Seattle Family Calendar
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Let it “show” with live theater
The back-to-school frenzy has settled into a new routine, and families have a little more breathing room in November and December, just in time to check out the amazing shows local arts organizations have put together for this season. As we approach the end of 2024, we’ve picked 24 great shows for families to enjoy.
- Fantastic Seattle-area shows for families
- Classic holiday shows to see year after year
- Winter shows everyone will love
Up first: Fantastic shows for families
More holiday family fun:
Editor’s note: This article was first published several years ago and has been most recently updated for 2024 with all new holiday shows and performances for families showing around Seattle and Puget Sound, all handpicked by the writer, Gemma Alexander.
Fantastic shows for families
“The Snow Queen”
Seattle Children’s Theatre presents its own unique adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s dramatic tale “The Snow Queen” in the newly renovated Charlotte Martin Theatre. “The Snow Queen” explores deep themes of human connection, belonging and loyalty as young Gerda undertakes a dangerous journey to rescue her dearest friend from the palace of the Snow Queen. Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Date: Nov. 27–Jan. 5
Cost: $20–$50
Location: Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle
“Honk! The Musical”
In this all-ages musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out that different is not the same as bad. Today the story of the ugly duckling seems timelier than ever. Kids need to experience as many joyful celebrations of the beauty of diversity and the power of inclusivity as possible before the algorithm takes control of what they see.
Date: Nov. 29–Dec. 22
Cost: $5–$55
Location: Olympia Family Theater, Olympia
“Anastasia”
Based on the animated movie, the Broadway musical has 20 new songs but is more grounded in history. (Instead of a demonic villain with a talking bat sidekick, the antagonist is a Bolshevik general.) But the questions it asks — What if a poor orphan was really a princess? And what if she didn’t really want to be one after all? — will still intrigue kids of all ages.
Date: Dec. 6–22
Cost: $10–$35
Location: Bainbridge Performing Arts, Bainbridge Island
“Legally Blonde”
It’s rated PG-13 for, among other things, taking place during a murder trial, but if your kids have watched the movie, the musical adaptation won’t be too shocking. On film or on stage, “Legally Blonde” delivers a healthy dose of girl power as it humorously skewers all kinds of stereotypes about women. Additional show dates in Everett in January.
Date: Nov. 12–Dec. 22
Cost: $44–$123
Location: Village Theatre, Issaquah
“Mary Poppins”
Drawing from the original books and using iconic songs from the Disney movie, The Fifth Avenue Theatre presents an all-new musical production introducing the iconic nanny Mary Poppins to a new generation. Children younger than 4 will not be admitted.
Date: Nov. 22–Dec. 26
Cost: $40–$160
Location: The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle
“Back to the Future”
The time-traveling movie that once helped Gen X understand their boomer parents is now helping Gen Z bridge the pop culture gap to understand their parents and their grandparents. The film’s original creators have adapted the story as a Broadway musical with a mixture of classic hit songs used in the film and new music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. Children younger than 4 will not be admitted.
Date: Dec. 10–22
Cost: $40–$145
Location: Paramount Theatre, Seattle
“Finding Nemo Jr.”
Performers between the ages of 5 and 19 in Bellevue’s Youth Theatre program present this musical version of the classic Pixar film, which follows the clownfish Marlin as he journeys across the ocean to find his lost son, Nemo.
Date: Nov. 15–24
Cost: $13
Location: Bellevue Youth Theatre, Bellevue
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” in Concert
“Airbender” fans can enjoy more than two hours of music from the soundtrack of the original “Avatar” series performed by a live orchestra that includes taiko and erhu. At the same time, watch the series’ most iconic scenes playing on screen.
Date: Nov. 9–10
Cost: $36 and up
Location: Moore Theatre, Seattle
“Happy Christmas, Jeeves”
Step into the whimsical world of Bertie Wooster and his reliable valet, Jeeves. In this brand-new holiday play, all Bertie wants for Christmas is a night at home with no relatives, but of course that’s easier said than done! You’ll laugh out loud at this entertaining show, and leave filled with holiday spirit. This play is recommended for those 12 and older, and children younger than 5 will not be admitted.
Date: Nov. 27–Dec. 31
Cost: $35–$65 (Nov. 27 is the pay-what-you-can performance)
Location: Taproot Theatre, Seattle
Up next: Classic holiday shows for everyone
Classic holiday shows for everyone
“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker”
For generations of local families, it’s just not the holiday season without a trip to Seattle Center to watch Pacific Northwest Ballet perform “The Nutcracker.” At this point, the traditional “first ballet” has literally introduced tens of thousands of children to the art form. This may be the year your child will join their ranks.
Date: Nov. 29–Dec. 28
Cost: $30 –$165
Location: McCaw Hall, Seattle
“Miracle on 34th Street, The Play”
This season, Edmonds Driftwood Players, one of the oldest theater companies in the region, presents the classic holiday movie adapted for the stage. Whether you’re a cynic or a dreamer, the story of a department-store Santa whose noncommercial approach to Christmas restores a little girl’s faith in the merry old elf, and her mother’s faith in others, will warm your heart.
Date: Nov. 22–Dec. 15
Cost: $25–$28
Location: Wade James Theatre, Edmonds
“A Christmas Carol”
Harlequin’s own adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday ghost story is a South Sound tradition. In addition to the noteworthy special effects, there’s plenty of holiday music and cheer (aided, perhaps, by the hot buttered rum from concessions) to be found.
Date: Nov. 29–Dec. 24
Cost: $33–$55
Location: State Theater, Olympia
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Lakewood Playhouse’s ensemble cast presents the holiday classic as a live radio broadcast. Although it’s a beloved traditional Christmas story of hope and redemption, when deciding if it’s appropriate for your family, remember that the plot involves George Bailey considering suicide on Christmas Eve.
Date: Dec. 13–29
Cost: $25–$30
Location: Lakewood Playhouse, Lakewood
“White Christmas”
Enjoy MainStage Theatre Company’s theatrical adaptation of the old black-and-white classic musical live and in full color. In Irving Berlin’s double romance, two pairs of performers join together to save a failing Vermont inn with classic song-and-dance numbers “Blue Skies,” “Sisters” and, of course, “White Christmas.” Children younger than 4 will not be admitted.
Date: Dec. 6–22
Cost: $33
Location: Liberty Theatre, Puyallup
“Black Nativity”
So much of Seattle’s past has been lost in recent years, but last year Seattle families gave a collective shout of joy at the return of Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity.” After a decade-long hiatus,“Black Nativity” was brought back by Intiman Theatre in a reimagined production led by Valerie Curtis-Newton, Sam Townsend Jr. and Vania C. Bynum. This soulful retelling of the Christmas story combines actors, dancers, a rousing gospel choir and a sing-along.
Date: Dec. 4–29
Cost: $30–$110
Location: Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle
“Happy Holidays!”
The Cascade Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert has a wide-ranging program that includes classic Christmas carols together with orchestral pieces by composers as different as Vivaldi (“The Four Seasons”) and John Williams (“Star Wars”). The Sunday performance will feature guest musicians from local high schools.
Date: Dec. 15–16
Cost: $10–$30
Location: Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds
“A Christmas Carol”
Like Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” ACT Contemporary Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” is a long held holiday tradition for many local families. For 49 years, ACT has presented Charles Dickens’ beloved story of hope and redemption with a dose of spookiness. The performance during that climactic part may be too intense for some sensitive youngsters, but the 90-minute runtime is a piece of cake for even the shortest attention spans.
Date: Nov. 29–Dec. 27
Cost: $10–$105
Location: ACT Allen Theatre, Seattle
“Ho Ho Ho!”
Seattle Men’s Chorus’ annual holiday concert is a Northwest tradition that has become even more family-friendly in recent years with the addition of a special, abbreviated children’s show on select dates. Whether you opt for the one-hour show with extra dancing, extended sing-along and general-admission seating or the full monty (so to speak), you can expect seasonal classics mixed with songs like “Pink Christmas,” and a new holiday version of “Holding Out for a Hero,” as well as Christmas comedy, dancing Santas and a sing-along for the whole family. (Note that children younger than 5 are not permitted at Benaroya except for the kids’ show on Dec. 21.)
Date: Dec. 1–21
Cost: $19–$104
Location: Benaroya Hall, Seattle
Pantages Theater, Tacoma
Everett Civic Auditorium, Everett
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
If you’ve had enough of commercialism and need a reminder of what Christmas is all about, make an all-ages family outing to watch Taproot Theatre Company bring the beloved “A Charlie Brown Christmas” holiday-special cartoon to life.
Details: Dec. 5–30
Cost: $7–$30
Location: Taproot Theatre, Seattle
Up next: Holiday-ish winter shows
Holiday-ish winter shows
“Snow White and the Three Dwarves”
The Fremont Players are back with another original show in the British pantomime tradition. Usually performed during the holidays, pantos are rarely holiday stories. Instead they are wacky, noisy productions layering song, dance, slapstick and topical humor over the plot of a fractured fairy tale.
Date: Dec. 7–Jan. 5
Cost: $15–$25
Location: Sunset Hill Community Hall, Seattle
“Beauty and the Beast”
Centerstage Theatre is bringing back family-favorite holiday panto “Beauty and the Beast.” If you’ve never seen a panto before, be warned — this is not your Disney fairy tale. Instead of sweeping romance, expect side-splitting comedy with over-the-top caricatures and pop culture references.
Date: Nov. 30–Dec. 22
Cost: $17–$40
Location: Knutzen Family Theatre, Federal Way
Grand Kyiv Ballet
The dancers of the Grand Kyiv Ballet were on tour when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, they have made their temporary home in Bellevue and maintained an almost constant touring schedule. This fall, they are performing two classical ballets: “The Nutcracker” and “The Snow Queen.” It’s not often that local audiences have an opportunity to see dancers accustomed to the stages of the Opera National de Paris and the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. And taking that opportunity helps to preserve the artistic heritage of a free and independent Ukraine.
“The Nutcracker”
Date: Dec. 10–12
Cost: $53–$63
Location: Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland.
“The Snow Queen”
Date: Dec. 28–29
Cost: $37–$92
Location: Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds.
Date: Dec. 24
Cost: $40 and up
Location: Paramount Theatre, Seattle.
“A Very Die Hard Christmas”
It’s an age-old question as divisive as pineapple on pizza: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? Whichever side you pick, there’s no question that “A Very Die Hard Christmas” is a uniquely Seattle holiday tradition. If your family likes action-packed Christmas entertainment loaded with ’80s jokes, soft rock jams and snarky German terrorists, this is the holiday show for you.
Date: Nov. 22–Dec. 22
Cost: $10–$100
Location: Seattle Public Theater, Seattle
“Cirque Dreams – Holidaze”
This whimsical show combines a Broadway-style production with contemporary circus arts made relevant for the holidays with contemporary twists on seasonal favorites songs, like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells.”
Date: Dec. 6–7
Cost: $39–$115
Location: Paramount Theatre, Seattle
