WILLIAMSBURG — The Kimball Theatre is celebrating its 90th anniversary with its return to the community and a dedication to providing diverse entertainment, carrying on a tradition started back in 1933.

Originally called the Williamsburg Theatre, the Kimball started as a movie theater in the emerging Merchants Square. Built by John D. Rockefeller as an official Radio-Keith-Orpheum facility, along with Radio City Music Hall, it was commonly known as “the little music hall” in contrast to Radio City Music Hall being “the big music hall.”

It wasn’t until 2001 that Bill and Gretchen Kimball funded its restoration, reopening it as the Kimball Theatre. As such, it hosted numerous forms of entertainment until 2017, when it was leased to William & Mary as a venue for its theater department while renovation of the Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall was underway.

Now with that portion of the university’s expanded arts facilities completed and opened, the W&M lease ended. This provided The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation the opportunity to begin renovations (expected to finish next year) while resuming pre-lease CW programming and events.

Among the upcoming offerings are nostalgic looks backward to those who remember early-day screenings of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas.” Programming starts the end of November.

Nov. 25: Known for “signature harmonies and playful melodies,” Bill & the Belles, an Americana string band from Johnson City, Tennessee, performs at 7 p.m. with holiday tunes, old-time country and early rock n’ roll. Tickets are $18.

Nov. 26: Williamsburg-based Broadway Dance Arts puts on “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 5 p.m. Prices from $23 to $25.

Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 24 & 27: The always popular Dean Shostak, a master in playing the glass armonica, glass violin and crystal handbells, offers Crystal Carols. Benjamin Franklin invented the glass armonica in 1761, a popular entertainment in 18th century Williamsburg. Shostak, world-renowned for his bringing the glass armonica back into awareness, has been featured on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “Benjamin Franklin: A Ken Burns Film” and “Great Big Story” on CNN. Times are 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $15.

Nov. 30, Dec. 8 & 21: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the movie, is on tap at 7 p.m. The holiday classic featuring Jimmy Steward and Donna Reed dates back to 1946. The Dec. 21 show also takes place at 3:30 p.m. with on-screen captions. Tickets are $8.

Dec. 1: “A Kilted Christmas with Eireann’s Call” will bring holiday spirit and dancing from Ireland, Scotland, Canada Galicia, Brittany and other locales, offering a different and cheerful Celtic note to the season. Time is 7 p.m. and tickets are $25.

Dec. 2 & 3: The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra offers its Holiday Pops sounds at 2 and 3:30 p.m. Conductor Michael Butterman is host with tenor John Riesen of “America’s Got Talent” as guest artist. These programs are delightful and perfect family entertainment. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children.

Dec. 7 & 22: The screen classic “White Christmas” takes to the Kimball screen. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, it’s a sweet and thoughtful flick that has songs aplenty, among them “Count Your Blessings” and “White Christmas.” Both shows take place at 7 p.m. The Dec. 22 has a 3:30 p.m. showing with on-screen captions. Tickets are $8.

Dec. 9 & 10: Williamsburg’s Institute for Dance takes to the stage Dec. 9 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. Written, choreographed, narrated and performed by iDance, “Christmas Dreams” is a regular on holiday schedules and offers the dream-like adventures of Janie Sparkle and Christmas wishes to come true. Tickets are $25.

Dec. 14-17: “A Crooner’s Christmas” features Good Shot Judy in Christmas songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Midler and more. With an expanded 20-piece ensemble, “Jump Jivin’ Judy’s” and Brett Cahoon’s smooth singing, this is a very cool Yule treat. Shows are Dec. 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 16 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $48.

Dec. 18: Big band-era holiday tunes come with “A Big Band Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Hear classics from the 1940s along with contemporary of today’s famous swing bands performed by the Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra. Expect seasonal renderings from the likes of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Les Brown. Tickets are $22 and $20 for seniors and students.

Dec. 23 & 30: The “Williamsburg Old Time Radio Hour” offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane beginning at 7:30 p.m. With music, sound effects and nostalgic stories of Williamsburg during the colonial restoration and comic commercial announcements, it’s a clever reflection of the golden age of radio. Tickets start at $33.

Dec. 29: “A Hard Day’s Night” comes to the Kimball screen. A 1964 musical comedy film of the “Beatlemania” days, the movie deals with two days-plus in the life of the famous four as they prepare for a television performance, all the while trying to keep tabs on Paul McCartney’s mischievous grandfather. There are two showings, one at 4:30 p.m. with on-screen captions and the other without captions at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8.

Dec. 31: Ringing in the New Year will be the Bobby BlackHat Blues Spectacular, starting at 6:30 p.m. BlackHat, an award-winning recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, comedian, actor and producer, is considered Virginia’s blues authority. His style embraces the likes of Chicago, Memphis, Piedmont and Delta-style blues along with a little Gospel. He’s joined by a vocalist, bass, drummer and guitarist. Also being showcased during the nearly four-hour show will be two guitarist-singer-songwriters; a New Orleans-inspired pianist and gospel singer; and a sibling guitar duo, backed by trumpet and drums. Tickets are $35.

For more detail on each event and ticket specifications, visit colonialwilliamsburg.org/locations/kimball-theatre.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at [email protected].