No matter your religious beliefs or personal tastes, there’s just something magical about taking in a show or concert during the holiday season. From early November to late December, the Twin Cities already stellar performing arts scene cranks it up a notch, truly offering something for everyone.

Take a look at just some of the ways the quintessential holiday performances play out on our stages. Consider the Nutcracker. You can see classic renditions by the Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota at the Ames Center or the Moscow Ballet’s version at the Orpheum, a “fantasy” version at the State Theater, and even a “hip hop” version at the Ordway.

Looking for something a little more, well, amusing? Try “What the Elf” at Brave New Workshop, ‘The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” by the infamous Actor’s Theater at The Cabaret at Camp Bar, or none other than our hometown, internationally acclaimed Church Ladies at Plymouth Playhouse as they perform “Away in the Basement.”

Other stage performances well worth taking the time out of the busy season are “All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914” at the Pantages Theatre and “The Lion In Winter,” at the Guthrie.

Indeed, from early November to late January, the lights go down and curtains rise in theaters and auditoriums across the Twin Cities, which boast more theater seats per capita than any U.S. metro except New York City. But what’s more, Minnesota ranks near the top nationwide in federal and state arts funding as well as in abundantly generous philanthropic giving from communities flanking our amazing sister cities.

Best of Twin Cities Holiday Theater

2016 Holiday Revue: What the Elf?, Brave New Workshop, Nov. 12, 15, 18
Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas, Plymouth Playhouse, Nov. 16-Dec. 31
A Drag Queen Christmas, Pantages Theatre, Nov. 18
A Christmas Carol, Wurtele Thrust Stage, Guthrie, Nov. 18-Dec. 30
The Lion In Winter, Mcguire Proscenium Stage, Guthrie, Nov. 19-Dec. 31
The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Ordway Theater, Nov. 22-23
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russion Nutcracker, Orpheum Theater, Nov. 26
Actor’s Theater of Minnesota’s The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, The Cabaret at Camp Bar, Dec. 2-23
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, SteppingStone Theatre, Dec. 6-23
White Christmas, Ordway Theater, Dec. 8 – 31
Actor’s Theater of Minnesota’s Comedy Roast of Mr. Scrooge, The Cabaret in Camp Bar, Dec. 9-21
Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota: The Nutcracker, Dec. 9-11
Nutcracker Fantasy, State Theater, Dec. 16-23
The Classic Nutcracker, The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, Dec. 16-18
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Pantages Theatre, Dec. 19-22