
The Nutcracker: (through Dec. 30)
The Washington Ballet performs Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre. This celebrated production is set in historic 1882 Georgetown with George Washington, King George III, and other historical figures. The show transports audiences of all ages into a winter wonderland that has become a lasting holiday tradition not to be missed.

A Magical Cirque Christmas (Dec. 16 to 18)
A Magical Cirque Christmas is a spellbinding and incredible holiday production with dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Hosted by the National Theatre, the show is a combination of acrobatics, music, magic, and comedy that is great for all audiences aged four and up.

A Christmas Carol (through Dec. 31)
At historic Ford’s Theatre, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption in a music-inflused production of Dickens’ yuletide classic A Christmas Carol. The Washington Post called the production “infectiously jolly.”

Magical Musical Holiday Step Show (through Dec. 18)
As the world’s first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping, Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage is a feast for the eyes and ears. Fabulous and furry friends from the Arctic Kingdom — Popper the Penguin and Polo the Polar Bear — along with DJ Nutcracker ensure a fun and exciting experience for the entire family.

Hip Hop Nutcracker (Dec. 19 to 22)
Set in modern day New York City. The Hip Hop Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky’s classic score punched up by all-star contemporary and hip-hop dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set. This holiday mash-up is back by popular demand and celebrating its 10th anniversary season at the Strathmore.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Dec. 15 to 18)
Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show Cirque Dreams Holidaze will thrill audiences at The Theater at MGM National Harbor. The show celebrates the magic of the holiday season through a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. Broadway World exclaims, “Lose yourself for 90 minutes and go back to those wonderful dreams you had as a kid.”