The holiday season just isn’t complete without a trip to the theater. New Jersey is home to some outstanding playhouses, many of which offer festive, holiday shows sure to delight the entire family. From classics like A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker to original musical productions, there are plenty of great productions hitting NJ stages this winter.
With that in mind, we recommend taking in the sights and sounds of Christmas by snagging tickets to one of the following great holiday shows.
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find a Holiday Show near you.
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Statewide Holiday Shows
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
When: November 21 at 2:00 and 7pm, Dream Live at American Dream (1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford)
December 6 at 5pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts (99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank)
Price: $35 to $109
Details: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland brings its magical extravaganza to New Jersey this holiday season. With awe-inspiring acrobatics and gravity-defying aerial feats, the Cirque performers will take you on a journey filled with music, marvels, and merriment. The combination of circus artistry and beloved holiday songs deliver a festive, heartwarming celebration that’s perfect for the whole family. Tickets are available on Cirque Musica’s website.
New Jersey Ballet’s Sensory-Friendly Performance of The Nutcracker
When: November 26 at 2:00 pm, Union County Performing Arts Center (1601 Irving St, Rahway)
Price: $8
Details: New Jersey Ballet presents a special sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker. It has been specially designed for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. This holiday favorite features adjusted lighting and sound, along with a relaxed atmosphere and supportive accommodations. Families can enjoy Clara’s magical journey to the Land of Sweets in a welcoming environment designed to make the ballet accessible to everyone.
American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker
When: November 27 to November 29, McCarter Theatre (91 University Place, Princeton)
December 5 to 6, Two River Theater (21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank)
December 17 to 20, State Theatre (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick)
Cost: $25 to $87
Details: For more than 60 years, American Repertory Ballet has been producing this Tchaikovsky classic. It includes a roster of professional artists plus more than 100 children from Princeton Ballet School, the ballet’s official school. The performance at State Theatre features a live orchestra and choir. See American Repertory Ballet’s website for tickets, locations, and times.
A Winter Romance with Engelbert Humperdinck
When: December 3 at 7:30pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South St, Morristown)
Price: $57 to $124
Details: Spend an enchanting evening with legendary crooner Engelbert Humperdinck as he brings his signature voice to the stage for “A Winter World of Love.” This festive concert blends his chart-topping hits—like “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz,” and “After the Lovin’”—with holiday favorites performed in his unmistakable style. With more than 140 million records sold worldwide, Humperdinck’s mix of romance, nostalgia, and holiday cheer makes this the perfect show to ring in the season. Tickets are available on MPAC’s website.
Darlene Love: Love for the Holidays
When: December 4 at 8pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South St, Morristown)
December 11 at 8pm, Bergen Performing Arts Center (30 N. Van Brunt St, Englewood)
Price: $39 to $101
Details: Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love. Best known for her powerhouse vocals on holiday classics like “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and hits from the A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector album, Love brings her signature energy and soulful style to the stage. Love for the Holidays blends her timeless Christmas favorites with beloved pop hits for a night of pure holiday joy from one of music’s most iconic voices. Tickets are available on MPAC and BPAC websites.
Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea’s Christmas Concert
When: December 4 at 7pm, Pollak Theater, Monmouth University (400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch)
December 19 at 2pm, Holy Family Chapel, Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth(2 Convent Road, Morristown)
January 3 at 3pm, Algonquin Arts Theater (60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan)
Price: $38 to $77
Details: Kick off the holidays with the 40th season of beloved Father Alphonse Stevenson’s Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea. This 42-piece orchestra and exceptional soloists perform a magical concert of festive carols and seasonal favorites, while Father Alphonse provides humorous and personal anecdotes. These performances are always in high demand and often sell out, so be sure to get your tickets early. They also travel to various parishes for holiday performances throughout the state; see Orchestra of St. Peter’s by the Sea website or Facebook page for dates and locations.
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony
When: December 5 to 6 at Bergen Performing Arts Center (30 N. Van Brunt St, Englewood)
December 11 to 27 at Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South St, Morristown)
Cost: $45 to $101
Details: New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the longest running original professional production in the state. It features students from the New Jersey School of Ballet dancing alongside company professionals. The New Jersey Symphony joins the holiday classic at all performances at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. See NJB’s website to purchase tickets, along with information on show dates and times. The ballet is for ages 4 and older.
Handel’s Messiah with the New Jersey Symphony
When: December 18 at 7:30pm, Richardson Auditorium (61 Nassau St, Princeton)
December 19 at 7:30pm, Alexander Kasser Theater (Montclair State University, Montclair)
December 20 at 7pm, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart (89 Ridge St, Newark)
Price: $33 to $160
Details: The New Jersey Symphony and Montclair State University Singers will come together for three performances of Handel’s Messiah in 2026. This must-hear holiday classic features “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and the “Hallelujah Chorus,” along with various arias. The December 20 performance within the esteemed Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark is especially moving. Tickets are available on the New Jersey Symphony’s website.
North Jersey
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
When: November 27 at 2:00 and 5pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South St, Morristown)
Price: $35 to $79
Details: Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts characters in their search to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. This stage adaptation features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi performed by a live band. VIP tickets (starting at $124) include seating in the first 10 rows, an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet, photo with the Peanuts gang, and commemorative lanyard. Tickets are available on MPAC’s website.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
When: November 28 at 2:00 and 7:30pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South St, Morristown)
Price: $67 to $124
Details: Celebrate the season with Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, a holiday tradition that has entertained audiences for more than 40 years. Created by Chip Davis, the show combines the group’s signature blend of classical and contemporary Christmas music with spectacular lighting and multimedia effects for a festive holiday experience.
Christmas with Canadian Brass
When: December 12 at 3pm, Victoria Theater, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1 Center St, Newark)
Price: $58 to $94
Details: Get into the holiday spirit with Canadian Brass, the world-renowned brass quintet known for its exceptional musicianship and playful sense of humor. The group’s Christmas with Canadian Brass concert features a festive mix of traditional carols and holiday classics, along with plenty of entertaining banter. The performance also features the New Jersey Youth Chorus’s Coriste ensemble.
State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents The Nutcracker
When: December 13 at 3pm, Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1 Center Street, Newark)
Cost: $46 to $106
Details: The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s holiday spectacle comes to Prudential Hall at NJPAC in Newark on December 13. Their classic show transports you to a dazzling winter wonderland with Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognizable music. Enjoy hand-painted sets and 200+ elaborate costumes. Tickets can be purchased on NJPAC’s website.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
When: December 26 at 4:00 and 8pm, Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1 Center Street, Newark)
Cost: $46 to $184
Details: Keep the holiday celebrations going with Cirque Dreams: Holidaze, a dazzling combination of circus acts and Broadway-style entertainment. This reimagined production for 2026 features high-flying aerialists, incredible acrobats, jugglers, singers, dancers and colorful holiday characters. With two performances on December 26, it’s a fun family outing during the holiday break.
Central Jersey
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
When: November 15 at 6:30pm, State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick)
Cost: $58 to $117
Details: This energetic holiday remix and reimagination of Tchaikovsky’s ballet has been supercharged with hip-hop choreography. A dozen all-star dancers go all-out, dancing to the classic story of The Nutcracker—New York City–style. Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, sets the mood as guest emcee. Tickets are available on the State Theatre New Jersey website.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
When: November 20 to 22, State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick)
Price: $70 to $129
Details: The beloved holiday movie A Christmas Story comes to life with four performances, with daytime and evening shows. Follow Ralphie Parker on his quest for a Red Ryder BB gun, complete with the film’s memorable moments, from the infamous leg lamp to the pink bunny pajamas. For an additional $15 per person, guests can enjoy a festive pre-show gathering with holiday cookies, hot cocoa, music, and an auction of autographed music memorabilia. Tickets are available on the State Theatre New Jersey website.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
When: November 27 at 4:30 and 7:30pm, State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick)
Price: $48 to $119
Details: World-class circus performers put on a dazzling show with a unique spin to Christmas classics. A little drummer boy juggles his drumsticks and an aerialist tree ornament flies through the sky. There are acrobatic icicles, trick bicycles, a jolly ringmaster, and many more enthralling acts, all set to your favorite holiday hits. Tickets are available on the State Theatre New Jersey website.
The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas
When: November 29 at 7pm, State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick)
Price: $46 to $177
Details: Celebrate the season with a festive mix of traditional Christmas carols and beloved Irish songs. Renowned for their soaring harmonies and powerful voices, Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan, and Patrick Hyland perform holiday favorites from their best-selling album We Three Kings. They’ll also include timeless Irish classics. It’s an evening of beautiful music for the whole family. Tickets are available on the State Theatre New Jersey website.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
When: December 4 to 6, Kelsey Theatre at Mercer Community College (1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township)
Price: $16 to $18
Details: Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre presents a magical rendition of Clement Moore’s classic poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” There will be five different performances at various times over the span of three days. This musical adaptation features Santa, his eight tiny reindeer, sugar plums, a mouse, and the Moore family, all set in a winter wonderland circa-1822 New York. Meet Santa for pictures after all performances. Tickets can be purchased on Kelsey Theatre’s website.
Forever Motown Christmas
When: December 6 at 7pm, State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick)
Price: $35 to $118
Details: Celebrate the holidays with the unforgettable sounds of Motown. Former members of legendary groups and Broadway performers come together for a high-energy tribute to The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Four Tops. Classic hits include “My Girl,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” The show combines soulful vocals, classic choreography, and dazzling costumes for a nostalgic night of music. Tickets are available on the State Theatre New Jersey website.
Santa’s Circus
When: December 18 at 8pm (doors open at 7pm), UCPAC Main Stage (1601 Irving St, Rahway)
Price: $37 to $77
Details: Celebrate the season with Santa’s Circus, a Christmas-themed spectacular featuring incredible acrobatics, magic, illusions, comedy, and plenty of holiday surprises. This family-friendly production combines thrilling circus acts with festive entertainment for audiences of all ages. Kids can also meet their favorite Christmas characters and write letters to Santa with a little help from Mrs. Claus. Tickets can be purchased at UCPAC’s website.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series
When: December 19 at 10am (doors open at 9) and 1pm (doors open at Noon), Hamilton Stage (360 Hamilton St, Rahway)
Price: $10
Details: Enjoy a nostalgic holiday movie outing with a special screening of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. This beloved family classic tells the heartwarming story of Emmet Otter and his mother, who each enter a talent contest in hopes of winning enough money to buy the other a Christmas gift. Arrive early to make a festive craft, then settle in with free popcorn (one per person). Tickets can be purchased at UCPAC’s website.
The Polar Express in 35mm
When: December 23: organ concert at 6pm, film starts at 7pm, Hamilton Stage (360 Hamilton St, Rahway)
Price: $17 to $22
Details: All aboard for a holiday movie adventure at Hamilton Stage! Come enjoy The Polar Express on the big screen just two days before Christmas. Arrive early at 6:00 pm to snap a selfie with Santa in the lobby and hear a holiday organ concert. Then settle in for a heartwarming journey to the North Pole. A family-friendly tradition that brings the magic of the season to life. Tickets can be purchased at UCPAC’s website.
Jersey Shore
Dickens Fest
When: November 28 at 1:00 and 5pm; November 29 at 1pm, Historic Smithville (615 Moss Mill Rd, Galloway)
Price: Free admission
Details: Historic Smithville’s two-day outdoor Dickens Fest features an original musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” This classic tale by Charles Dickens is performed on an outdoor stage by the Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company along with children of all ages from the community. The show ends with a rousing Christmas carol sing-along, which is sure to get everyone into the holiday spirit.
Iving Berlin’s Holiday Inn
When: November 28 to December 19 (various dates) at 2:00 and 7:30pm, Surflight Theatre (201 Engleside Ave, Beach Haven)
Price: $36 to $46
Details: Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven presents this festive musical about a former entertainer who trades show business for a quiet life on a Connecticut farm. When he meets a talented schoolteacher, they transform the farmhouse into an inn featuring holiday performances. Filled with singing, dancing, and romance, the show features Irving Berlin classics including “White Christmas,” “Blue Skies,” and “Easter Parade.” Tickets are available through Surflight’s website.
It’s a Shore Holiday
When: November 29 at 3pm, Stafford Arts Center (1000 McKinley Ave, Manahawkin)
December 12 at 4pm, Ocean City Music Pier (825 Broadway, Ocean City)
Price: $22 to $54
Details: Atlantic City Ballet celebrates the season with a festive holiday revue inspired by the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This family-friendly production combines classical and contemporary dance with favorite holiday songs. Expect colorful costumes, dancing snowmen, chipmunks, and plenty of Christmas cheer as the stage transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Tickets available on Atlantic City Ballet’s website.
Atlantic City Ballet’s The Nutcracker
When: December 5 at Levoy Theatre (126-130 N High Street, Millville)
December 6 at Ocean City High School (501 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City)
December 11 and 12 at Stockton Performing Arts Center (101 Vera King Farris Dr Lot 6, Galloway)
December 19 at The Strand Theater (400 Clifton Ave, Lakewood)
Price: $12 to $74
Details: Since 1982, the Atlantic City Ballet has been delighting families at the holiday season with their annual production of The Nutcracker. Performances are held at a variety of theaters throughout the South Jersey and Jersey Shore areas. Tickets, times, and locations can be viewed on Atlantic City Ballet’s website.
The Michael Bublé Experience: “A Very Bublé Christmas”
When: December 11 at 9pm, Tropicana Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City, (2831 Broadway, Atlantic City)
Price: Starting at $40
Details: Enjoy a festive night of smooth vocals and Big Band sparkle with The Michael Bublé Experience: A Very Bublé Christmas. This holiday tribute brings the warmth, charm, and classic style of Michael Bublé to the stage for an unforgettable evening of seasonal favorites and timeless hits. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Broadway for the Holidays
When: December 11 to 20 (select dates) at 2:00 and 7:30pm, Black Box Theater, The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts (1 College Dr, Toms River)
Price: $22 to $26
Details: The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season. This festive extravaganza takes you on a journey through beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays is an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family. Tickets are available on the Grunin Center website.
Holiday Express Ultimate Holiday Show
When: December 15 at 7:30pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts (99 Monmouth St, Red Bank)
Price: $48 to $181
Details: Now in its 34th season, the acclaimed Monmouth County philanthropic group Holiday Express brings its “Ultimate Holiday Show” back to the Basie Center. More than 50 professional musicians and singers perform a mix of traditional, gospel, and rock ‘n soul holiday music in a spectacular performance that will touch you with the spirit of the season. Proceeds help Holiday Express continue its mission of sharing food, gifts, music, financial support, and friendship with those in need. Tickets available on Holiday Express’s website.
Here (Top) Photo: © Roxey Ballet Company