Looking to celebrate the holiday season by taking in a show with your family? From theater to music to dance, the DC area is full of spectacular seasonal performances for all ages to enjoy. DCTA staff have curated this roundup of family-friendly holiday shows within a 30-mile radius of DC. (Let us know if we’ve missed any!)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show Arena Stage (December 5-23). Step back into the holiday spirit with the joyful return of Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show, where the rich tradition of African American stepping blends with the magic of the season.
Chanukah in the Dark Theater J (December 6-21). When the lights go out during Chanukah, Max and family begin sharing songs, stories, and traditions – only to discover the lights they needed and the miracles they searched for were in their midst all along.
Winter Family Festival DC Public Library Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (December 7). This free family festival will feature performances by the Washington School of Ballet Southeast Ensemble and Blue Sky Puppet Theatre, along with creative stations, interactive storytelling, and more.
A Candlelight Christmas The Washington Chorus performing at The Kennedy Center (December 14-22). Featuring spirited brass, a festive chorus, and extra special guests, this family-friendly concert is among the DC region’s most beloved holiday traditions.
The Spirit of Kwanzaa Dance Institute of Washington (December 19-21). The Spirit of Kwanzaa is the Dance Institute of Washington’s most popular and longest-running cultural arts and dance production (since 1995). The Dance Institute of Washington has adapted the principles of Kwanzaa to convey the struggles and creativity of the Black diaspora. The production highlights the holiday’s principles with dance, song, and spoken word.
A Family Christmas The Choral Arts Society of Washington performing at The Kennedy Center (December 20-24). The Choral Arts Chorus fills the Concert Hall with festive cheer, holiday classics, sing-alongs, and a special visit from Santa to make spirits bright!
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas The National Theatre (December 30-January 4). Record-setting Broadway holiday sensation which features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated special.
La Fiesta de los Reyes Magos – Three Kings Day GALA Hispanic Theatre (January 4, 2026). Join in the magic of GALA’s annual Three Kings Day celebration featuring a procession through the neighborhood led by the magi, live animals, music and dance performances, and a gift for every child. A free community event.
DÍA DE LOS REYES MAGOS – The Three Kings Day Teatro de la Luna (January 6, 2026). Teatro de la Luna invites the whole family to enjoy its Three Kings Day celebration, featuring arts and crafts, theatrical performance, folkloric dance, refreshments, and the Three Kings distributing toys and books to children. A free community event, RSVP encouraged.
MARYLAND
Elf The Musical Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Columbia, MD (November 7-January 4). Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts, is transported back to the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
The Snowman and the Snowdog Imagination Stage, Bethesda, MD (November 22-January 4). A new holiday musical featuring the fantastic journey of a young boy and the snowman and snow dog he builds, told through puppetry and theater magic.
Santa Claus is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue Baltimore Center Stage, Baltimore, MD (November 26-January 4). A family-friendly musical celebration featuring classic holiday favorites, reimagined with the unmistakable sound of Motown legends.
Frosty the Snow Man Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo Park, MD (November 26-January 11). In this merry wintertime romp, chock-full of chuckles and comic antics, Frosty gallops into the hearts of kids and adults alike – even the heart of one skeptical cop – through his uproarious antics.
The 37th Annual Nutcracker The Puppet Co, Glen Echo Park, MD (November 28-December 31). This time-honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin.
Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s The Fun Company, Frederick, MD (November 29-December 21). Follow the feisty and irrepressible Junie B. Jones as she plays Secret Santa to her least favorite classmate, Tattletale May. Will Junie B. give Tattletale May exactly what she thinks she deserves, or will the holiday spirit force a change of heart?
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet The Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD (December 6). With an all-star cast and live orchestra, this touring production of The Nutcracker blends world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins The Puppet Co, Glen Echo Park, MD (December 11-22). Hershel just wants to celebrate Hanukkah with the community, but the Queen and King of the Goblins have forbidden the lighting of the candles. Can Hershel save the day and lift the curse for this shtetl (village)?
Seasons of Light Prince George’s Publick Playhouse, Hyattsville, MD (December 17). This signature Discovery Theater show from the Smithsonian celebrates the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Santa Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice in an interactive extravaganza bridging communities and cultures.
Strathmore Youth Chorus Presents A World of Celebration The Music Center at Strathmore, Bethesda, MD (December 19). Hear festive holiday music sung by young voices during the most wonderful time of the year! Join Strathmore Youth Chorus as they continue to explore new and familiar melodies written for the many end-of-year celebrations observed here and around the world.
Winter Revels: Andalusian Treasures Washington Revels performing at Montgomery College, Silver Spring, MD (December 12-20). The 43rd annual Christmas Revels is set in ancient Spain and celebrates Jewish, Arabic and Spanish music and traditions.
VIRGINIA
Jingle Bell Jam: The Remix Encore Stage & Studio, Arlington, VA (December 5-14). Back for a second year, this fun, family centered revue celebrates all winter holidays and is the perfect way to deck the halls and bring in the holiday spirit. Special add-on events include Meet & Greet with Santa (December 6) and Frosty’s Winter Wonderland Workshop (December 12).
Madeline’s Christmas Creative Cauldron, Falls Church, VA (December 5-21). In this musical adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ classic, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are all sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home for Christmas to be with their families. So it’s Madeline to the rescue! And with the help of a magical rug merchant she takes her friends on a Christmas journey they will never forget.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever StageCoach Theatre Company, Ashburn, VA (December 5-23). In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas!
Land of Forgotten Toys: A Christmas Musical Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory, Manassas, VA (December 12-14). Just days before Christmas, Grace and her friend Nikki are whisked away to the magical Land of Forgotten Toys, where broken and discarded playthings await a second chance. When Santa is kidnapped by his wicked sister, Charlotta, it’s up to Grace, Nikki, and the quirky toys to band together, face thrilling challenges, and save Christmas.
Benjamin’s Winter Circus Adventure, Dulles Town Center, Sterling, VA (December 12-January 3). A true winter wonderland of daring feats, unforgettable fun, thrilling spectacle, and holiday wonder.
The Christmas Wish Encore Theatrical Arts Project, Arlington, VA (December 13-21). Daniel has no time for Christmas magic: he has to save his hotel from closing! But when Felix, a wish-granting visitor from the North Pole, gets mistaken for the hotel’s highly anticipated Christmas Consultant, Daniel’s perfectly planned life is thrown for an exciting holiday loop.
The Nutcracker Manassas Ballet Theatre performing at George Mason University’s Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, VA (December 17-23). Northern Virginia’s favorite Nutcracker returns with nine performances featuring the dazzling dancers of MBT dancing to live music from the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra.
