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25 Boston-area holiday concerts and shows in December 2025
This year’s lineup of holiday shows in and around Boston includes concerts, musicals, ballets, and variety shows.
There’s hardly a better way to celebrate the season than with a festive live show—and, luckily, Boston is just about brimming with them. Experience annual traditions like the Holiday Pops, the Urban Nutcracker, and North Shore Music Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.” Or, visit one of Boston’s many smaller performance venues for a show that’s just as memorable, from the Back Bay Ringers at Emmanuel Church or “The Nutcracker” by José Mateo Ballet at the Strand in Dorchester. Capitalize on all the live concerts, musicals, and dance shows performing in and around town this holiday season—read on for more details.
Concerts
Holiday Pops
The Holiday Pops return to Symphony Hall this December, once again led by Keith Lockhart, for three weeks of shows throughout December, culminating on Christmas Eve. Expect upbeat, classic Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells,” “The 12 Days of Christmas,” and “Sleigh Ride” performed by the Boston Pops, with support from the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and a special visit from Santa, too. Dec. 4-24, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, $65-$285
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
Acclaimed American banjo player and 15-time Grammy winner Béla Fleck heads out on a reunion tour this winter for a special holiday show, “Jingle All the Way,” which visits the Shubert Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 6. Joined by the Flecktones — Howard Levy, Victor Wooten, and Roy “Future Man” Wooten — Béla Fleck performs holiday classics in their signature jazz- and bluegrass-infused style, presented by the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame. Saturday, Dec.6, 8 p.m., Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston, $63-$245
Darlene Love
Darlene Love returns to the Cabot in Beverly this December for her annual Christmas show: Love for the Holidays. Her records of such holiday classics as “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” “White Christmas,” and “Winter Wonderland” have solidified her legacy as one of holiday music’s biggest voices. And at 84, she continues to perform around the country. Saturday, Dec.6, 8 p.m., The Cabot, 286 Cabot St., Beverly, $46.50-$149
Aimee Mann/Ted Leo Christmas Show
Head to Medford’s Chevalier on Dec. 6 for a one-of-a-kind Christmas Show—indie artists Aimee Mann (the longtime Bostonian who once fronted ‘Til Tuesday) and Ted Leo perform a show mixing holiday and original songs, along with sketches, guests, and a bit of comedy. Mann and Leo have collaborated since 2013 under the band name the Both, and Mann’s performed Christmas shows annually since 2006. Saturday, Dec.6, 8 p.m., Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford, $61-$100
Back Bay Ringers
On Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m., see a Boston holiday tradition: the Back Bay Ringers (BBR) performing festive songs at the Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street. Using a variety of handbells and chimes, the BBR, one of the country’s premiere handbell organizations, performs a dazzling array of classic Christmas carols and some original works, too. Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St., Boston, $26.50
NEC Chamber Singers, Symphonic Winds, Navy Band Northeast: Into the Holidays!
The New England Conservatory puts on a festive holiday show on Monday, Dec. 8, free and open to the public. The “Into the Holidays!” concert features three groups — the NEC Chamber Singers, NEC Symphonic Winds, and Navy Band Northeast — for a family-friendly evening of holiday music, Santa hats, and sing-a-longs. Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., New England Conservatory, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston, Free (ticket required)
Midwinter Revels 2025
The Revel’s annual Midwinter show is a longstanding Boston holiday tradition —the Cambridge-based Revels, who specialize in cultural musical traditions from around the world, have been around since 1971. This year’s “Midwinter Revels: A Scandinavian Story for Christmas” will run at Sanders Theatre from Dec. 12 through 28, and is based on the book “Matchless” by Gregory Maguire — the author of “Wicked.” Dec. 12-28, Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge, $20-$105
Christmas with CeCe Winans
CeCe Winans, the most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, visits the Wang for one performance on Dec. 17. The 17-time Grammy award winner is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and she brings her signature style to a festive show featuring her sisters Angie and Debbie Winans. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m., Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, tickets available on secondary markets only
Handle & Hayden Society’s Baroque Christmas
Classical music fans, head to NEC’s Jordan Hall this December for Boston’s Handel & Haydn (H+H) Society’s Baroque Christmas Concert. The show, performing on Dec. 18 and 21, features festive pieces by J.S. Bach and his cousin J.L. Bach, and includes a special appearance by the H+H Youth Chorus. Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m., New England Conservatory, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston, $15-$126
Elf in Concert @ Symphony Hall
See Will Farrell’s classic Christmas film “Elf” like never before this year. On the weekend after Christmas, Dec. 27 and 28, you can catch “Elf” in Concert at Symphony Hall — watch the movie as a live orchestra plays John Debney’s score. Dec. 27-28, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, $70-$145
New Year’s Eve Pops with Seth MacFarlane
On the last day of 2025, you’ll find a special one-night-only show at Symphony Hall. The Boston Pops back up Seth MacFarlane (of “Family Guy” fame), who performs American big band and jazz classics on New Year’s Eve. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, $94-$235
Dance
Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
A Boston Christmas tradition continues this year with Boston Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker,” running through Dec. 28 at the Opera House. See the fairytale story of Clara as she’s whisked away to the Kingdom of the Sweets by her nutcracker on Christmas Eve — and experience why the show has captivated audiences for over five decades. Nov. 28-Dec. 28, Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, $50-$315
Cirque du Soleil ‘Twas the Night Before
Based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” (“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”), Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show is a whirlwind of seasonal cheer and enchanting acrobatics. The Montreal-based entertainment troupe brings their festive show to Boston for 18 performances at the Wang Theatre. Dec. 3-14, Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, $62-$198
The Slutcracker
Somerville Theatre’s popular adults-only holiday show is back for its 18th year. “The Slutcracker” is a burlesque version of the traditional Tchaikovsky show — complete with hula hoopers, tango dancers, pole artists, drag kings and queens, and, yes, ballet dancers. The show is a festive, raucous good time — just not a family-friendly one! Dec. 5-Jan. 4, Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville, $50
José Mateo Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Cambridge’s José Mateo Ballet Theatre puts on their own production of “The Nutcracker” this holiday season. Playing at Dorchester’s Strand Theatre from Dec. 6 through 21, the family-friendly production is set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and features over 100 children who join professional guest artists on stage. Dec. 6-21, Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, $26.50-$95
The Urban Nutcracker
Another holiday tradition, Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker is back for its 25th year. Returning to the Shubert Theatre Dec. 13 through 21, the show blends Tchaikovsky’s classic score with more modern rhythms like those of Duke Ellington. Set in downtown Boston, the show features, along with ballet, dance styles like tap, hip hop, jazz, and flamenco. Dec. 13-21, Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston, $42-$125
Grand Kyiv Ballet – Snow Queen
Ukraine’s Gran Kyiv Ballet returns to Boston for one show only this December. On the 27th they perform “The Snow Queen,” a whimsical, wintery show adapted from the same Hans Christian Andersen fairytale as Disney’s “Frozen,” at the Colonial Theatre. Saturday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m., Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston, $48-$188
Theater
A Christmas Carol
A North Shore tradition since 1989, “A Christmas Carol” returns to Beverly’s North Shore Music Theatre this Dec. 4 through 21. The award-winning, original musical based on the Charles Dickens novel features classic Victorian Christmas carols like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” and stars David Coffee as Scrooge for the 31st year. Dec. 4-21, North Shore Music Theatre, 54 Dunham Rd., Beverly, $40-$95
Black Nativity by Langston Hughes
From Dec. 5 to 21 this year, the National Center of Afro-American Artists presents Black Nativity at the Paramount Theater. Originally produced by Langston Hughes in 1963, the uplifting show tells the story of the first Christmas from an early 20th century Black American point of view — full of gospel music and joy. Dec. 5-21, Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston, $55-$100
An Irish Carol
This December, the Greater Boston Stage Company puts on “An Irish Carol.” Set in a cozy Dublin pub on Christmas Eve, it’s a take on Dickens’ classic novel and is full of comedy and warmth. This production marks the show’s New England premiere. Dec. 5-21, Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main St., Stoneham, $30-$95
ChristmasTime
ChristmasTime, the annual holiday spectacular at Reagle Music Theater, returns for two weekends of matinee performances this season. The beloved variety show features precision dancing, a Victorian Boston Christmas scene, a live nativity, and over 20 holiday songs, and runs at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham. Dec. 6-14, Reagle Music Theatre, 617 Lexington St., Waltham, $9-$89
A Christmas Carol @ Cutler Majestic
There’s a new holiday tradition in town: “A Christmas Carol” by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Known for their annual free Shakespeare on the Common production, the company puts on a vivid production of the Dickens book with 19th-century carols at the Cutler Majestic Theatre. Dec. 6-23, Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Boston, $31-$115
A John Waters Christmas
The cult-followed Baltimore darling John Waters once again takes his one-man holiday show, “A John Waters Christmas,” on the road. He’ll perform one show only at the Berklee Performance Center on Dec. 13, at which the filmmaker, actor, artist, and celebrator of all things freaky will tell you all about why he loves Christmas. Dec. 13, Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass. Ave., Boston, $69-$167
Christmas with the Celts
The annual national PBS show that aired across the country and even in Ireland is now celebrating its 14th year of national touring. “Christmas with the Celts” visits the Cabot in Beverly this Dec. 14, full of Irish dance, carols, contemporary music, and craic. Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., The Cabot, 286 Cabot St., Beverly, $35-$69
The Anania Show: Holiday Debauchery
Actor, singer, and internet sensation Anania brings “The Anania Show” , a holiday-themed cabaret, to the Huntington Theatre on Dec. 20. A glitzy, high-energy show of song, stand-up, and drag, the performance includes a set list of holiday hits along with pop and musical theater favorites for a night of festive debauchery. Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston, $38.50
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