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!
BalletMet the Nutcracker
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.
NOTE: For 2021, many venues require a negative COVID test and/or proof of vaccine, and masks. Please check details for each venue BEFORE you book. We did not include each requirement, as these may change throughout the next month.
2021 Christmas Theater and Christmas Concerts in Columbus
Shadowbox Live: Holiday Hoopla (details)
Dates:
Holiday Hoopla: November 18 – December 23: (Slightly) raunchy Christmas Fun and Rock and Roll. Tickets are purchased in groups of 2 or 4 to ensure each table is a private party. Lots of safety procedures are in place! Great for dates and groups of friends for a night out!!
No So Silent Night: Opens November 28 – December 19. 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
The Nutcracker with Movement on Main Center for Dance (website)
Dates: November 27-28, 2021
Tickets: $15-$25
Location: Secrest Auditorium and Music Hall, 334 Shinnick St, Zanesville, Ohio
CATCO Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (website)
Legendary folk hero Hershel of Ostropol saves Hanukkah in this stage adaptation of the award-winning children’s book by Eric Kimmel. Will Hershel’s wit, wisdom, and delightful sense of humor be enough to outsmart the goblins, allowing the villagers to celebrate Hanukkah once again? The story comes to life with music and puppetry for audiences of all ages.
Dates: November 27–December 12, 2021
Tickets: $15-$25
Location: Studio Two, Riffe Center
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 Nashville-based singer-songwriter Vanessa Campagna.
2021 Dates:
Wednesday, December 1, 7:30pm
Thursday, December 2, 7:30pm
Friday, December 3, 8pm*
Saturday, December 4, 8pm
Sunday, December 5, 3pm
Livestream and in-person tickets available
Tickets: $10-$68 for in person concert; $20 for household live-streaming at www.jag.tv
Location: Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main Street, Columbus, OH 43215 AND digital tickets available
Capital University Christmas Festival (website)
The 2021 Christmas Festival in person 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 2-5, 2021
Tickets: $20 for students, $35 for adults
Location: Mees Hall, Capital University, E Mound St, Bexley, OH 43209
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis (website)
Dates: Saturday, December 3, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $39-$89
Location: Palace Theatre
Vaud-Villities Santa’s Workshop (website)
Vaud-Villities Productions, is a non-profit performing arts organization providing over 75 years of vocal and dance entertainment in Columbus, Ohio. “America’s Longest-Running Music and Dance Spectacular.” Performances are typically held at the Northland Performance Arts Center (NPAC) just off Morse Road in the Northland area. Vaud-Villities offers musical shows with family values for the young and old at heart.
Dates: December 3-5, 2021
Tickets: Ages 19-64, $25/ticket, Ages 6-18, $10/ticket, Ages 5 and under, free, Age 65+, $20/ticket, Student ID, $15/ticket
Location: Northland Performing Arts Center, 4411 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229
Holiday Pops with CSO (website)
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 singer/actor Capathia Jenkins and your Columbus Symphony!! Sing-a-long to songs like Winter Wonderland, We Wish You A Merry Christmas and more!! And of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa!
Bring a new toy for the Firefighters 4 Kids toy drive and receive a voucher for one free lawn seat at a 2022 Picnic with the Pops performance. Limit one ticket per person. No cash value.
Dates: December 3-5, 2021
Tickets: starting at $20.50
Location: Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
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 3-12, 2021
Tickets: $28.50-$38.50
Location: Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, OH 43054
TubaChristmas in Delaware (website)
Dates: Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 12 pm
Tickets: Participants welcome to register to play for $10. Free for audience.
Location: Gray Chapel, University Hall, Grace Chapel 61 S. Sandusky St. Delaware, Ohio
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: Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 8 pm
Tickets: $26.50-$56.50
Location: Palace Theatre
An Acoustic Christmas with Over The Rhine (website)
Dates: December 4, 2021 at 8 pm
Tickets: $37
Location: Davidson Theatre; Riffe Center Theatre Complex
Lindsey Stirling – Christmas Program (website)
Dates: December 8, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $48.62-$329
Location: Palace Theatre
Lisa Ferraro: Jazz Up The Holidays concert (website)
Benefiting non-profit SoulCall Global, Jazz Up the Holidays, will be both LIVE and VIRTUAL CONCERT this year
Dates: December 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Tickets: $35
Location: McConnell Arts Center, 77 Evening St Worthington, OH 43085
Dave Koz & Friends 2021 (website)
More than two decades ago, GRAMMY nominee Dave Koz launched his first-ever Christmas tour. Now, fans and families across the country await his arrival with the kind of anticipation formerly reserved for St. Nick himself, earning the saxophonist extraordinaire the nickname “Santa Koz.” Together, Koz and his remarkable guest artists will perform fresh renditions of Christmas classics as well as a Chanukah medley and hits from their respective catalogs.
Dates: Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$80
Location: Palace Theatre
Mad, Mad Men concert Swingin’ Holiday Show (website)
Join Mad, Mad Men Tony Alfano and Mark Frye virtually for a one-night-only performance! The witty banter and classic Rat Pack hits you know and love are back at the MAC, COVID style. 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!
Date: December 9-11, 2021 at 7:30PM
Tickets: $30 per Adult
Location: McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening Street, Worthington, OH 43085
A Christmas Story – The Musical (website)
Presented by Columbus Children’s Theatre
Dates: December 9-23, 2021
Thurs. – Sat. at 7:00 PM
Sat. & Sun. at 2 :00 PM
Additional Performances: Tuesday, Dec. 21st at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, Dec. 22nd at 7:00 PM, and Thursday, Dec. 23rd at 2:00 PM
Tickets: $16.50-$51.50
Location: Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage (website)
The classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation featuring all your favorite characters and classic Vince Guaraldi score. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang as they mount a play, save a tree, and uncover the true meaning of Christmas.
Dates: December 10, 2021 at 7:00pm
Tickets: $60-$30 for adults and $20 for children 18 and under (price shown does not include fees)
Location: The Midland Theatre – 36 North Park Place – Newark, OH 43055
A Magical Cirque Christmas (website)
The world’s greatest entertainers unite for a spell-binding and incredible holiday production – A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS! Experience the enchantment of Christmas as Magical Hostess Lucy Darling takes you through an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family.
Dates: Friday, December 10, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40.75-$72.75
Location: Palace Theatre
BalletMet The Nutcracker (website)
BalletMet The Nutcracker returns to the Ohio Theatre in 2021! This family-friendly performance has become a holiday tradition for all ages. Tickets are limited and will sell out.
Dates: December 10-26, 2021
Tickets: $63.25 to $105.95
Location: Ohio Theatre
PBJ & Jazz: Songs of the Season (website)
Get into the holiday spirit with music featuring songs of the season featuring vocalist Jasmine Spitzer and trumpeter Miles Smith.
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 11, 2021 at 10 am and 11:30 am
Tickets: $5 per person
Location: Lincoln Theatre
Christine’s Christmas (website)
Columbus community will gather together once again for Christine’s Christmas annual concert event in memory of Christine Wilson.
This year’s event promises to be the best yet, with music from accomplished pianist, Dr. Mark King, outstanding local vocalists and musicians, CMC Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, and Capriccio Columbus!
Dates: Saturday, December 11, 2021
Tickets: $52-$102
Location: Palace Theatre
Santa and the Symphony – sensory friendly (website)
These concerts are 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: Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 4 pm
Tickets: $9
Location: Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, OH 43054
Holiday Spectacular New Albany Symphony Orchestra (website)
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: Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 3 pm
Tickets: $18-$26
Location: Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, OH 43054
Merry TubaChristmas (website)
Dates: Monday, December 20, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Tickets: Participants welcome to register to play for $10. Free for audience, but they are collecting canned goods for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Location: Mees Hall at Capital University
Plaid Tidings: Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross (website)
They’re back for another “astro-technical” phenomena ride! The PLAIDS Doo-wop group is brought back from heaven to bring a little harmony into a discordant world, which is the one thing Sparky, Jinx, Smudge and Francis love to do— harmonize! This family-friendly musical is sprinkled with classic favorites like “Mambo Italiano,” and features all your favorite Christmas tunes— Plaidtized! This “heaven-sent” holiday favorite is a heartwarming hit in perfect harmony.
Dates: Dec 20 – 23 and 26 – 29, 2021
Tickets: $37 Adults, $35 Seniors (60 and over), $26 Students with ID, $15 Children (12 and younger)
Location: Weathervane Playhouse, 100 Price Rd, Newark, Ohio 43055
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas (website)
Jim Brickman, the multiple Grammy nominated songwriter and piano sensation is back this festive season with his annual holiday tour “The Gift of Christmas,” a magical evening celebrating music, love and family.
Dates: Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $34-$69
Location: Southern Theatre
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (website)
Dates: Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 3 pm and 8 pm
Tickets: starting at $49
Location: Nationwide Arena, 200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215
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Looking for more Christmas fun? Here’s the day-by-day list of Christmas events in Columbus!
Saturday, November 27, 2021
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Monday, November 29, 2021
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Friday, December 3, 2021
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Monday, December 6, 2021
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Friday, December 10, 2021
Saturday, December 11, 2021
TBA for 2021
A Christmas Carol (website)
The Hilliard Arts Council is once again proud to present the holiday classic A Christmas Carol
Dates: TBA for 2021
Tickets: Please bring one of the following per person attending: A minimum cash donation of $5 (feel free to donate more if the spirit moves you) A new, unwrapped toy or five canned food items
Location: Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center, 5425 Center St, Hilliard, OH 43026
Worthington Community Theatre (website)
Dates: Cancelled for 2021
Tickets: Adults $12, Students and Seniors $10$10 for adults, free for 12 and under
Location: Bronwynn Theatre, McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St, Columbus, OH 43085
Hilliard Arts Council’s Handel’s Messiah (website)
The Hilliard Arts Council is producing its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.
Dates: Cancelled for 2021
Tickets: Free, but a goodwill offering will be collected
Location: St. John Lutheran Church, 6135 Rings Rd., Dublin, OH 43016
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