2026 Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus

Take in one of the many magical Christmas theater shows or Christmas concerts in Columbus to get in the holiday spirit.

Start a new annual tradition with one of the regular events, or enjoy a new performance each year!

Columbus is host to many great Christmas theater performances and concerts each year. There are plenty to choose from at all price points! If you know of other great performances, please email info@columbusonthecheap.com to be included.

2026 Christmas Theater and Christmas Concerts in Columbus

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show (website)

Award-winning comedy icons, writers, actors, and drag queen powerhouses BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon are coming back to town with the wildly successful, internationally acclaimed, “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show.” Throughout the show’s 9-year history Jinkx and DeLa have met sentient Christmas treats, twisted space-time with Dickensian Ghosts, escaped the meta clutches of their own holiday traditions, and led a harrowing rescue mission in the Nutcracker’s Land of Sweets.

Whatever the twists and turns, fans can expect another year of over-the-top camp spectacle, side-splitting gags, brand new songs, heartfelt storytelling, thrilling dance numbers, and iconic costumes.

Date: Thursday, November 14, 2026  |  8 PM
Tickets: $62.50 – $241
Location: Southern Theatre

The Nutcracker with Movement on Main Center for Dance (website)

Dates: November 20-22, 2026
Tickets: on sale Nov 1
Location: Secrest Auditorium and Music Hall, 334 Shinnick St, Zanesville, Ohio

Shadowbox Live: Holiday Hoopla (details)

Holiday Hoopla: November 19 – December 26, 2026: (Slightly) raunchy Christmas Fun and Rock and Roll. Tickets are sold by the table, ranging from $56.50-$272.75 per table, depending on table selection and date/time. Great for dates and groups of friends for a night out!!

No So Silent Night: Opens November 29 – December 27, 2026. Not So Silent Night follows the story of a DJ taking requests and dedications on Christmas Eve, leading to a sweet, fun and song-filled holiday night.

Tickets: prices vary per show; see above
Location: 503 S. Front St. • Suite#260 • Columbus, OH • 43215

Love Actually in Concert (website)

Fall in love with the holidays all over again at LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT! As the beloved film plays in its entirety on a full-size screen, a live orchestra performs the soundtrack live

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026  |  7 PM
Tickets: $64.32-$147.99 (price does not include fees)
Location: Palace Theatre

A Drag Queen Christmas (website)

Murray & Peter Present “A Drag Queen Christmas” hosted by Nina West. It’s the longest running drag tour in America.

Get ready for your favorite queens performing live on stage. We’ve got Myki Meeks, Nini Coco, Darlene Mitchell, Juicy Love Dion, Discord Addams, Crystal Methyd and Silky Ganache. Recommended for ages 18+.

Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026  | 7:30 PM
Tickets: $42.14-$116
Location: Palace Theatre

The Nutcracker presented by The Central Ohio Youth Ballet (website)

Dates: November 27 – 29, 2026. Show times vary by date.
Tickets: $24-$29 (price does not include fees)
Location: Midland Theatre, 36 N Park Pl, Newark, OH 43055

A Christmas Carol (website)

CAPA is proud to present a new version of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol, blending traditional and contemporary stage with local and national performers.

Date: November 27-29, 2026
Tickets: $33.07 – $60.90
Location: Ohio Theatre

An Acoustic Christmas with Over The Rhine (website)

Dates: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $41- $50
Location: Lincoln Theatre

Home for the Holidays with CJO (website)

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s annual Home for the Holidays concerts are always festive, heart-warming and totally swingin’. A holiday musical treat featuring Broadway star Mammie Parris.

Dates: December 3-6, 2026
Tickets: $15-$107
Location: Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main Street, Columbus, OH 43215 

Capital University Christmas Festival (website)

The Christmas Festival concerts feature the Chapel Choir, Choral Union, Cantabile, Consort, and a variety of instrumentalists. This festival is a long-standing holiday tradition enjoyed by the university, its friends and the greater Columbus community.

Dates: December 3-6, 2026
Tickets: On sale in early November
Location: Mees Hall at Capital University

Holiday Pops with CSO (details)

The Columbus Symphony’s holiday tradition is back with spectacular performances of your favorite holiday songs and carols featuring the Columbus Children’s Choir and starring Tony DeSare and your Columbus Symphony.

Dates: December 4-6, 2026
Tickets: $23.63-$109.48
Location: Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Holiday Pops with Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Wonderment (website)

Columbus Dance Theatre brings back its holiday favorite, Wonderment. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, this family-friendly, full length ballet production blends storytelling and dance while exploring themes of friendship and hope.

Dates: December 4 & 5, 2026
Tickets: $24-$36
Locations: Lincoln Theatre

Mr. Scrooge (website)

A holiday favorite returns with heart, humor, and just the right amount of magic. When the famously grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirited ghosts, he’s swept on a whirlwind journey through past, present, and future that just might change him forever. Bursting with lively songs, playful storytelling, and vibrant characters, this fast-moving 60-minute musical is perfectly sized for families and young audiences.

Dates: December 4–23, 2026
Tickets: $31-$38
Location: Studio One Theatre, Riffe Center

The Worthington Chorus Presents: Storybook Christmas (website)

The Worthington Chorus promises a festive and magical holiday experience, enchanting audiences with beloved carols and heartwarming seasonal stories brought to life through song.

Dates: December 5, 2026 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $16, Children 12 and under $8
Location: McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St, Columbus, OH 43085

Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols (website)

Saint Mark’s Choir and the Canterbury Choir will lead the the service of Lessons and Carols, which alternates Advent-themed lessons with beautiful and inspiring music, all in preparation for the Christmas season.

Music will include choral works by Malcom Archer, Gustave Holst, Giovanni Pierlugi da Palestrina, Mark Sirett, Natalie Sleeth, Conrad Susa, and Healy Willin. A reception will follow.

Date: December 6, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Tickets: FREE, donations will be accepted in support of the Special Music Fund at Saint Mark’s.
Location: Saint Mark’s, 2151 Dorset Road, Upper Arlington. Parking is available in the Tremont Shopping Center and the Upper Arlington library lot.

A Very Merry Holiday Pops with Newark Granville Symphony Orchestra (website)

A beloved community tradition returns! Join the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra and the Denison University Choirs for a festive holiday celebration that will warm your heart and lift your spirits. 

Date: December 6, 2026 at 4:00 pm and 7:00pm
Tickets: starting at $37.50
Location: John Gilbert Reese Center, 1209 University Drive, Newark, OH

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (website)

Record-setting Broadway sensation which features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated television special. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. 

Dates: December 8–13, 2026
Tickets: $52 – $148
Location: Palace Theatre

Uptown Scrooge Abridged! in Westerville (website)

Take a seat for an interactive performance of “A Christmas Carol” where the audience members go on Scrooge’s journey, with plenty of laughter, drama and surprises along the way. The twist? You are the star of the show and can control the story. Join the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, to share the magic of Dickens’ classic tale like never before.

Dates: Sundays, December tba 2026
Tickets: $26 for adults; $16 for students and seniors.
Location: Tours start at Java Central, 20 E. College Ave. Westerville

Vaud-Villities Christmastime in Columbus (website)

Step into the heart of the holiday season with Christmastime In Columbus! Prepare to be dazzled and delighted by a magical event that captures the charm of Columbus and the warmth of the holiday season with festive cheer, sparkling performances, and unforgettable moments.

Dates: December 10-13, 2026
Tickets: $20-$50
Location: The Roth/Resler Theater at JCC Columbus

BalletMet The Nutcracker (details)

BalletMet The Nutcracker returns to the Ohio Theatre in 2023! This family-friendly performance has become a holiday tradition for all ages. Tickets are limited and will sell out.

Dates: December 10-27, 2026
Tickets: $38.50 to $121.45. Other discounts and My First Nutcracker available. Read more here.
Location: Ohio Theatre

My First Nutcracker (website)

These performances are the perfect choice for our youngest fans and any child who may prefer a shorter, less crowded, and more casual environment.

December 22 at 11:00 a.m.
December 23 at 11:00 a.m.

BalletMet The Nutcracker

Progressive Christmas Concert (website)

Get in the holiday spirit with a unique Christmas concert. Attend three separate performances at three Uptown Westerville churches located within a block of each other. Costumed guides will lead ticket holders between venues by lanterns. 

Dates: December 11, 2026, 7-9:15 p.m.
Tickets: $15 
Location: Starting location will be announced with ticket purchase.

The Irish Nutcracker (website)

Join Clara on her enchanting journey of the Land of Sweets this holiday season! Featuring dancers from The Irwin Academy of Irish Dance, enjoy this classic tale with an added twist.

Dates:
Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Tickets: $16-$36
Location: Weathervane Playhouse, 100 Price Rd, Newark, Ohio 43055

NABC The Nutcracker (website)

Presented by the New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre. Experience the delightful orchestral sounds, colorful costuming and graceful dancing of over 220 youth and professional dancers with the NACBT’s production of The Nutcracker.

Dates: December 11-13, 2026
Tickets: Tickets on sale 
Location: Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, OH 43054

PBJ & Jazz: Songs of the Season (website)

Get into the holiday spirit with Songs of the Season.
PBJ & Jazz concerts are 45-minute long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. Featuring some of Columbus’ finest musicians and ensembles, PBJ & Jazz concerts are a great introduction to live music for the youngest audience member.

Date: December 12, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Tickets: $6.29 per person ($23.81 per family)
Location: Columbus Main Library

Sassy Brassy Season (website)

Join CGMC as we do the holidays right with your favorite sacred, secular, and campy music as only this gay men’s chorus can. But this year, we do it with brass! There is no better way to get you in the holiday mood than with your favorite Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus.

Dates: December 12-13, 2026
Tickets: $21.30-$127.70
Location: Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center

Hilliard Community Chorus Concert: Messiah (website)

Hilliard Community Choir presents a chorale rendition of Handel’s Messiah. This timeless masterpiece, celebrated for its powerful arias and grand choruses, will be brought to life by our dedicated ensemble of local voices.

Dates: December 13, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Tickets: Free admission, donations encouraged
Location: Hilliard Davidson High School, 5100 Davidson Rd.

Dave Koz & Friends 2026 (website)

Marking the 29th anniversary of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour, Dave Koz & Friends bring a fresh sensibility to this rich musical tradition on their 2026 outing, performing timeless Christmas classics, a Chanukah medley and hits from each artist’s respective catalogue.

This year’s tour reunites Koz with long-time musical partner, guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler, and features special guests, vocalist Haley Reinhart, bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams, and keyboardist Kayla Waters—all of whom are truly artists on the rise.

Dates: December 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $54
Location: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Columbus

O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy (website)

Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss… Grab your teacups! Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario Award-winning duo steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos.
Rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements, O Christmas Tea is uproarious fun, yet it is the duo’s boundless imagination and endearing chemistry that provide the real magic and heart of this play.

Tour dates: 
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Midland Theatre, Newark Ohio
Thursday, December 17, 2026  |  7:30 PM | CAPA: Davidson Theatre at the Riffe Center

Mad, Mad Men concert Swingin’ Holiday Show (website)

Playing hits from the great American song book as well as Holiday faves from the early 1960s, these talented and seasoned members of the well-known “Phil Dirt and the Dozers” band are sure to turn out another memorable show!

Dates: December 17-19, 2026; Dessert reception starts at 6 pm
Tickets: $40. The MAC will be collecting canned foods to support our neighbors through the great work of the Worthington Food Pantry.
Location: McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St, Worthington, OH 43085

Hip Hop Nutcracker (website)

A holiday mash-up for the entire family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a re-mixed and re-imagined contemporary dance spectacle that transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th century Germany to the vibrant sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, this unique and joyful production is performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, an electric violinist, and one of hip hop’s founding fathers, MC Kurtis Blow, who opens the show with a short set.

Dates: December 18, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $47.59-$88.52
Location: Palace Theatre

Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration (website)

Jim Brickman’s A Christmas Celebration is just that. A holiday concert event filled with music, laughter and beautiful moments that last a lifetime. Be a part of the magic and join audiences, of all ages, who call it their favorite Yuletide tradition. Some even say it’s “The Best Christmas Show Ever.” Grab your seats and find out for yourself!

Dates: Friday, December 18, 2026  |  7:30 PM
Tickets: $40-$84
Location: Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center

Handel’s Messiah (website)

Experience the timeless grandeur and sacred tradition of Messiah, Handel’s exultant masterpiece, featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus in the intimate setting of the Southern Theatre. The triumphant “Hallelujah” chorus is a highlight of this iconic oratorio, a beloved holiday tradition cherished by many.

Dates: December 18–20, 2026
Tickets: $25-$105
Location: Southern Theatre

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (website)

This beloved Columbus tradition is coming to the Lincoln Theatre stage. Such Sweet Thunder presents their annual rendition of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, a seasonal favorite that is always a sellout at Natalie’s Grandview.

Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 3 PM & 8 PM
Tickets: $46
Location: Lincoln Theatre

Holiday Spectacular New Albany Symphony Orchestra (details)

The New Albany Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the New Albany Symphony Chorus in a festive performance of holiday favorites. Don’t forget to arrive early for the gift basket fundraiser.

Dates: December 19-20, 2026
Tickets: $20-$35
Location: Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, OH 43054

Santa and the Symphony – sensory friendly (website)

Designed for those on the autism spectrum, our friends in the dementia/Alzheimer’s community, or for those audience members needing a more relaxed concert experience. Performances are never longer than an hour and include pre-concert lobby activities.

Dates: December 19, 2026. Performance at 11:30 am.
Tickets: 500 FREE tickets per concert (limit 4 per family). Additional tickets $10.
Location: McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 E Dublin Granville Rd, New Albany, OH 43054

New Albany Symphony series and sensory-friendly symphony

Merry TubaChristmas (website)

Dates: Monday, December 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Participants welcome to register to play for $15. Free for audience to watch, but they are collecting canned goods for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Location: Mees Hall at Capital University

https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/tubachristmas/

Cirque Dreams Holidaze (website)

Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a  reimagined spectacular featuring breathtaking circus acts, live holiday music and whimsical storytelling.

From gravity-defying acrobatics to jaw-dropping feats of strength and agility, every act is set to a modern soundtrack of beloved Christmas classics. It’s a spellbinding winter journey through music, movement, and holiday joy—perfect for the whole family.

Dates:
December 26, 2026 at 3 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
December 27, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $48.80-$105.25
Location: Palace Theatre

Looking for more Christmas fun?

Here’s the day-by-day list of Christmas events in Columbus!

Find upcoming holiday events!