Courtesy of Amanda Tipton Photography
Audio By Carbonatix
The holidays with your family can be tricky. Between the overcooked turkey and undercooked opinions, sometimes you just need a little escape. Luckily, Denver’s theaters offer the perfect refuge: a warm seat, a dark room, and a few hours of festive fun that require no small talk or dishwashing. From soaring carols to side-splitting comedy, there’s plenty happening on stages across the metro area to make you forget that cousin Greg still hasn’t left your couch.
This year’s holiday lineup is a buffet of seasonal shenanigans, complete with dancing snowflakes, drag queens, Dickensian ghosts and more sequins than Santa’s workshop after hours. Whether you’re after a family-friendly favorite or something with a little more fizz in the eggnog, there’s a show for every mood and misfit. So grab your tickets and let Denver’s theater scene deliver the kind of holiday cheer you don’t have to fake.
A Christmas Carol
November 21-December 28
Wolf Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex
There’s no holiday season in Denver without Scrooge’s grumpy scowl and ultimate change of heart. The DCPA Theatre Company’s lavish production of A Christmas Carol, directed by Anthony Powell, brings Dickens’s timeless tale to life with gorgeous sets, towering music and a heart as big as Tiny Tim’s smile. It’s a feast of Victorian spectacle and Christmas spirit that’s been delighting Denver audiences for decades. Whether you’re a first-timer or a repeat visitor, this is one ghost story that never gets old.
Let Nothing You Dismay
November 22-December 21
Firehouse Theater Company, 7653 East First Place
Holiday chaos gets a heartfelt twist in Let Nothing You Dismay, a fast-paced comedy by Topher Payne. As Kevin and Allie await news of their adoption on Christmas Day, their quiet plans unravel when both sides of the family show up uninvited and full of surprises. Eight actors juggle 22 characters in this whirlwind farce, directed by Paul Jaquith, that finds humor and warmth in the messy realities of family life.
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Boulder Ballet presents The Nutcracker
November 28-30 at Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant Street, Boulder
December 6-7 at Vance Brand Auditorium, 600 East Mountain View Avenue, Longmont
December 13-14 at the Stanley Hotel, 333 East Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park
Boulder Ballet’s The Nutcracker takes its magic on the road this year, bringing holiday cheer to three Colorado communities. The season begins Thanksgiving weekend at Macky Auditorium with live accompaniment by the Boulder Philharmonic, followed by performances in Longmont with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and a cozy “Nutcracker Suite” weekend at the Stanley Hotel. This year also features the return of The Gentle Nutcracker, a sensory-friendly version crafted for neurodiverse audiences, in Longmont at 1 p.m. on December 6.
The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol
November 28-December 21
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 East Colfax Avenue
The ladies of Farndale Avenue are back, and they’re taking on Dickens! In this delightfully disastrous sendup of A Christmas Carol, a well-meaning community theater troupe attempts to stage the holiday classic, only to be thwarted by technical mishaps, missed cues and plenty of unintentional chaos. Directed by Richard R. Cowden, the madcap comedy features some of Colorado’s most beloved stage veterans delivering big laughs and festive mayhem.
Stocking Stuffers
November 28 through December 28
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miner’s Alley, Golden
The creators of The Great American Trailer Park Musical are unwrapping something wild for the holidays: Stocking Stuffers. With music and lyrics by David Nehls and a book by Betsy Kelso, this brand-new, adults-only comedy brings their signature wit and offbeat heart to the most wonderful time of the year. Expect outrageous characters, catchy tunes and a story that gleefully skewers holiday clichés while still warming your heart.
A Drag Queen Christmas
November 29
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex
The queens are coming to deck the halls, RuPaul style. A Drag Queen Christmas, hosted by fan favorite Nina West, brings together an all-star lineup of RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, including Crystal Methyd, Shea Couleé, Bosco and more for a night of holiday hilarity and high heels. The performance will feature festive songs and enough sparkle to light up the whole season. With sass, sequins and a message of self-love, this long-running drag tour is the ultimate grown-up way to ring in the holidays.
Belliston Ballet presents The Nutcracker
November 29-30
Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 East Iliff Avenue
A Denver holiday favorite returns as Belliston Ballet presents its annual production of The Nutcracker. For over thirty years, this beloved tradition has showcased the talent of young dancers alongside stunning costumes and classic choreography. Presented at the Newman Center, the production captures both the beauty of Tchaikovsky’s score and the joy of the season. Family-friendly and full of heart, it’s a wonderful way to kick off the holidays and celebrate the artistry of Denver’s next generation of performers.
Talmi Entertainment presents NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
November 29-30
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place
Celebrate the season with NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, a dazzling production that blends classical ballet with puppetry, acrobatics and lavish design. Featuring an international cast, handcrafted European costumes and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, this long-running holiday favorite brings warmth and wonder to audiences of all ages. Local children from Cherry Creek Dance join the professional company on stage, adding a hometown touch to the global tradition.
Colorado Ballet presents The Nutcracker
November 29-December 28
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex
For 65 seasons, Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker has been the crown jewel of Denver’s holiday calendar. With its mix of playful mice, glittering snowflakes and the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy, this production brings Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life with the full Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Elegant, heartfelt and steeped in tradition, it’s the definitive Nutcracker experience for audiences of all ages, and a holiday tradition that continues to sparkle year after year.
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
November 29-December 28
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, 1100 Miner’s Alley, Golden
Travel back to the golden age of radio as Miners Alley transforms into a 1940s broadcast studio for It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. This inventive retelling of the holiday classic features live sound effects, period music and a talented ensemble bringing dozens of beloved characters to life. Both nostalgic and freshly theatrical, it captures the warmth and spirit of the original film while celebrating the art of storytelling itself.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
December 3-7
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex
The Grinch is back to steal Christmas and your heart. This stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic tale brings Whoville to life with colorful sets, playful choreography and songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas.” Narrated by Max the Dog, the story follows the Grinch’s attempt to ruin the holiday for the ever-cheerful Whos, only to discover what Christmas is really about. With a quick 85-minute run time and plenty of humor, it’s an ideal holiday outing for families and anyone who loves a good redemption story.
Santa’s Big Red Sack – The Final Season
December 4-24
The People’s Building, 9995 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
After more than two decades of holiday mischief, Denver’s most irreverent Christmas tradition is taking its final bow. Santa’s Big Red Sack returns for one last sleigh ride, packed with outrageous sketches, musical mayhem and the gleefully twisted humor that’s made it a local legend since 2002. The original cast is back to deliver the sharp wit and wild antics that turned this show into a cult favorite. Expect your holiday spirit to come back a little warped and a lot funnier. It’s your last chance to laugh your way onto the naughty list before Santa packs up for good.
World Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker
December 6
Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 East Iliff Avenue
Based in Los Angeles, World Ballet Company brings The Nutcracker to Denver for a single evening of holiday tradition and timeless music. Featuring forty world-class dancers, 150 handcrafted costumes, and hand-painted sets that shimmer with festive magic, this Broadway-caliber production is a feast for the senses. From the twirling snowflakes to the sparkling Sugar Plum Fairy, every moment is steeped in seasonal wonder.
A Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin
December 9
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place
Thirty-five years later, Kevin McCallister is still defending his house, and now, his legacy. Join Macaulay Culkin himself for A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin, featuring a big-screen showing of the original Home Alone, followed by an exclusive live Q&A with the star who made holiday mischief iconic. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, on-set memories and Culkin’s reflections on why this booby-trapped classic continues to warm hearts (and singe burglars) each December. With limited VIP experiences available, this event is pure Christmas movie magic — no paint cans required!
Holidays at the Hideaway Hotel
December 11-21
Wonderbound, 3824 Dahlia Street
Contemporary dance group Wonderbound turns the season upside down with Holidays at the Hideaway Hotel, a new black comedy from Artistic Director Garrett Ammon. Blending dark humor, surreal storytelling and signature Wonderbound dance-theater flair, the piece channels the offbeat worlds of Wes Anderson, the Coen Brothers and David Lynch. The production features an eclectic live soundtrack by Erik Deutsch of the Black Crowes and an all-star band, creating a holiday experience that’s equal parts cinematic, chaotic and irresistibly cool.
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
December 12
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place
The Queens of Christmas are back to slay another season of sparkle and sass! Drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme bring their internationally acclaimed Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show to Denver for one glitter-drenched night only. Expect showstopping songs, campy comedy and a blizzard of sequins as these RuPaul’s Drag Race icons unwrap the meaning of the season, with a cocktail in hand and a wink to the crowd. It’s the holiday tradition for anyone who prefers their carols with a side of chaos and charisma.
Little Women & Nutcracker Suite
December 12-14, Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Allison Parkway
December 27-28, Parsons Theatre, 1 East Memorial Parkway Entrance, Northglenn
Ballet Ariel offers a fresh take on holiday tradition with Little Women & Nutcracker Suite, a charming double bill that blends literary grace with seasonal magic. The evening opens with the world premiere of Little Women, choreographed by Artistic Director Ilena Norton and performed to live music by Gossamer Winds. The program concludes with a sparkling Nutcracker Suite, featuring highlights from Tchaikovsky’s beloved score and refreshed choreography that brings new life to familiar favorites. Together, the two ballets create a heartfelt celebration of family, community and the spirit of the season.
A John Waters Christmas
December 14
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street, Boulder
If your holiday spirit leans more naughty than nice, the “Pope of Trash” has your name on his list. Cult filmmaker and gleeful provocateur John Waters returns with A John Waters Christmas, a one-man sleigh ride through the filthiest corners of festive cheer. Expect wicked wit, outrageous anecdotes and enough bad taste to make Santa blush. Equal parts comedy show and cultural exorcism, it’s the antidote to cookie-cutter holiday specials, because sometimes the season needs a little more sleaze and sparkle.
HoliSLAY
December 19-20
The Perplexiplex, Meow Wolf Denver, 1338 First Street
The queens (and kings) of the House of L’Whor are back to light up the season with HoliSLAY, Meow Wolf’s most fabulous holiday tradition. Hosted by Jessica L’Whor and featuring Foxxy L’Whor, Talia Tucker L’Whor, Chase Bottoms L’Whor and more, this high-voltage drag spectacular serves up fierce performances in a seasonal setting. With beats by DJ Blaque Gurl and a 21+ crowd ready to party, it’s the perfect blend of camp, cabaret and Christmas chaos.