Holiday Performances in Central KY

Enjoy celebrating the holidays with special performances in Central KY. Theatre, ballet, music and more! You’ll find all the local performances here!

Lexington Children’s Theatre

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Saturday, November 25, 2023 – 2:00 pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm*
Sunday, December 3, 2022 – 2:00pm
*Pay What You Will

The Bradley family’s church Christmas Pageant is always the same, year after year – until the Herdmans show up! With “the worst kids in the world” taking the lead roles, this year’s Pageant will be a total disaster. But it might just be the year when the rambunctious, rag-tag Herdmans help their community see Christmas in a whole new way, and prove that even “the worst kids in the world” can change it for the better.

The Nutcracker

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 7 pm
The beloved family tradition is back: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! Gather your loved ones for the warm glow nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets, and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet.

The Lexington Ballet
Friday, December 1, 2023 7 pm and Saturday, December 2, 2023 2 pm at Boyle County Performing Arts Center
Friday, December 22, 2023 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 2 pm at EKU Center for the Arts
This holiday tradition is an enchanting production that will delight every member of the family. Join Marie on a magical journey with the Sugar Plum Fairy, waltzing flowers, the Snow Queen, and, of course, the Nutcracker Prince as they battle the Mouse King and travel to the Land of Sweets.

Kentucky Ballet Theatre
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 7 pm at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset
December 9 – 10, 16 – 17, 2023 at The Lexington Opera House
Kentucky Ballet Theatre is proud to present The Nutcracker at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset and the Lexington Opera House. The Nutcracker, a magical Christmas ballet, is set to the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. This holiday performance is complete with Drosselmeyer and Clara, along with a cast of snowflakes, mice, soldiers, angels, fairies, and of course the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
You don’t want to miss this holiday tradition!

The Nutcracker on Ice
Satruday, December 2, 2023 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 3, 2023 4 pm
Enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker ON ICE at the Lexington Ice Center. For more information contact the ticket office at 859-619-6228.

Bluegrass Youth Ballet – “The Nutcracker in One Act” at the Singletary Center
Friday, December 15, 2023 7 pm
Saturday, December 16, 2023 2 pm
resented in a single, family-friendly act, BYB’s version of The Nutcracker was created with younger audiences in mind, condensing the enchantment to one hour to keep the attention of younger children. Follow the adventures of Clara, a young girl that receives a beautiful Nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Delighted with the gift, Clara falls asleep holding her new toy until she’s suddenly awakened as a mouse steals her Nutcracker. Suddenly, her living room is magically transformed into a battlefield where the Nutcracker fights off the Rat Queen. The Snow Queen arrives and sweeps Clara and the Nutcracker through the Land of Snow to the Land of Sweets, where colorful visitors entertain them with dances from around the world. Clara’s mother finds her asleep on the couch where Clara has dreamt the fabulous story of The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker by Lexington Dance Factory at EKU Center for the Arts
Friday, December 15, 2023 10 am & 12:15 pm *School shows
Saturday, December 16, 2023 1 pm & 6 pm

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Ballet

December 20 & 21, 2023 Times TBA
FREE Tickets available online. Performances at The Singletary Center for the Arts. A Lexington Christmas tradition! Join us for the ballet production of C.S. Lewis’ classic tale, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Link to tickets will be posted on their Facebook page, in the event listing on Facebook, and on their website: www.lwwballet.com

Lexington Philharmonic

A Cathedral Christmas at The Cathedral of Christ the King
Saturday, December 16, 2023 8 pm
LexPhil and The Lexington Singers return to the beautiful Cathedral of Christ the King for this holiday tradition in a program of timeless orchestral and choral works. This awe-inspiring musical experience in a divine setting will transport all to a place of peace that evokes the spirit of the holiday season.

Lexington Chamber Chorale

Sing Noel at Second Presbyterian Church
Sunday, November 26, 2023 5:00pm
Welcome the holiday season with our concert of both new and familiar tunes with fresh arrangements. Featuring an audience favorite carol sing-a-long, Sing Noel is the perfect concert to celebrate the season with the whole family.

COLLAGE: A Holiday Spectacular presented by UK Choirs

Saturday, December 2, 2023 2:00pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 7:30pm
Sunday, December 3, 2023 3:00pm

Rejoice in the holiday spirit with the 26th annual Collage! Celebrated vocalists and musicians from the UK School of Music and the Lexington Singers Children’s Choir perform holiday favorites from close to home and around the globe, conducted by UK Director of Choirs, Dr. Jefferson Johnson. Also featuring special guest choirs from George Rogers Clark HS, Lafayette HS, and Franklin County HS

“We Wi-Schumann ‘erry Christmas”

Monday, December 18, 2023 6:30 pm

It’s time for next-level Christmas carols with Renaissance-Rock fusion string quartets by Jeremy Crosmer, followed by Schumann’s cheery piano quintet. Free admission (donations welcome)! Presented at St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church.