The holiday season is right around the corner, and that means presents, trees, lights, menorahs and joy will abound all around the region. Below, find 14 holiday performances to get you in the holiday spirit.
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Christmas Spectacular
Nov. 27-Dec. 29, times vary
Kick-off the holiday season with Riverside’s Christmas Spectacular performance. Enjoy watching the cast of singers and dancers perform your favorite Christmas songs and music as the stress of the holiday season melts away. // Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg; $37-$77
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Nov. 29-Dec. 15, times vary
The Herdmans are the worst-behaved children in town and the town becomes alarmed when they demand to be in the Christmas pageant. See how director Grace and the town’s Reverend influence the community to see the children and play through a new lens. // Fauquier Community Theatre: 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton; $18-$22
Elf, The Musical
Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 6-8 & 13-15, times vary
The only way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear at Elf, The Musical! Follow Buddy the Elf on his journey to New York City as he searches to find his real father and spreads the true meaning of Christmas along the way. // Center for the Arts of Greater Manassas/PWC: 9419 Battle St., Manassas; $20-$24
Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas
Dec. 1, 4 p.m.
Enjoy the magical voices of the Chanticleers, the 12-person male classical vocal ensemble. The Grammy Award winners’ will include festive Renaissance motets and gospel melodies mixed in with your favorite Christmas carols. Stop by before the show for a pre-performance discussion in Merchant Hall. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $33-$55
Creative & Performing Arts Center: Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity
Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Langston Hughes’ modern take on the nativity. Learn about Christmas by celebrating African-American culture through poetry, music and dance. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $25-$45
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 7-26, times vary
Get out of your bah, humbug feeling and enjoy Charles Dickens’ classic story A Christmas Carol, performed by the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ Children’s Theatre. In this rendition, Andrew and his family try to bring out the Christmas spirit in their brother by telling the most notable Christmas stories after a power outage during the holidays. // Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg; $16
For more A Christmas Carol performances in Northern Virginia, click here.
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas
Dec. 8, 4 p.m.
Step away from the traditional Christmas carols and enjoy a Celtic performance by Natalie MacMaster, Donnel Leahy and their seven children from their album, A Celtic Family Christmas. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $33-$55
Handel’s Messiah
Dec. 8, 4 p.m.
Enjoy Fredericksburg Community Chorus’ annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, known for its rousing “Hallelujah Chorus.” // University of Mary Washington, Dodd Auditorium: 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg; free
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops
Dec. 13, 8 p.m.
Join maestro Anthony Maiello and Northern Virginia’s own pops orchestra to celebrate the holiday season at this annual holiday concert. Enjoy classics like Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” “A Christmas Festival” and a carol singalong. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $33-$55
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dec. 13-22, times vary
Join Charlie Brown and Linus as they try to find the real meaning of Christmas in the Prince William Little Theatre’s performance of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz’s iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $24
Loudoun Symphony Presents Holiday Cheer
Dec. 14, 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.
’Tis the season to celebrate the holidays with the Loudoun Symphony at its annual holiday concert. This year’s performance will include music from composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Selections to Bob Krogstad’s “The Bells of Christmas.” Doors open 30 minutes before the performance begins. // St. David’s Episcopal Church: 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn; $25-$30
Manassas Chorale: Resounding Joy
Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.
The 100-voiced Manassas Chorale will be making its way to the Hylton Performing Arts Center for a winter concert. This year’s performance will include festive carols and songs, with new arrangements accompanied by the Chorale’s live orchestra. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $18-$20
Sing We Noel
Dec. 14, 8 p.m.
Master Singers of Virginia is jingling all the way to Leesburg for a joyful Christmas concert. Some of the songs to be performed during this year’s performance include Michael Englehardt’s “Gaudete,” Norwegian’s “Eit Barn er fodt I Betlehem” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” // St. James’ Episcopal Church: 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg; $15-$60
The Nutcracker
Dec. 18-23, times vary
The Manassas Ballet Theatre, the largest professional company in Northern Virginia, along with a cast and orchestra, perform this holiday classic. The performance is the perfect opportunity for the entire family to enjoy a holiday tale together. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $40-$80
See a full list of The Nutcracker performances in Northern Virginia for the 2019 holiday season, here.
