Nutcracker Shows and Holiday Performances in Metro Detroit

Get in the holiday spirit at one of these upcoming holiday stage shows and concerts.
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Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker Waltz of the Magical Snow Forest. // Photograph courtesy of Moscow Ballet/313 Presents

The holidays are fast approaching, and with stage performances of The Nutcracker, comedy shows, holiday classics, and musical versions of your favorite seasonal movies, Metro Detroit has no shortage of stage shows sure to give you a little holiday cheer.

Here’s a few of our favorite upcoming Nutcracker shows and holiday performances happening in southeast Michigan in 2023.

Polar Express 3D

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn plays this classic holiday movie about a boy who climbs aboard a magical train to the North Pole on their big screen. $8.50-$11. Select days Nov. 24-Jan. 1. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearbornthehenryford.org.

The Nutcracker

The State Ballet of Ukraine takes you to a winter wonderland as they perform the Tchaikovsky holiday favorite. Tickets start at $25. Nov. 29. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison St., Detroit; musichall.org

A Very Northville Christmas

A professional woman from the corporate world returns to her hometown of Northville for her boss when she runs into a handsome high school acquaintance during this spoof of Hallmark’s holiday tropes. Ticket fees apply. Nov. 29. Tipping Point Theatre, 361 E. Cady St., Northville; tippingpointtheatre.com

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas One and All

The iconic “Queen of Christmas” hits the stage once again for her Christmas extravaganza. Watch as she performs her collection of seasonal songs including All I Want For Christmas Is You. Tickets start at $75. Dec. 1. Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com

The Nutcracker

Macomb Ballet Company puts on a traditional performance of The Nutcracker, complete with the sugar plums dancing in your head. $25. Dec. 1-3. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Townshipmacombcenter.com.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Lose yourself in this 90-minute Broadway-style cirque production featuring contemporary circus performances like aerial acts, juggling, acrobatics, and more set to some of your favorite seasonal tunes. Tickets start at $22. Dec. 1-3. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com

Jingle Babs

The Ringwald Theatre and Affirmations in Ferndale put on this new holiday show, which tells the story of the first time Barbra Streisand hosts her first live Christmas show — but the weather is keeping the stars from the studio. $15-$25. Dec. 1-8. The Ringwald inside of Affirmations Community Center, 290 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale; theringwald.com

Celtic Woman Christmas Symphony Tour

Enjoy a holiday performance by these Grammy-nominated musicians. Tickets start at $59. Dec. 3. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison St., Detroitmusichall.org.

Channel 955 Jingle Ball

The line-up for the annual holiday concert, presented by iHeartRadio Channel 95.5, features big names including Usher, Big Time Rush, Flo Rida, Kaliii, and others performing holiday hits. Tickets start at $75. Dec. 5. Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com

Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Tour

The American saxophonist performs a holiday show alongside special guests Keiko Matsui, Rick Braun, Peter White, and Rebecca Jade. Tickets start at $45. Dec. 7. Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 1211 Chrysler Drive, Detroit; musichall.org

Holiday Pops

Catch Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells Forever, and more seasonal songs to lift the spirits at this annual holiday show. $10-$35. Dec. 7-8. First United Methodist Church on Thursday and Northville Marquis Theater on Friday; michiganphil.org

A Magical Cirque Christmas: A Holiday Variety Show

The magic of the holiday season comes to life as world-class cirque performers show off their jaw-dropping talents to some of your favorite Christmas songs. Tickets start at $35. Dec. 8. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit313presents.com

Celtic Angels Christmas

This performance combines traditional and contemporary Irish and holiday tunes. $41.25-$59. Dec. 8. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township; macombcenter.com

The Snowman

This holiday performance is based on the beloved children’s book by Raymond Briggs, which will be projected on a big screen while a live orchestra performs the score. Tickets start at $20. Dec. 9. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroitdso.org

Christmas With The Celts

Enjoy performances of both modern and classic Christmas songs including Little Drummer BoySanta Claus is Coming to Town, and John Lennon’s Happy Christmas. Plus, ancient Irish carols, music by a children’s choir, and Irish dancing. $35. Dec. 9. Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton; cantonvillagetheater.org

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

This performance of The Nutcracker features dazzling acrobatics, stunning costumes, giant puppets, and more. Tickets start at $30. Dec. 10. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.

One Sleepy Night — Detroit

This new holiday musical follows Grandpa Benny as he tells his granddaughter, Shantelle, the Christian story of Christmas, for the first time. Tickets start at $30. Dec. 15. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison St., Detroit; musichall.org

Home for the Holidays

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs some holiday favorite tunes during this annual show. A possible visit from Santa, too. Tickets start at $49. Dec. 15-17. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dso.org.  

Holiday Pops!

This show highlights the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, Measure for Measure, and members of the Skyline, Huron, and Pioneer High School Choirs, as they perform seasonal music, carols, and classic holiday songs. $12.50-$75. Dec. 16. Hill Auditorium, 815 N. Huron Ave., Ann Arbor; a2so.org.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

With more than 35 years of performances, this show is the longest running concert tour in the entertainment industry. This year’s show will highlight the “signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller and dazzling multimedia effects.” Tickets start at $25. Dec. 17. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com.

The Music of the Nutcracker With The DSO

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs some of the music from the Tchaikovsky classic. Tickets start at $29. Dec. 20. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dso.org

The Illusionists — Magic of the Holidays

The magic of the season comes to life — literally! Watch as some of the most talented magicians showcase their most mind-blowing tricks. Tickets start at $25. Dec. 21-23. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313presents.com

Elf in Concert

Enjoy a musical version of the hilarious holiday story about a toddler named Buddy who was raised in the North Pole by an elf and went to New York City in search of his real father as an adult. Tickets start at $49. Dec. 22-23. Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dso.org

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve — The Best of TSO & More

The multi-platinum rock group returns to Detroit for two performances of their highly-anticipated holiday show. Catch them as they put their spin on your favorite holiday classics. Tickets start at $49. Dec. 23. Little Caesars Arena. 313presents.com.

This post has been updated for 2023.