Unmissable shows taking center stage in the ATL this holiday season!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means that there’s so much going on in the ATL! One of our favorite holiday traditions is heading to the theatre, and there’s no shortage of show-stopping productions in Atlanta. Keep scrolling for some stellar recommendations, all worthy of standing ovations, and all guilty of spreading festive holiday cheer!
1. A Christmas Carol at The Alliance Theatre
Possibly one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time is brought to life on the Alliance Theatre’s stage, in their annual retelling of the iconic story. Watch as Scrooge, a bitter old man, finally learns the value of giving and love, especially during this time of the year. Watch your favorite actors grace the Coca-Cola stage yet again in this cozy and dazzling version of the magical show!
For more information about the show, and to grab tickets, check out the Alliance’s website!
2. Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker
If you loved The Nutcracker as a kid, you’ll be even more dazzling by the impressive performance as an adult! Join the beloved characters as they dance their way across enchanted winter wonderlands and meet interesting and classic characters. See gorgeous dances set to music everyone in the family will love.
This performance is fun for the whole family! Check out Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker this holiday season!
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts
Dive back into the nostalgia of your childhood by watching a staged version of the classic stop-motion Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! You’ll get to see all the beloved characters: Hermey the Elf™, Yukon Cornelius™, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster™, and of course, narrator Sam the Snowman™, find their place on a journey of self-discovery through the island of misfit toys and beyond!
And stick around in the museum part of the Center for Puppetry Arts to make your own Rudolph shadow puppet and see some of the original puppets from the TV special!
Don’t miss Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! It’s fun for the whole family!
4. Christmas Canteen at the Aurora Theatre
If you want to see some dazzling performances of your favorite holiday songs, Christmas Canteen will have you humming right along! The Aurora Theatre’s Christmas classic is back and better than ever this year!
They describe it on their website: “Now in its 28th year, Christmas Canteen continues to infuse undeniable holiday magic over all of Metro Atlanta. Thousands flock to the sumptuous Lawrenceville Arts Center each season to experience the joy of this unique theatrical tradition. This magnificent revue overflows with spectacular musical numbers, riotous bursts of comedy and the perfect touch of nostalgia. All ages love to indulge in this holiday treat that promises to be the highlight of the festive season!”
Get all the details for Christmas Canteen on the Aurora Theatre’s website!
5. Y’allmark Christmas at Horizon Theatre
If you’re looking for some hilarious laugh-out-loud stage action, you’ve got to check out Horizon Theatre’s Y’allmark Christmas: An Improvised Holiday “Movie.”
Horizon’s website describes it like this: “Led by Atlanta playwright and bonafide Hallmark movie screenwriter, Topher Payne (also “Crumpet” in Horizon’s holiday hit The Santaland Diaries), this show takes tried-and-true holiday tropes, audience suggestions, a rotating cast of three veteran improvisors from Dad’s Garage, and a different daily guest Horizon actor to create an all-new, live, onstage holiday ‘movie’ from scratch every night.”
You’ll definitely leave the theatre feeling merry and bright after this hilarious spin on a holiday favorite: cheesy Hallmark films!
6. Destination Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
If you’re looking for more side-splitting humor this holiday season, you’ve got to check out Destination Theatre’s A Whiskey Dickens Christmas Carol!
Destination Theatre describes it: “One actor plays Scrooge. One actor plays Every. One. Else… This year you can expect even more improv, music, and audience interaction. Think A Christmas Carol meets Whose Line Is It Anyway? This is a fast-paced, cobbled together Christmas-mess full of hilarity and heart. It’s a damn extravaganza… with a brand new twist!”
What’s the twist, you might ask. The audience AND the actors are buzzed! Keep the good times and the alcohol flowing in this hilariously fun version of A Christmas Carol.
7. Invasion Christmas at Dad’s Garage
Keep the laughs going (and going!) by saying YES AND to another Atlanta-famous holiday favorite! Invasion Christmas Carol will have you falling out of your seat laughing.
Every year, the cast “rehearses a (relatively) faithful” version of the well-known story and then… adds a twist! Every night of the show, the story is “invaded” by a random character, which is a surprise to the cast and audience alike! Then the cast must continue to tell the story of A Christmas Carol, while incorporating that new character.
This means that Scrooge might meet Jack Skellington, Ted Lasso, Ursula the Sea Witch… or anyone else.You definitely don’t want to miss out on this hoot and a half holiday show!
Theatre is a magical thing that brings audiences closer together. Get lost in the whimsical wonder of the world, brought to life right before you on the stage, at one of these amazing theatre performances this holiday season!