7 Holiday Shows Your Whole Family Will Love

With so many festive holiday shows and concerts taking place throughout St. Louis this holiday season, it’s easy to find one – or several – that your family (yes, even your kids) will enjoy. From symphonies and stage shows at landmark venues like Powell Hall and the Fabulous Fox Theatre to concerts, musicals and ballets performed by local youth, here are our top picks for holiday performances worth seeing:   

1. Peter and the Wolf at Powell Hall

Relive one of your favorite childhood fairy tales over Thanksgiving weekend with the St. Louis Symphony’s performance of Peter and the Wolf at Powell Hall. Actors and projected visuals – along with Prokofiev’s famous score – will bring the classic story of Peter and his animal friends and foes to life in a holiday concert that will entertain the whole family.  

November 27 and 28 at 3:00 p.m.; November 29 at 3:00 p.m. More information: stlsymphony.org   

2. Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Fabulous Fox

Light up your holiday season with this stage spectacular that’s been described as a cirque show, Broadway musical and family show all in one. Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Fabulous Fox Theatre features gravity-defying acts like gingerbread men flipping in mid-air and toy soldiers balancing on thin wires, all showcased on a magical stage filled with gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and trees that tower 30 feet in the air.

December 4-6 (with a special Kids’ Night on Friday, Dec. 4). Showtimes and tickets: fabulousfox.com  

3. Into the Woods at Stages St. Louis

This kid-friendly performance of the classic Stephen Sondheim musical features the Triple Threats TEENS of STAGES – and proceeds from the show will help fund their trip to New York this spring. Tickets for Into the Woods are $15 for general admission, and you’ll want to be sure to arrive an hour early for milk and cookies and a photo-op with Santa. There will also be special holiday games and activities sponsored by Dave & Buster’s.

December 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m.; December 5 and 6 at 3:30 p.m. More information: stagesstlouis.org

4. Saturday with Santa: Christmas Carols in The Garden  

Head to the Missouri Botanical Gardens on Saturday, Dec. 12 to listen to festive holiday carols, rub noses with reindeer and whisper your Christmas wishes to Santa. At Christmas Carols in the Garden, you’ll also get a free ride to see the holiday decorations at the Tower Grove House and Kemper Center.

December 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. Included with Garden admission. More information: www.mobot.org

5. Macy’s Holiday Celebration at Powell Hall

The Macy’s Holiday Celebration with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is one of St. Louis’ favorite holiday traditions. Listen – and even sing along – with timeless classics like “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and selections from The Polar Express. Jolly Old Saint Nick will make an appearance too!

Over the holiday break, kids and families can also enjoy Ratatouille at Powell Hall. Experience the award-winning film on the big screen, while the score is performed live by the St. Louis Symphony.

The Macy’s Holiday Celebration takes place December 18, 19 and 20; Ratatouille on January 2 and 3. Information and tickets for both shows are available online.

6. St. Louis Children’s Choir Holiday Concert

Six ensembles of talented young singers from the St. Louis Children’s Choirs will be performing Christmas carols and holiday favorites old and new at their Holiday Concert at Powell Hall. Professional instrumentalists will accompany the singers and there will be a candlelit processional as part of this annual St. Louis tradition. (Note that children under the age of 5 will not be admitted.)

December 5 from 2-4:30 p.m. More information: slccsing.org

7. The Nutcracker Ballet

No holiday season is complete without a trip to see The Nutcracker, and here in St. Louis, we’re lucky to have several adaptations to choose from. Visions of sugar plums are sure to swirl in your head when you take in one of these local performances:

·        The Nutcracker presented by the St. Louis Ballet – Professional dancers bring the magical story to life at the Touhill Performing Arts Center Dec. 18-23.

·        Missouri Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker – The Sugar Plum Parade is one of the highlights of this performance at Washington University’s Edison Theatre Dec. 18-20.

·        Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker – There’s one night only (Monday, Nov. 30) to see world-class Russian ballerinas perform The Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox.

·        The Nutcracker with the Alexandra Ballet – Local dancers from the Alexandra Ballet perform a memorable, family-friendly version of The Nutcracker at Logan College on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Happy Holidays!

_{Photo: St. Louis Children's Choirs Facebook page.}