Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh. To a jolly Milwaukee show, clapping all the way. 'Tis the season for festive cheer, and all throughout the city, you’ll find the holidays taking center stage. We’ve got Charlie Brown, we’ve got the Rat King, we’ve got a 50th anniversary celebration of “A Christmas Carol” and we’ve got a pigeon’s holiday extravaganza. What more could you ask for? Here are eleven shows making spirits bright this December.


Actors perform a live radio play on stage styled like a 1940s broadcast studio, complete with vintage microphones, scripts in hand, and art deco decor. One performer stands at a microphone delivering lines while others look on, creating the feel of an old-time radio drama.


It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Milwaukee Repertory Theater | Oct. 31 – Dec. 21

Celebrate the season at Milwaukee Rep’s brand-new Stackner Cabaret with a holiday story filled with heart and cheer. In “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” you’ll see five performers transform a 1940s radio studio into a world of sound and storytelling, swapping voices and creating every effect live before your eyes. It’s a cozy, uplifting celebration of hope, kindness and the magic that makes this season so special. Get your tickets today and make it part of your holiday tradition.

 

A Christmas Carol

Milwaukee Repertory Theater | Nov. 25 – Dec. 24

This season, you’ll be visited by three ghosts past, present and future, when “A Christmas Carol” returns to Milwaukee Rep for its 50th anniversary. Milwaukee’s most treasured holiday tradition fills the stage with soaring music, heartfelt performances and stunning visuals that bring Dickens’ timeless story to life. You’ll see Scrooge open his heart as the spirit of Christmas transforms every scene into a celebration of hope and joy. Don’t be a humbug. Get your tickets today and join generations of theatergoers who know there’s no better way to keep Christmas well.

 

The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza

First Stage | No. 21 – Dec. 28
The holidays are about to take flight at First Stage. “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!” brings Mo Willems’ hilarious characters together for a musical celebration that’s full of feathers, fun and festive cheer. The Pigeon is pulling out all the stops, and with help from Elephant and Piggie and the Unlimited Squirrels, this party is set to soar. It’s a cheerful, high-flying adventure that will have kids and parents laughing all the way home. Don’t miss your chance to wing it into the theater this season.

 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Lupi & Iris | Nov. 30 – Dec. 28

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! Celebrate the season with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Lupi & Iris as The Commercialists bring the beloved Peanuts story to the stage with Vince Guaraldi’s timeless jazz and all the heart that makes this holiday favorite unforgettable. Each note stirs memories of snowy nights, shining lights and the simple reminder that the holidays are about togetherness. It’s cozy, heartfelt and full of the gentle magic that makes Charlie Brown’s Christmas a tradition worth revisiting year after year. Get your tickets today!

 

A ballerina in a red-and-white candy-themed costume performs a graceful pose on stage, surrounded by dancers dressed as sweets, including cupcakes and confectioners. The colorful set features oversized candies and whimsical decorations, illuminated by pink and purple stage lighting.

 

The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium

Milwaukee Ballet | Dec. 6 – 26

Milwaukee Ballet’s beloved holiday tradition returns with “The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium.” This reimagined production dazzles with inventive choreography and design and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. Guided by Drosselmeyer’s mysterious touch, each moment invites audiences into a dreamscape where magic and imagination come alive. It’s a spellbinding experience that captures the joy and wonder of the season. See it this December and get your tickets today.

 

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

Vanguard MKE | Dec. 11 – 22

Vanguard Milwaukee presents “All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914,” a moving retelling of the remarkable true story of the World War I Christmas Truce. Out of the chaos of war came music. Out of the darkness came light. Out of despair came hope. English and German soldiers laid down their arms, met in No Man’s Land and shared songs of peace that still echo today. Featuring stirring a cappella arrangements of “Stille Nacht,” “Auld Lang Syne” and more, this powerful production reminds us of the humanity that connects us all. Experience Milwaukee’s newest Christmas tradition and get your tickets today.

 

Hometown Holiday Pops

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | Dec. 13 – 21

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra brings the holidays to life with “Hometown Holiday Pops.” The Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble and Symphony Chorus join the orchestra for an evening of carols that’ll have you ready to deck the halls. Classic carols, rich harmonies and a touch of humor create a performance full of festive fun. Sing along, share the moment and walk out smiling with the music still playing in your head.

 

Sixpence None The Richer presents “O’Night Divine: A Sixpence Christmas”

Turner Hall Ballroom | Dec. 15

Get in the holiday spirit at “O’Night Divine: A Sixpence Christmas.” Sixpence None the Richer brings their signature sound to the season, blending warm harmonies, shimmering guitar tones and a joy that lights up the room. Classic carols get a fresh touch, and every song carries the warmth and charm that make this concert a must-see. Make your plans today.

 

Graphic reading “A Very Deadly Constructivists Holiday (with music!)” in bold white and red text on a black background, decorated with red, white, and blue snowflakes.

 

a very deadly constructivists holiday

Broadway Theatre Center | Dec. 18 – 20

The Constructivists return with their third annual “A Very Deadly Constructivists Holiday,” a darkly funny twist on seasonal theater. Written fresh each year by local artists, this year’s version promises sharp writing, bold performances and unexpected laughs. It’s clever, fearless and full of surprises for anyone who likes their holidays with a little bite. Secure your seats.

 

The Second City’s Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire

Marcus Performing Arts Center | Dec. 19 – 21

The Second City turns up the holiday heat with sharp sketches, clever songs and off-the-cuff improv that take aim at everything from seasonal traditions to family chaos. “Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire” brings the laughs with quick wit, fearless humor and a perfectly mischievous holiday spirit. Punch your ticket to this can't-miss production today!

 

Candlelight: Christmas Classics

Hilton Milwaukee | Dec. 20

Lose yourself in the glow of Candlelight: Christmas Classics at Hilton Milwaukee. Hundreds of candles light up the night as a live string quartet performs holiday favorites like “Last Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Let the season shine a little brighter and make your plans today.

 

Explore more holiday magic in the Milwaukee Theater District, and plan your winter escape today.