Seattle’s Big Holiday Arts Guide
A full lineup of seasonal performances across local theaters and venues.
By Chris S. Nishiwaki December 8, 2025
In the words of William Shakespeare, “All’s well that ends well.”
Local theater and arts organizations are hoping for exactly that. Holiday productions often account for as much as half of their annual ticket sales. A 2018 Dance/USA survey found that The Nutcracker alone represented 48% of yearly revenue for many companies producing the Tchaikovsky classic.
“From past experience, having run a ballet company, knowing how the sector works, many organizations are reliant to offset losses in other areas with holiday shows,” says Michael Greer, CEO of ArtsFund and former executive director of the Oregon Ballet Theatre. “They want to make sure the public sees what they want to see.”
Washington state leads the country in percentage of GDP (Gross State Product) contributed by the arts and culture sector—about 10%. Greer notes that every $1 spent in the arts generates $4 for the local economy. He urges patrons to give the gift of the arts during this holiday season. “It is a gift to the person and it is a gift to the economy. Give to the arts.”
He says that young people engaged in arts and culture show better educational and health outcomes, and that 50% of hospitals use art therapy. “There are specific ways that buying into arts culture goes far beyond those two or three hours at the theater,” he says. Greer adds that audiences are returning to live performances, too, though rising costs continue to outpace revenue. “In some cases (costs) are up far greater than revenues are up,” Greer says.
Opportunities and variety abound for locals looking to enjoy a show this holiday season.
Seattle Symphony
The Seattle Symphony under the direction of new Music Director Xian Zhang is bringing back many of its holiday traditions, including Handel’s Messiah (December 18-21) and Holiday Pops featuring conductor Stuart Chafetz (December 12-14). Tony Award-winner Renee Goldsberry will be debuting her new Christmas album one night only, December 10.
Seattle Children’s Theatre
It will be a run of many firsts at Seattle Children’s Theatre.
SCT is one of six theaters across the country to debut The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! this season. It will also be the first holiday show for artistic director Johamy Morales since her promotion last summer, when she became the first woman of color to lead the theater in its 50-year history. Multi-disciplinary artist Noah Duffy makes his SCT debut in the title character of the Pigeon. Local favorite Nate Tenenbaum also makes his SCT debut as Elephant Gerald, the pigeon’s sidekick.
Intiman Theatre
Award-winning director, writer and professor Valerie Curtis-Newton returns to direct Black Nativity at Intiman Theatre. Music direction is courtesy of Sam L. Towsend, Jr., who has performed in Black Nativity since its original production with Patrinnel Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir going back to 1998. This year’s performances are at the Broadway Performance Arts Center, December 10-28.
Seattle Quartet
Seattle Quartet will be pulling double duty this holiday season. The string chamber group will be performing Christmas Carols on Strings as part of the Fever Candlelight Concerts series December 18-28 at The Arctic Club Hotel. They will also be performing during The Fairmont Hotel’s Nutcracker Tea Service on December 18.
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and Earshot Jazz
The local performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music, a collaboration between the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and Earshot Jazz, is the longest running production of Ellington’s opus. Saturday, December 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Seattle Town Hall.
Seattle Rep
The Seattle Rep premiered Come from Away almost exactly 10 years ago and has since taken the show to Broadway. This year, it makes a triumphant return with an extended run through January 4. Seattle native Andi Alhadeff leads a dynamic ensemble cast.
Union Arts Center: A Christmas Carol
This year’s production of A Christmas Carol marks the 50th year that Union Arts Center (created by the merger of ACT Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Co.) has mounted the holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic. The cast is filled with local favorites with national acclaim, including Reginald A. Jackson in the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge for the first time in his career. Other featured theater veterans include R. Hamilton Wright, Anne Allgood and Kathy Hsieh.
Taproot Theatre
Taproot Theatre in Greenwood will be featuring two holiday shows; A Sherlock Carol and the holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas adapted for stage by Eric Schaeffer. A Sherlock Carol blends Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s whodunit mystery with Charles Dickens’ virtues. Tickets are $35-$68. The family-friendly A Charlie Brown Christmas runs 40 minutes with no intermission with family-friendly tickets from $7.50-$32.
5th Avenue Theatre
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” Buddy the Elf, played by Will Ferrell in the original 2003 film, said. The 5th Avenue Theatre production of Elf spreads plenty of cheer for local audiences, December 5-28. The multi-talented and Can Can Culinary Cabaret regular Tori Gresham stars as Jovie, opposite Eric Ankrim as Buddy the Elf.
The Nutcracker
The Grand Kyiv Ballet will be performing at the Kirkland Performance Center, the Federal Way Performance Arts Theater, the Byrnes Performing Arts Center in Arlington and the IKEA Performing Arts Center in Renton, December 16-28.
The International Ballet Theatre brings The Nutcracker to the Maydenbauer Center in downtown Bellevue, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 23. The company’s performance is choreographed by the Russian-trained Vera Altunina, founder of the International Ballet Theatre.
Tacoma City Ballet, now in their 70th season, will be performing The Nutcracker at the Pantages Theater on December 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21.
The burlesque team of Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann are bringing back Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker for its 20th season at Triple Door. Guests can enjoy the 21-and-over show along with the full menu from the adjacent Wild Ginger in the dinner theater setting.
The Seattle Center and Surrounding Holiday Events
Seattle Center Winterfest features a variety of performers, artists and activities through December 31.
The Seattle Christmas Market, inspired by the German Christmas markets, is open through December 24.
The Loupe Lounge at the Space Needle is featuring a special multi-course holiday brunch with creations from food and beverage director Gavin Stephenson.
Seattle Men’s Chorus
The Seattle Men’s Chorus led by Artistic Director Paul Caldwell covers the Puget Sound with holiday merriment with Holly Jolly Jingle performances at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle, at Tacoma’s Pantages Theater and the Everett Civic Auditorium.
Woodland Park Zoo
Wild Lanterns returns to the Woodland Park Zoo through January 18. The brightly lit and animatronic show spreads around the zoo for a show for guests of all ages.
Seattle Theatre Group
Seattle Theatre Group, which manages The Paramount, The Moore, The Neptune, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Kerry Hall, is spreading holiday cheer through its various locations.
Global sensation Mariachi Sol de Mexico led by Jose Hernandez plays at The Moore on December 9.
Jingle All the Gay performs at The Neptune December 12-14. The Soweto Gospel Choir stars at The Moore on December 18.
Six-time Tony Award winning The Lion King returns to The Paramount for the first time since the 2018-19 holiday season. David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa, Mukelisiwe Goba as Rafiki, Gilbert Domally as Simba and Thembelihle Cele as Nala star. This season’s show runs through January 4.
The Bellevue Collection
Bellevue Way between NE 4th and NE 8th closes daily at 7 p.m. through December 24 for Snowflake Lane, a parade replete with artificial snow, holiday floats, music, dancers and toy drummers.
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