Take a break from holiday stress and scheduling and stop and smell the holly.
The next several weeks will be filled with opportunities to enjoy the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice season by getting out and taking in a holiday-themed show. While new productions come through town as touring shows each year, there are many longstanding favorites that families take in as part of their early traditions.
One of those is “The Nutcracker,” which is performed by dance companies big and small, location and international.
In Macomb, the Macomb Ballet Company is performing the Tchaikovsky classic next month for the 23rd time as part of the company’s 43rd season. Artistic director Amber Michalik said they strive to keep things interesting year after year, because a lot of the audience are returning as part of their holiday routine.
“Every year we make pretty significant changes to the show to try to keep it new and exciting, but still maintain the tradition of ‘The Nutcracker,’” she said, adding that the show, Dec. 6-8 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, features 100 dancers ranging from 8 years old to adult.
“I think what’s the most exciting about ‘The Nutcracker’ is that it’s family friendly. Kids don’t get bored. We move quickly from one scene to the next and there’s so much color,” she said, adding that in addition to vibrant sets there are also high-energy dancers and comedic moments.
While the show is designed to capture the attention of all ages, including toddlers, the Macomb Ballet Company also hosts Nutcracker Tea on Dec. 7 for little ones to meet the characters, do crafts and hear stories in a room that’s decorated like the Land of Sweets.
The holiday season is a great time to support the arts and many local theater companies, dance groups and symphonies rely on this time of year to keep them funded for the rest of the calendar.
“It’s very important for the success and longevity of our company to reach our goal and our mission statement to bring art to the community,” Michalik said. “We have more than one ballet each year, but this is our bread and butter.”
Read on for our list of 50 shows, productions, concerts and light attractions happening now through the end of the year.
Holiday theater events
“A Christmas Carol,” Meadow Brook Theatre, Nov. 22-Dec. 22
“The Nutcracker” with State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Nov. 23
“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Fox Theatre, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24
The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show, Masonic Cathedral Theatre, 7 p.m. Nov. 25
Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” Fox Theatre, 9 shows Nov. 27-Dec. 1
“The Nutcracker” with Plymouth-Canton Ballet Company, Plymouth Salem High School Auditorium, Dec. 3-4
More:Ballet company pirouettes from theft: ‘Nutcracker’ will go on
“The Christmas Collection,” an original holiday sketch show, Planet Ant Theatre, Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 20-21
“The Nutcracker” with Macomb Ballet Company, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 6-8
“Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet,” Fox Theatre, Dec. 8
“The Nutcracker” with Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, three shows Dec. 7-8
“Christmas in the Air” Broadway-style revue, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 14
“’Twas the Night Before …” by Cirque du Soleil, Fox Theatre, 20 shows Dec. 20-31
“Holiday Detroit” featuring Voyageur College Prep Dance Department, Music Hall, Dec. 19
“Snow Queen” with Grand Kyiv Ballet, Music Hall, Dec. 26
Classical music Christmas
Twelfth Night Singers “Comfort and Joy,” Zion Lutheran Church in Ferndale, Nov. 24
Vienna Boys Choir “Christmas in Vienna,” Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Nov. 24
Dearborn Symphony “A Heartwarming Holiday,” Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Nov. 24
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, sensory friendly holiday concert, Community House in Birmingham, Dec. 4
Detroit Symphony Orchestra “Ellington & the Nutcracker,” Orchestra Hall, Dec. 6-8
“A Charlie Brown Christmas: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends,” Orchestra Hall, Dec. 6
Handel’s “Messiah” with Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the UMS Choral Union, Hill Auditorium, Dec. 7-8
Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus Holiday Concert, Tecumseh Center for the Arts, Dec. 8
Michigan Philharmonic “Holiday Pops,” First United Methodist Church, Dec. 12-13
Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis, Fox Theatre, Dec. 13
Detroit Symphony Orchestra “Home for the Holidays,” Orchestra Hall, Dec. 13-15
Holiday Choral Festival, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Dec. 14
Macomb Symphony Orchestra “Back to the Holiday Movies,” Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 15
Detroit Symphony Orchestra “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” Orchestra Hall, Dec. 20-21
“Prism: Holiday Hits Then & Now,” Macomb Center, Dec. 21
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra “Holiday Pops 2024,” Hill Auditorium, Dec. 21
Detroit Concert Choir “Home for Christmas,” Macomb Center, Dec. 22
Motor City Brass Band “Sounds of the Season,” Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Dec. 22
Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Lost Christmas,” Little Caesars Arena, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28
More Christmas concerts
Holiday Cabaret, Detroit Public Theatre, Nov. 29-Dec. 22
Gregory Porter Holiday Tour, Detroit Opera House, Dec. 12
Creepy Cheapy with a Holiday Twist, live costumed bands and holiday hijinks, the Crofoot Complex, Dec. 13
Amadeus Christmas Concert, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 14
David Koz and Friends Christmas Tour, Music Hall, Dec. 15
Rocky Mountain High Experience John Denver Christmas, Music Hall, Dec. 18
Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday featuring the McLendon Family, Fisher Theatre, Dec. 19
Magical Motown Christmas, Music Hall, Dec. 20
Last Christmas Vietnamese Show, Music Hall, Dec. 21
Leslie Odom, Jr., Orchestra Hall, Dec. 22
A Motown Christmas, Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Dec. 21
Festive light attractions
Wayne County Light Fest, five-mile stretch of more than 100,000 lights, Hines Park in Westland, open through Dec. 24
Wild Lights, animal-themed light sculptures and more than 500 immersive displays, Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, open Nov. 23-25, 29-30, Dec. 1, 6-8, 12-23, 26-31 and Jan. 2-5
Magic of Lights, drive-thru attraction with more than 2 million lights, Pine Knob Music Theatre parking lot in Clarkston, open Nov. 22-Dec. 30
Big Bright Light Show, downtown light display with more than 1 million lights, Downtown Rochester, Nov. 25-Jan. 19
Winter Wonder Lights, dazzling outdoor event, Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, open Nov. 29-Dec. 30
Aurora, one-mile walk through illuminated, interactive forest, Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township, open now through Dec. 29. Santa visits Dec. 13-15.
