LivingTravel7 Christmas performances in the Seattle area

7 Christmas performances in the Seattle area

A festive evening in the greater Seattle area is not complete without a trip to the theater. And the regional calendar is packed with live entertainment for the whole family, from choral concerts to ballet shows and traditional plays. Well-established institutions such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet and A Contemporary Theater (ACT) provide seasonal entertainment deeply woven into the fabric of Seattle’s Christmas traditions. And local arts organizations like the Seattle Symphony and the Northwest Boyschoir also have holiday-themed concerts in December.

Round out your next shopping trip to the city with a quick bite to eat and an inspiring cultural event that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

The Nutcracker of the Pacific Northwest Ballet

A quintessential Nutcracker performance has long been a part of the holiday, no matter what city you are in. And the Pacific Northwest Ballet makes sure you don’t miss out with more than 30 performances scheduled each year. Performed in the Balanchine style, this ethereal ballet is accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s score in a sometimes playful and always spectacular style that guests expect. Bring the whole family and celebrate the season together.

The Messiah of the Seattle Symphony

This December performance takes on a slightly new shape each year and features rotating conductors, the Seattle Symphony, a full choir, and a host of exceptional choral soloists. Each seasonal display of Handle’s work wows audiences with energetic instrumental tempos, energetic soloists, and accurate representations of the original performance. Standing ovations are always the norm and it is not uncommon to leave the theater feeling like an overflowing glass.

Celtic Yuletide of Magic Strings

The Magic String Ensemble includes three generations of the Boulding family who, together, play Celtic harps, dulcimers, whistles, concertinas, and other stringed instruments. Their Yuletide concerts feature Celtic dancers, a traditional tale, and a moving and joyous medieval procession. And the night doesn’t end when the performance ends. A singing of Christmas carols follows the entertainment, as children of all ages join in the festivities.

A Contemporary Theater (ACT) The Christmas Carol

Take the family on a journey through a Charles Dickens vacation classic. This story follows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from surly employer to kind-hearted friend. And it’s been a part of the ACT game schedule for decades. Each kid-friendly production includes creative illusions and special effects to hold the little ones’ attention for the duration of the story.

Northwest Boychoir Christmas Carols and Lesson Festival

Regarded as one of the best children’s choirs in the nation, the Northwest Boyschoir features dozens of incredibly talented young singers between the ages of 10 and 14. This Festival of Lessons and Christmas Carols has followed the same basic format for the past 30 years: Nine Biblical passages (“the lessons”) are read, each followed by a Christmas carol. The angelic boys’ voices are amazing and their annual concerts sell out. So don’t wait until the last minute to buy your tickets.

Puget Sound Revels ‘  The Christmas Revels 

This mid-winter celebration has four performances and is held at a different location in Tacoma each year. It’s a fabulous display of acting and signing that generally follows a moving story, complete with comedy hits and seasonal overtones. Sit back and enjoy a colorful display of seasonal folk music and dance woven in and out of a story that can transport you to another place and time. The shows include performers of all ages and audience participation is encouraged and part of the fun too.

Tacoma City Ballet’s The Nutcracker Suite

The Tacoma Ballet traditionally puts a unique spin on this popular Christmas production. The show is performed by students from the Tacoma City School of Ballet and is accompanied by the City of Tacoma Ballet Orchestra. With two schedules of morning shows, the display of this production of “ballet sweets” is perfect for a younger audience with a limited attention span. The hour-long presentation culminates with a visit to “The Land of Sweets” for a sample of goodies – the icing on the cake.

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