Cue the applause—holiday shows are coming, and bringing your kids to experience the Nutcracker and holiday-themed shows is a joyful way to kick off the festive season in NJ. See the classic New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with The New Jersey Symphony at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, enjoy A Magical Cirque Christmas at The State Theater of New Jersey in New Brunswick, or get into the holiday spirit with Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. 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 Holiday Performances And The Nutcracker In NJ
North Jersey Performing Arts Centers
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Bergen Performing Arts Center, aka bergenPAC, attracts over 150,000 theatergoers annually and offers concerts, stand-up comedy, dance performances, and family-friendly events.
An Evening With Peter Billingsley and A Christmas Story – November 14
A Very Jenn and Mel Christmas Show – November 29
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker – December 5-6
Darlene Love – Love for the Holidays – December 11
Holiday Doo Wop – December 12
Event Calendar
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
Hackensack Performing Arts Center
The Hackensack Meridian Health Theater also nurtures new artists and professional theater companies.
A Night With NéLasheé – December 19
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.
Mary Poppins – November 18 – January 13, select dates
Theater for Young Audiences – December 20
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.
Guest Attraction – Murray & Peter Present: A Drag Queen Christmas – November 18
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage – November 27
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis – November 28
A Live Conservation with Chevy Chase following a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – November 29
A Winter Romance with Engelbert Humperdinck – December 3
Darlene Love: Love For The Holidays – December 4
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony – December 11-27
Event Calendar
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Mile Square Theatre
This non-profit performing arts organization is dedicated to enriching the arts and cultural landscape of Hudson County and now it is a 120 seat theatre with an on-site rehearsal studio.
A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play – December 3-24
Event Calendar
140o Clinton Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Known for its art offerings in Newark, NJPAC has options for family outings and date nights.
Thanksgiving Comedy Fest – November 28
Canadian Brass Christmas with Canadian Brass – December 12
The Nutcracker The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine – December 13
Cirque Dreams Holidaze – December 26
Event Calendar
1 Center Street, 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
Event Calendar
Montclair State University, 1 East Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
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.
The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! – December 4-20
Event Calendar
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
This teaching theatre is dedicated to using the classics as interdisciplinary teaching tools for artist training and arts education and they provide a variety of performances.
The Gift of the Magi – December 5-27
Backstage Tour: The Gift of the Magi – December 12
Merry, Merry Mischief: Holiday Classics – December 19
Event Calendar
36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
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.
Festival of Trees – A UCPAC Fundraising Event- November 22
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker – A Sensory Friendly Performance – November 29
Frozen – A Sensory Friendly Experience – December 11
Gospel Music Festival Concert – Elevation & New Jersey Youth Symphony – December 12
Two Nutcrackers – New Jersey Youth Symphony – December 13
Season of Joy! – NJYS Philharmonia and The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra – December 13
Santa’s Circus -December 18
Emmet Otter’s Jog-Band Christmas – Popcorn and Pajamas – December 19
The Polar Express in 35MM – December 23
Event Calendar
360 Hamilton Street, Rahway, NJ 07065, and 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
Central Jersey Performing Arts Centers
Algonquin Arts Theater
Visit this nonprofit performing arts center for theatre, music, dance, and film programs.
Christmas with the King – November 22
Disney’s Frozen – December 5-20
It’s A Wonderful Life – December 8
Zepplin Reimagined – New Year’s Eve – December 31
Father Alphonse’s New Year 2027 – January 3
Event Calendar
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Axelrod Performing Arts Center and Bell Theater
The theater showcases diverse cultural programs.
Hallelujah 2026 – November 14
A Carole King Christmas 2026- November 22
The Holiday Bubble-bration – November 28
The British Invasion Years, A Very 60’s Christmas – December 19
Event Calendar
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal, NJ 07723
Bell Theater, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
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.
A Night of Holiday Doo Wop & Memories – November 13
A Drag Queen Christmas – November 17
The Nutcracker – December 12-14
Love Actually In Concert – December 19
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage – November 28
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland – December 6
The Nutcracker – December 11-13
Holiday Express – December 15
Home For The Holidays Starring That Hometown Band – December 18
Darlene Love For The Holidays – December 23
Event Calendar
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
McCarter Theatre Center
Located in the heart of Princeton’s Arts District, the McCarter Theatre offers a variety of programming for patrons, including new plays, a mix of performance art and cultural attractions, Nutcracker performances, and educational programs.
American Repertory Ballet Presents The Nutcracker – November 27-29
A Christmas Carol – December 8-27
Event Calendar
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Music Mountain Theatre
This community leader in theatrical entertainment and arts education is a welcoming environment for all theatergoers.
It’s A Wonderful Life The Musical – October 23-November 15
A Christmas Carol – November 20-December 13
Holiday Concert – December 18-20
Frosty and Rudolph – November 29-December 19
Event Calendar
1483 NJ – 179 Lambertville, NJ 08530
Spring Lake Theatre
Step back into a building from the 1920s to see local productions and musicals for the whole family.
Scrooge – December 3-20
Event Calendar
300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Strand Theater
Since 1922, The Strand has hosted a rich history of monumental performances.
The Wag’s Annual Christmas Spectacular at The Strand Theater – December 12
Atlantic City Ballet’s The Nutcracker – December 19
Event Calendar
400 Clifton Avenue, 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.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker – November 15
A Christmas Story: The Musical – November 20-22
A Magical Cirque Christmas – November 27
The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas – November 29
Forever Motown Christmas – December 6
The B-Slide Band Holiday Jam – December 12
The Nutcracker – December 17-20
Salute To Vienna New Year’s Concert – December 31
Event Calendar
15 Livingston Avenue, 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 recognition of their support for the Center.
LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah- December 13
Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank – 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.
Chris Isaak On Tour For The Holidays – November 27
Straight No Chaser Making Spirits Bright Tour – December 3
Derek Hough Dance For The Holidays – December 4
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.
Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas – December 11-20
The Calamari Sisters’ Christmas Carol – December 26-27
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.
Love Actually: Live In Concert – November 20-21
Event Calendar
2100 Pacific Avenue, 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.
Goosemas – December 11-12
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.
Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas – December 3
Atlantic City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker – December 5
Sara Evans Holiday Road Tour – December 11
Rocky Mountain Christmas Tribute To John Denver featuring Ted Vigil – December 12
Top Of The World A Carpenter’s Christmas Show – December 18
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.
Trisha Paytas Trisha’s – December 11
Cirque Dreams Holidaze – December 20
Event Calendar
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Stafford Township Arts Center
The Stafford Township Arts Center holds various events throughout the year and can accommodate up to 800 guests.
It’s A Shore Holiday – November 29
A Holiday Tribute To Motown – December 6
New Year’s Eve Spectacular with Sail On and The Jersey Four – December 31
Event Calendar
1000 McKinley Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Surflight Theatre
This Jersey Shore theater, seating 450, offers Mainstage shows and Children’s Theatre.
Holidays with the Dupress – November 22
Holiday Inn – November 28-29, December 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Taylor Mason Holiday Comedy For The Family – December 12
NYE Bubbly Bash With The Rave-Ons – December 31
Event Calendar
201 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
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