Elf the Broadway Musical
Tuesday and Wednesday Nov 8-9
Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF The Musical features songs by Tony Award® nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. Tickets here.
The Three Red-Neck Tenors
Thursday Nov 10
Newberry Opera House. There’s nothing quite like mixing comedy and Christmas, which these America’s Got Talent top finalists execute phenomenally. You won’t want to miss the 3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-Tac-Yule-Ar show that will have you singing along and laughing all night long. More here.
Palmetto Mastersingers: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Friday Nov 12
Trenholm Road UMC. Join the Palmetto Mastersingers as they celebrate their 42nd season! Tickets here.
Midlands Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert
Sunday Nov 20
Reformation Lutheran Church, Columbia. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year? Come join us as we celebrate (and commiserate) the winter season through song and laughter! Do the holidays get you down? Are family celebrations complicated? Or are you the hyped-up elf in training? Either way: our holiday show is just for you! Get your tickets early for a discount here!
Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet The Nutcracker
Friday Nov 25 and Sunday Nov 27
The Township Auditorium, Columbia. The largest assembly of dancers and characters with a full orchestra in this favorite of Columbia audiences. Info here.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Friday Nov 25
Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia. Fans in the Midlands will be able to experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays from the #1 Christmas music artist in history. Enjoy Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in a multi-media setting as we celebrate the spirit of the season! Tickets here.
A Christmas Story The Musical
Friday Nov 25 – Sunday Dec 18
Town Theatre, Columbia. Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker wants nothing more for Christmas than to receive a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Follow Ralphie as he ends up crossing paths with an insane department store Santa, an infamous leg lamp, and every adult in his life shouting “you’ll shoot your eye out!” More info here.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Thursday – Sunday Dec 1 – 11
Firehouse Theater, Chapin. The hilarious tale of a church Christmas pageant gone awry (or almost), performed by Chapin Community Theatre. More here.
A Christmas Carol
Saturday Dec 3
Harbison Theater. Presented by Columbia Children’s Theatre. Broadway heavy hitters Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Performed by CCT’s Mainstage company, this performance is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most well-known story. More here.
Mark Rapp’s Christmas by Candlelight
Saturday Dec 3
Wood Auditorium, Arts Center of Kershaw County, Camden. There’s nothing quite like the joy and magic of Christmas, and Mark Rapp’s Christmas By Candlelight concert is the perfect way to soak up all that it has to offer. With its festive ambiance created by twinkling candle lights and an array of holiday classics, this jazz concert will remind you of everything that makes the holidays so special. More here.
The Nutcracker
Sunday Dec 4
Newberry Opera House. Become entranced by the Sugar Plum Fairy, her dazzling court, the swirling snowflakes, and cheer for the toy soldiers and their leader, The Nutcracker Prince. This holiday classic ballet is the perfect treat for the whole family! For people of all ages. Tickets.
Carols by Candlelight
Sunday Dec 4
Aiken’s First Baptist Church. Aiken Choral Society invites you to “Carols by Candlelight” to celebrate the Holidays. Selections by Vivaldi, John Rutter, Berlioz, Irving Berlin, and others. Under the direction of Dr. Maureen Simpson and accompanied by David Brown at the piano. This promises to be a highlight of your Holiday Season! More here.
Jacob Johnson’s Almost Acoustic Christmas Concert
Sunday Dec 4
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Columbia. Free concert of Christmas music and more from Jacob Johnson. More on Facebook.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Tuesday Dec 6
Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia. Imaginative and fun for the whole family, the show features a world-renowned cast of performers accompanied by an original music score including new twists on seasonal favorites. Singers, dancers, penguins, toy soldiers, and reindeer invoke the dreams behind a child’s eye on the most magical of nights. Amidst a backdrop of new sets, scenery, and storylines, this family-friendly production is sure to put a twinkle in your eye! Tickets here.
A Christmas Carol
Thursday Dec 8
Newberry Opera House. Celebrate the true Spirit of Christmas with this brand-new, original production filled with haunting special effects and heartfelt sentiment. A Christmas Carol is delightful and thoroughly entertaining, it is the perfect family holiday event. Filled with beloved music of the season, superb staging, and tremendous artistry. Details here.
Arise, Shine!
Thursday Dec 8 and Sunday Dec 11
The Sandlapper Singers perform two holiday concerts. On Thursday they’ll be at McGregor Presbyterian Church on St. Andrews Road and on Sunday they’ll be at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Details and tickets here.
“Joye to the World” Holiday Concert
Friday Dec 9
Etherredge Center Aiken. Make plans to attend the Joye to the World Holiday Concert returning back to the Etherredge Center this year. Get the details.
Christmas with the Celts
Friday Dec 9
Newberry Opera House. The perfect combination of ancient Irish carols and dancing, Contemporary Christmas standards, and humor make for a night of amazing performance by Christmas With The Celts. This memorable show brings together young and old to celebrate the holiday season. Tickets.
Jazz at the CMA with Mark Rapp: Christmas Time Is Here
Friday Dec 9
Columbia Museum of Art. Bring your holiday spirit for a swinging celebration with the ColaJazz Little Big Band featuring trumpeter Mark Rapp and the incomparable vocalist Michael Hazin. Journeying through big band swing, intimate small ensemble work, and Sinatra-like crooning, we’ll ride high on Santa’s sleigh as the holiday spirits keep us warm and festive with Blitzen by our side. Tickets here.
The Ghost of Christmas Presents
Friday – Sunday Dec 9 – 11
The Ritz Theatre, Newberry. Performed by the Newberry Community Players. This sweet and warm-hearted holiday yarn is easy to stage and illustrates what it’s like to enjoy a visit from The Ghost of Christmas Presents. Tickets here.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Saturday Dec 10
Newberry Opera House. The story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast with every memorable character, wacky sound effects, and the heartwarming conclusion of the iconic film recreated live before your ears—and eyes! More here.
Columbia City Ballet’s Nutcracker
Saturdays and Sundays Dec 10 – 18
Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia. A holiday family tradition that brings joy and magic to the holidays. Featuring an enchanting story, amazing sets, festive costumes and the timeless classical score. This celebration of the holiday season will delight audiences of all ages! Tickets here.
We Need a Little Christmas Caberet
Saturday and Sunday Dec 10-11
Cottingham Theater at Columbia College. Workshop Theatre presents a caberet filled with Christmas classics and new holiday favorites. Tickets here.
Home for the Holidays
Sunday Dec 11
Etherredge Center in Aiken. The Aiken Symphony Orchestra delights in making this concert an annual tradition for the Aiken community. The afternoon will be filled with all your favorite holiday melodies as well as the added bonus of including two of Aiken’s beloved groups, the Aiken Choral Society and the Aiken Civic Ballet. Get the details here.
A Very Merry Drag Brunch
Sunday Dec 11
Capital City Club, Columbia. Your favorite queens return on Sunday, December 11 for a magical event full of holiday shenanigans! Tickets are $35 here.
Holiday Pops
Sunday Dec 11
Harbison Theater, Columbia. Pops is coming to town! Morihiko Nakahara and the SC Philharmonic musicians return to the HT@MTC stage this holiday season. Baby, it’s cold outside; bring your family and friends to warm their hearts with these classic holiday carols. Tickets.
Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show
Tuesday Dec 13
The Township Auditorium, Columbia. Splash along with Baby Shark and Pinkfong as they journey into the sea for the Holidays to sing and dance through some of your favorite songs in Baby Shark Live!:The Christmas Show! Tickets here.
Aiken Civic Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Friday – Sunday Dec 16 – 18
Etherredge Center in Aiken. The Aiken Civic Ballet, South Carolina’s longest, continuously operating dance company, will perform The Nutcracker. Get the details here.
The Christmas Angel
Friday – Sunday Dec 16 – 18
Harbison Theater, Columbia. In its 22nd year of production, The Christmas Angel, an original Ballet, will take you and your family on a magical journey. With intriguing characters, a compelling storyline, beautiful scenery, stunning costumes, and splendid dancing, it will captivate the hearts of the entire family. Tickets here.
Christmas is in Trouble: A Musical Extravaganza
Saturday Dec 17
Wood Auditorium, Arts Center of Kershaw County, Camden. Santa isn’t feeling the Christmas spirit this year, so he decided to take a vacation. Only problem is… it is 4 days to Christmas, and Christmastown just got a newly graduated class of elves who really want to meet Santa. Can Mrs. Claus find Santa before Christmas? Who knows… one second it all seems normal, and then BAM! EMO ELVES come out in full force! More here.
Swingin’ Holidays
Saturday Dec 17
W. W. Hootie Johnson Performance Hall (USC). The SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble will make your holidays bright with a collection of classic jazz for the holidays presented with some big band energy and swingin’ sleigh bells. Tickets and info here.
Dick Goodwin Big Band Christmas
Sunday Dec 18
Newberry Opera House. For over 30 years, Dick and his distinguished musicians have entertained folks from the Midlands of South Carolina to worldwide venues. The long-time maestro brings his band and singers to celebrate the magic and happiness of the Christmas season. Tickets.
Koger Center Jazz • 3rd Annual Eve of the Eve Celebration
Friday Dec 23
Koger Center for the Arts lobby, Columbia. The Mark Rapp Group will once again prepare us for the holiday season with a holiday concert on the Eve of Christmas Eve. Join us for a festive evening of joy and good cheer! More here.