Magic comes alive every Christmas season. A prime example? Theatrical productions. From timeless favorites like A Christmas Carol and Trans-Siberian Orchestra to community shticks, there’re plenty of shows to break up the rush of the holidays and remind us of the true spirit of Christmas. So grab the family’s ear, checkout this list, and consider starting a new family tradition.
Note that tickets for most of these shows in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas have already gone on sale and sell fast. Book before they’re sold out.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Presents Annie
Nov. 17-Dec. 17, 2017
- Address: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 Division Ave. N, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-222-6650
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays*-Sundays (*Nov. 18 will not have a matinee performance)
- Costs: $18-$37
Orphan Annie is searching for a family in the midst of the 1930s. When she’s selected to stay with millionaire Daddy Warbucks for the holidays, the family she’s always dreamed of being a part of is finally within her sights. But orphanage director Miss Hannigan is determined to deny Annie her happy ending.
CARE Ballet Presents ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Nov. 24-Nov. 26, 2017
- Address: East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center, 2211 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-464-3682
- Hours: 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
- Costs: $10-$15
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend with the family by seeing this oldie but a goodie. The original ballet is set to traditional holiday music. The mice are up to no good, the stockings dance and the reindeer prance, all on the night of Santa’s sleigh ride around the world.
Nuncrackers, the Nunsense Christmas Musical
Nov. 24-26 and 30, Dec. 1-2 and 7-9, 2017
- Address: Holland Civic Theatre, 50 W. Ninth St., Holland
- Phone: 616-396-2021
- Hours: 7 p.m. Nov. 24, 30 and Dec. 1-2, 7-9; 2 p.m. Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2, 9
- Costs: $10-$15
Get a fresh take on this musical comedy from the ’80s. Nuns perform a variety show in the convent basement while broadcasting it live to the world. The show features songs including “Santa Ain’t Comin’ to Our House” and “We Three Kings of Orient Are Us,” Christmas carols, and a “Secret Santa” audience participation shtick.
New City Kids Presents Christmas Bash
Nov. 30, 2017
- Address: 20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 844-678-5483
- Hours: 7 p.m. Thursday
- Costs: Free
Hear inspirational stories, dance and celebrate the impact of New City Kids, a nonprofit based in Grand Rapids that strives to help youth reach academic excellence and prepare them for “college and beyond.”
DeVos Center for Arts and Worship Presents Hark Up 2017: He Came Down
Dec. 1-3, 2017
- Address: 2300 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-574-5600
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
- Costs: $12-$65
This high-energy theatrical performance celebrates the birth of Christ through music. Featuring a cast of nearly 300 performers, hear soloists, big band tunes, an orchestra, Christmas parodies and witness choreographed dances for an inspirational start to the Christmas season.
Grand Rapids Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10, 2017
- Address: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-454-4771
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays
- Costs: $20-plus
Experience the magic and wonder of the holiday season with ballet dancing nutcrackers, ballerinas and spirited toys. Featuring the Grand Rapids Symphony, sets by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee and expert choreography, there’re plenty of reasons families keep coming back to witness this re-imagined classic.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Dec. 3, 2017
- Address: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-742-6600
- Hours: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday
- Costs: $48.50-plus
Ring in the Christmas cheer with some good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. The acclaimed rock opera Trans-Siberian Orchestra revamped its holiday show The Ghosts of Christmas Eve for the 2017 season. But don’t fret! You can still hear all your favorite songs including “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” “Good King Joy,” and “This Christmas Day.”
West Michigan Concert Winds Presents A Disney Christmas
Dec. 8, 2017
- Address: Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave., Suite 200, Muskegon
- Phone: 231-722-9750
- Hours: 7 p.m. Friday
- Costs: $12/adult, free/ages 17 and under with ticketed adult
Step back into the songs of your childhood with Disney and Christmas classics at Frauenthal Theater. Presented by West Michigan Concert Winds – sing along to your favorite theme music and anthems.
Kevin Kammeraad’s Winter Wonderland Concert
Dec. 9, 2017
- Address: Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St., NE, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-988-5400
- Hours: 3 p.m. Saturday
- Costs: Free
Puppet enthusiasts can get up close and personal to the stockinged critters at this holiday show featuring Kevin Kammeraad and the Cooperfly Puppet Troupe. Recommended for grade-school aged children. The kids can sing along to holiday classics, learn new ones and revel in the good-natured banter between the zany characters.
Christmas with Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith Featuring Jordan Smith
Dec. 10, 2017
- Address: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-742-6600
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
- Costs: $39.50-plus
Get two Grammy Award winning artists and a Republic recording artist to sing you all their new holiday hits for the price of one. Featuring music from Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas, Michael W. Smith’s The Spirit of Christmas and Jordan Smith’s ‘Tis the Season, this holiday concert is sure to please.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Dec. 12, 2017
- Address: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-235-6285
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
- Costs: $33-plus
Celebrating 30 years since the group’s first Christmas album dropped, neoclassical, new-age band Mannheim Steamroller brings its age-old hits to DeVos Performance Hall. Get in the spirit of the season with your favorite hits performed to superb multimedia effects right in downtown Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids Symphony’s Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops
Dec. 14-17, 2017
- Address: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-454-9451
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
- Costs: $5-$18
Ring in the most wonderful time of the year and sing along to holiday classics played by the Grand Rapids Symphony and sung by Leon Williams, the Youth Chorus, and more. It won’t prove hard to discover why the Holiday Pops concert is a seasonal favorite in the city.
A Celtic Christmas
Dec. 15, 2017
- Address: Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave., Suite 200, Muskegon
- Phone: 231-722-9750
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Friday
- Costs: $10/student with ID, $25-$57
Those craving an Irish spin on the holidays can check out this concert, courtesy of the West Michigan Symphony orchestra, Children’s Choir, and Irish vocalist Cathie Ryan and her band. Get a taste of a Celtic Christmas through traditional, popular and Irish-themed music.
Grand Rapids Symphony: Old National Bank Cirque de Noel
Dec. 21-Dec. 22, 2017
- Address: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-235-6285
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday
- Costs: $32-plus
At Cirque de Noel, aerialists, acrobats, contortionists and jugglers perform choreographed numbers to your favorite holiday songs played by the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Grand Rapids Ballet Presents A Christmas Carol
Dec. 22-Dec. 23, 2017
- Address: Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-454-4771
- Hours: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday
- Costs: $46-$49
Be entertained and reminded what the Christmas season is all about, mere days before the holidays, with everyone’s most beloved scrooge. Join Ebenezer, Tiny Tim, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future on this timeless tale of redemption.
Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
