In an expanding tradition, lots of people cherish watching seasonally-themed movies during the winter holidays. Netflix even started promoting its line-up during the middle of the fall. But another way to enjoy festive stories that tend to have very happy endings is at live theatre performances. From Wilmington to Bethany, we’re blessed with many options that will entertain adults and kids alike. Here are a few that look especially fun from this list of more than 50 venues https://www.visitdelaware.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/theater-concerts/.
In Newark, the Delaware Dance Company returns with its 41st annual performance of The Nutcracker https://delawaredancecompany.org/nutcracker-2024. It happens the weekend of December 13th at the University of Delaware’s Mitchell Hall. And if you have kids or grandkids who really love dance, there’s the opportunity for a special treat on Saturday, December 14th. when they can meet the Nutcracker cast and have their photos taken with Clara, her Prince, and Drosselmeyer and get autographs from other cast members as well. Tickets for this “Meet & Greet” are $12. Visit the link for details on the performances and ticket sales.
In Wilmington, there’s another staging of The Nutcracker by the First State Ballet Theatre at Copeland Hall running from December 14th through December 22nd. Get the details and tickets at https://www.firststateballet.org/the-nutcracker.
In Wilmington, Holidays at the Hotel is a dress-up occasion, with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra at the Hotel du Pont. It happens on Tuesday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Gold Ballroom, where you’ll hear joyful melodies of Back and Dvorak and enjoy a dessert and wine reception during intermission, which is included with the cost of your ticket. True classical music aficionados will also appreciate the talents of DSO concertmaster David Southorn and Maxwell Brown on Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins. Get all of the details at https://delawaresymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SRd000004anpVMAQ.
Also in Wilmington, the Delaware Theatre Company takes you Home for the Holidays. Billed as White Christmas meets The Ed Sullivan Show, it features musical performances from some of Delaware’s most talented performers. It takes place December 4th through the 22nd. Get the details at https://www.delawaretheatre.org/home-for-the-holidays.
Still in Wilmington, the Candlelight Theatre presents the festive favorite Holiday Inn, a play based on the beloved film. It’s got lots of romance and joy with thrilling dances and Irving Berlin classics. Performances have already started and run through December 22nd – and tickets are selling out quickly! Learn more at https://candlelighttheatredelaware.org/2024-season-main-stage-shows/.
At Winterthur, enjoy elegance and drama with a candlelit performance by OperaDelaware. It happens on December 14th from 6 to 7 p.m. and features wonderful seasonal classics. Learn more at https://www.winterthur.org/calendar/operadelaware-holiday-candlelight-concert/.
In Middletown, Anastasia is a musical treat running from December 13th through December 22nd at the Everett Theatre. It’s a cheerful rumination on fate and destiny driven by mystery, romance and adventure. Learn all about it at https://theeverett.org/live-theatre.
In Dover, enjoy some macabre Christmas fun with Scrooge MacBeth by David MacGregor at the Kent County Theatre Guild. It’s a madcap mix about actors sidelined by food poisoning, which hobbles their performances Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale, a theatre operating in the red, and a rambunctious crowd that demands the show must go on. It runs December 6th through December 21st with a matinee performance on December 15th. Learn more at https://www.kctg.org/scrooge-macbeth-2024.
In Milford, the Second Street Players will present The Sound of Music on weekends between November 29th and December 15th. Details are at http://www.secondstreetplayers.com/.
In Georgetown, celebrate all of the ghosts with A Christmas Carol with performances from December 6th through December 15th by the Possum Point Players http://www.possumpointplayers.org/.
At the Milton Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a perfect holiday musical set for December 13th. Learn more at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/32052823/joseph-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-milton-milton-theatre?partner_id=100.
In Rehoboth, Clear Space Theatre presents White Christmas from November 29th through December 15th. It’s a stage musical based on the film about post WWII celebrations of the holiday season. Learn more at https://www.clearspacetheatre.org/shows/white-christmas/.