10 Holiday Shows to See in December
Season’s greetings theatre-goers! The holidays are a perfect time to catch a festive show in Buffalo – from classic tales of Dickens, family-friendly productions, interactive performances and hometown-themed adaptations, there’s plenty of holiday cheer on the playbill in Buffalo. Whether you’re looking to take a wintry stroll through the Theatre District or heading to one of our many neighborhood theatres, these are the top 10 shows to see in December:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Shea’s, 646 Main St, Buffalo
Bringing the beloved 1964 animated special characters to life, this adaptation is perfect for all ages and opens the doors of Shea’s, Buffalo’s grandest theatre, to all!
Playing December 20 to 22 — Tickets & showtimes at Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Christmas Over the Tavern at Shea’s 710 Theatre, 710 Main St, Buffalo
Written by beloved Buffalo playwright Tom Dudzick, Christmas Over the Tavern is a comedic musical that follows the Pazinskis, a lower-middle class family living over a saloon in 1959, who are not having their usual merry Christmas.
Playing until December 22 — Tickets & showtimes at Shea’s 710 Theatre
A Child’s Christmas in Wales at Irish Classical Theatre, 625 Main St, Buffalo
Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ delightful reminiscence of a magical snow-filled Christmas past allows us to enjoy the holidays through the wide-eyed, innocent eyes of a child.
Playing until December 15 — Tickets & showtimes at Irish Classical Theatre
Photo courtesy of Alleyway Theatre
A Christmas Carol at Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo
If you prefer the Dickens tale told in the traditional fashion, travel with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future in this 37th annual rendition by the folks at Alleyway Theatre.
Playing until December 22 — Tickets & showtimes at Alleyway Theatre
The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes Holiday Edition at Alleyway Cabaret, 672 Main St, Buffalo
Imagine… everyone’s favorite Golden Girls have flown north for the holidays… and they’re played by men!?
Playing until December 28 — Tickets & showtimes at Alleyway Theatre
Elf: The Musical at MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St, Amherst
Based on the beloved holiday film, Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Come along as Buddy discovers his true identity and along the way helps his new family remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Playing until December 21 — Tickets & showtimes at MusicalFare Theatre
Photo courtesy of Lancaster Opera House
The Night Before Christmas at Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave, Lancaster
A Lancaster Opera House tradition this interactive performance of the Christmastown fable calls upon the audience to defeat frost giants, foil the diabolical Toymaster’s plans and sing & dance along with Christmas cheer.
Playing December 13 to 15 — Tickets & showtimes at Lancaster Opera House
Miracle on 34th Street at Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave, Lancaster
A live musical radio play adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio boradcast by Lance Arthur Smith with original lyrics, music, and arrangements by Jon Lorenz.
Playing until December 8 — Tickets & showtimes at Lancaster Opera House
Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Theatre of Youth, 203 Allen St, Buffalo
Nothing brightens the dull days of winter like a troupe of tap-dancing penguins! Based on the unforgettable classic, Mr. Popper’s Penguins tells the warm-hearted tale of Mr. Popper, a man who dreams of becoming an Antarctic explorer.
Playing December 7 to 22 – Tickets and showtimes at Theatre of Youth
A Very Diva Christmas at O’Connell & Company, 4625 Harlem Rd, Snyder
Join O’Connell & Company for A Very Diva Chirstmas, celebrating the joys, traditions, carols, songs, stories, folk tales and magic of the Holiday Season. Reminisce the Buffalo traditions of the holidays like AM&A’s Downtown Christmas Windows, Hengerers Santa, 998 Broadway adventures, caroling, sharing the light of the festive Chanukah candles, cookie swaps and so much more.
Playing December 13 to 15 – Tickets & showtimes at O’Connell & Company
Get the latest news, reviews and theatre listings by visiting the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo
