Cue the applause—holiday shows are coming, and bringing your kids to experience the Nutcracker in NJ and holiday-themed shows is a joyful way to kick off the festive season. See the classic New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, enjoy The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert with the New Jersey Symphony at The State Theater of New Jersey in New Brunswick, or get into the holiday spirit with Derek Hough-Dance For The Holidays at the Circus Maximus Theater at Caesar’s Atlantic City. Scroll down to buy your tickets now before they sell out for the most festive holiday shows this season. For more family-friendly performances all year, check out these performing arts centers in NJ. (featured photo credit: Mayo Performing Arts Center)
Where To Watch Holidays Performances And The Nutcracker In NJ
North Jersey Performing Arts Centers
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Bergem Performing Arts Center, aka bergenPAC, attracts over 150,000 theater-goers annually, offering concerts, stand-up comedy, dance performances, and family-friendly events.
Holiday Doo Wop – November 9
The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays – November 17
Happy Franks-Giving! Swingtime Big Band Celebrates Sinatra – November 23
Fairytale of New York – The Ultimate Irish-Inspired Christmas Concert – November 30
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker – December 7-8
Great American Soulbook: Holiday Edition – December 12
Grand Kyiv Ballet’s Snow Queen – December 23
Event Calendar
30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ 07631
Hackensack Performing Arts Center
The Hackensack Meridian Health Theater also nurtures new artists and professional theater companies.
The Christmas Caper – Dec 6 -14
Event Calendar
102 State Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Paper Mill Playhouse
Considered a pre-Broadway venue in New Jersey, the Paper Mill Playhouse has performances for the whole family and classes, too.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – November 27-December 29
Event Calendar
22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ 07041
Mayo Performing Arts Center
This nonprofit performing arts center in downtown Morristown offers shows featuring popular musical acts, dance troupes, family fun, and more.
The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays – November 16
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage – November 29
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis – November 30
The Sensational Soul Cruisers: Destination Soultown Holiday Show – December 3
Samara Joy: “A Joyful Holiday” featuring the McLendo Family – December 4
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert with New Jersey Symphony – December 5
A Johnny Mathis Christmas – December 7
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony – December 13-26
Event Calendar
100 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Known for its art offerings in Newark, NJPAC has options for family outings and date nights.
Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour – November 26
Thanksgiving Comedy Fest – November 30
A Magical Cirque Christmas – December 5
New Jersey Symphony: The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert – December 7
The Hip Hop Nutcracker – December 8
An Eric Roberson Holiday Show – December 8
A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin following a screening of Home Alone – December 13
The Nutcracker The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine – December 15
Christmas with CeCe Winans Live in Concert – December 20-21
Forces of Nature Dance Theatre – December 22
Event Calendar
1 Center St., Newark, NJ 07102
Nunnbetter Dance Theatre
Nunnbetter Dance School students and New York City ballet dancers come together every December to create a full-length adaptation of the Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker – December 20-22
Event Calendar
Bergen County Academies, 200 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601
The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey
The Growing Stage, the Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, is perfect for young audiences with kid-friendly shows featuring young casts.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – December 6-22
Event Calendar
7 Ledgewood Ave., Netcong, NJ 07857
Union County Performing Arts Center, also known as UCPAC
With four performance spaces, the Union County Performing Arts Center includes children’s plays and live performances, musicals, film presentations, multicultural programs and events, and live concerts.
The Nightmare Before Christmas in 35MM – November 21
Orchestra of St Peter by the Sea Holiday Concert – November 30
NJ Ballet The Nutcracker – Sensory Friendly Performance – December 1
Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular 2024 – December 6
Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas – Special Matinee Show – December 8
A Rahway Nutcracker starring Daphne Lee – December 13
Hodges & Hodges Productions Presents: A Christmas To Remember – December 14
A Very Maysa Christmas with Special Guests The String Queens – December 14
Amahl and the Night Visitors 2024 – December 15
The Muppet Christmas Carol in 35MM – December 19
Event Calendar
360 Hamilton St., Rahway, NJ 07065, and 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
Central Jersey Performing Art Centers
Algonquin Arts Theater
Visit this nonprofit center for performing arts with theatre, music, dance, and film programs.
A Carole King Christmas – November 24
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – December 7-21
It’s A Wonderful Life – December 10
Event Calendar
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
The theater showcases varied and distinct cultural programs.
Fiddler on the Roof – November 1-24
Winter Wonderland – December 14-15
Event Calendar
100 Grant Avenue, Deal, NJ 07723
Count Basie Center of the Arts
This Jersey Shore theatre offers numerous performances throughout the year, educational and cultural partnerships, and a school with acting and vocal classes for all ages.
Elf The Musical – November 19-24
A Johnny Mathis Christmas – December 5
The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert – December 6
Holiday Doo Woo – December 7
The Nutcracker – December 13-15
Holiday Express – December 17
Darlene Love – December 20
Brian Kirk & The Jirks: Santa For Lunch Break – December 21
Monmouth Civic Chorus: Making Spirits Bright – December 22
Event Calendar
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ 07701
McCarter Theatre Center
Located in the heart of Princeton’s Arts District, the McCarter Theatre offers various programming for patrons, with new plays, a mix of performance art and cultural attractions, nutcracker performances, and educational programs.
American Repertory Ballet Presents The Nutcracker – November 29-December 1
A Christmas Carol – December 10-29
Event Calendar
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Spring Lake Theatre
Step back into a building from the 1920s to see local productions and musicals for the whole family.
Scrooge – December 5-22
Event Calendar
300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Strand Theater
Since 1922, The Strand has had a rich history with monumental performances over the years.
The Wag’s Christmas Spectacular – December 14
Atlantic City Ballet’s The Nutcracker – December 21
Event Calendar
400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701
The State Theater of New Jersey
Located in Central New Jersey, this New Brunswick nonprofit theater, which has 1,811 seats, used to showcase silent films.
Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas – November 23-24
A Drag Queen Christmas – November 25
An Evening with Chevy Chase & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – December 5
Kulture Kool – December 7
The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert with New Jersey Symphony – December 8
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland – December 14
The Nutcracker – December 20-22
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert – December 31
Event Calendar
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The Vogel
Part of the Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, this venue was named after area philanthropists Anne and Sheldon Vogel in honor of their support of the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
Count Basie Center Gospel Choir: Giving Thanks – November 25
David Benoit Christmas Tribute To Charlie Brown – December 7
Sister’s Christmas Catechism – December 8
A Christmas Carol Performed By Gerald Charles Dickens – December 9
LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah – December 13
Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank – December 14
Sal Valentinetti: Christmas Comes To Town – December 15
Everett Bradley’s HOLIDELIC – December 20
Event Calendar
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
South Jersey Performing Arts Centers
Borgata
A hotel, casino, and entertainment galore see everything from comedy shows to concerts at this South Jersey venue.
Christmas In Concert – December 7
John Legend – A John Legend Christmas – December 20
Event Calendar
1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Broadway Theatre of Pitman
Since opening in 1926 as a vaudeville theater, this South Jersey entertainment spot has hosted shows, concerts, children’s theater, and summer camps.
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn – December 13-22
The Calamari Sisters’ Feast of the Seven Fishes – December 27-29
Event Calendar
43 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
Circus Maximus Theater at Caesar’s Atlantic City
Spend the dance in Atlantic City and take in a show at Caesar’s in Atlantic City—there’s no better combination of shore and shows in one location.
Derek Hough – Dance for the Holidays – November 1
Atlantic City Ballet – It’s a Shore Holiday – November 16
Atlantic City Ballet – The Nutcracker – December 15
Event Calendar
2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
This venue is the country’s original convention center, hosting events from galas to concerts to theatrical functions. It also houses the largest musical instrument on earth—its pipe organ.
Disney on Ice presents Let’s Dance! – November 21-24
Deck the Hall: Opening Sponsor Reception – December 11
8th Annual Deck the Hall: Festival of Trees – December 12-January 3
Event Calendar
2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Levoy Theatre
A theatre that reaches out to children and the community to make the arts accessible to everyone.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – November 15
Jane Lynch’s ” A Swingin’ Little Christmas” – December 3
The Polar Express – December 7
The Great American Soul Book: Christmas Edition – December 8
Top of the World: A Carpenter’s Christmas Show featuring Debbie Taylor – December 13
Twelve Twenty Four: A Holiday Orchestra Show – December 15
The Nutcracker – December 20
It’s A Wonderful Life – December 22
The Nightmare Before Christmas – December 22
Event Calendar
126-130 N. High Street, Millville, NJ 08332
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort
If you are looking for live music, entertainment, and a place to stay overnight, Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort has it all.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze – December 1
Event Calendar
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Stafford Township Arts Center
The Stafford Township Arts Center holds various events throughout the year and fits up to 800 guests.
It’s A Shore Holiday – December 1
The New York Tenors – December 14
New Year’s Eve Spectacular – December 31
Event Calendar
1000 McKinley Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Surflight Theatre
This Jersey Shore 450-seat theater offers Mainstage shows and Children’s Theatre.
Miracle on 34th Street – November 30-December 15
Holidays with The Jersey Tenors – December 21
NYE Bubbly Bash – The Rave-Ons – December 31
Event Calendar
201 Englewide Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008
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