Santa letters have been sent, holiday hits are on rotation at department stores, and Mother Nature has finally decided to adorn the Twin Cities with a stunning blanket of powdery snow. It’s beginning to look, feel, and sound a lot like Christmas around here, and we couldn’t possibly be more excited.
But the season’s warm-and-fuzzies wouldn’t be complete without a family trip to one of Minnesota’s holiday entertainment staples. Here’s a roundup of our picks for the top five holiday traditions in local performing arts:
1. A Christmas Carol
Don’t be a Scrooge! Get your family into the Christmas spirit with this Guthrie classic, now in its 38th year. (Guthrie Theater through Dec. 29, $34-$85)
2. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Not your ordinary school Christmas pageant. SteppingStone presents its annual children’s holiday show for the 21st time. (SteppingStone Theatre through Dec. 23, $12-$15)
3. The Classic Nutcracker
A family favorite: Minnesota Ballet’s annual spectacular takes center stage at O’Shaughnessy. (Minnesota Ballet through Dec. 16, $18-$44)
4. A world…A way
Angelic voices summon the spirit of the season in the Minnesota Boychoir’s annual winter concert. (Minnesota Boychoir through Jan. 27, Donations accepted)
5. Christmas at Chanhassen
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres returns to its original revue—dating back to 1987—featuring classic holiday tunes and a festive dinner spread. (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres through Dec. 31, $47-$71)
