass’ Holiday favorites and more. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. $38-$98. (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org
‘Pacific Chorale Presents: Tis the Season!’ With Southern California Children’s Chorus and members of Pacific Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Hall, Costa Mesa. 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. $32-$163. (714) 662-2345. pacificchorale.org
‘Carols on the Plaza’ Family-friendly outdoor sing-along. The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. Free. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org
‘Messiah Sing-Along’ Los Angeles Master Chorale’s annual participatory presentation of Handel’s oratorio. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. (213) 972-7282. $55-$149. lamasterchorale.org
‘Sister’s Christmas Catechism’ Irreverent retelling of the Nativity story. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach. 7:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 18-19. $41-$51. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘Holiday Organ Spectacular’ Organist Todd Wilson performs with members of Pacific Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19. $30-$142. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
‘Home Alone in Concert’ The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Angeles Chorale perform John Williams’ score to accompany three screenings of the 1990 holiday comedy; for ages 2 and up. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 20-22. $51-$249. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘An Irish Christmas’ Traditional Irish music and dance. Scherr Forum, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-21. $50, $70. (805) 449-2765. bapacthousandoaks.com
‘Lady Bunny: A Very Blue X-mas’ The NYC-based drag diva puts her saucy stamp on seasonal favorites in this West Coast premiere for ages 18 and older only. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. $25-$60; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
‘Both: A Hard Day’s Silent Night’ A choir and a live band put a gospel spin on classic Beatles tunes in Open Fist Theatre Company’s annual holiday benefit. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m Thursday, Dec. 21; 4 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $25-$50. openfist.org
Handel’s Messiah With Long Beach Camerata Singers and Tesserae Baroque Ensemble. Beverly O’Neill Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. $40-$65. (562) 900-2863. longbeachcameratasingers.org
‘Holidaze Harmony: Live!’ With Broadway’s Kamilah Marshall and Terron Brooks. Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 21-23. $60-$85. (818) 955-8004. garrymarshalltheatre.org
‘Jackie Beat’s It’s the Most Miserable Time of the Year’ The local drag legend “celebrates” the season. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Monday & Thursday, Dec. 18 & 21. $25-$35; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
‘Alisan Porter: Home for the Holidays’ The Season 10 winner of NBC’s “The Voice” performs. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. $25-$60; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
‘Drumline Live Holiday Spectacular’ Holiday favorites set to funky marching band-style beats. Cerritos Center, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $49-$74. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com
‘The Pan American Nutcracker Suite’ With Joe McCarthy’s New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band. Segerstrom Center’s Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $89 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘Arturo Sandoval Swinging Holiday’ The Grammy-winning trumpet player performs. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $54-$134. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
Katharine McPhee & Take 6 Holiday Concert with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra The former “American Idol” contestant and the a capella gospel group are featured in this one-night-only stage spectacular. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $33 and up. alextheatre.org
‘The Nutcracker’ Santa Barbara’s Stare Street Ballet performs. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $25-$150. (562) 944-9801. LaMiradaTheatre.com
The 64th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration Myriad local music and dance groups take part in this free, family-friendly and multicultural celebration. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Free; first come, first served. (213) 972-3099. musiccenter.org