The Best Holiday Shows in Tampa Bay to See With the Kids
The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra are among the holiday shows in Tampa Bay that have become a tradition for local families. These beloved holiday performances are back on stage in 2023 along with many more Christmas shows you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to explore our list of Best Christmas Events in Tampa Bay and Where to Take Pictures with Santa!
Ok–now let’s dive into some of our favorite holiday shows to help you plan out your December to remember!
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The Best Christmas Shows in Tampa Bay
(Listed in order of date of appearance.)
Unwrap the Magic of the Holidays at the Zubrick Magic Theatre in St. Pete
- Dates: November 17, 2023-December 31, 2023, select nights
- Location: 1211 First Ave North, Suite 101 in St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $44
If you’re seeking to make this holiday season truly enchanting, there’s one essential experience you can’t miss in Tampa Bay: the Zubrick Magic Theatre. From November 17th to New Year’s Day, prepare to be captivated by the exceptional illusionists Chris & Ryan Zubrick as they unveil never-before-seen Christmas-themed magic sprinkled throughout their performance. Additionally, consider sharing the magic with your loved ones by gifting them special Zubrick Magic Theatre gift certificates, just in time for the festive season. Why settle for a gift they might like when you can offer them an experience you’re certain they’ll adore?
Holiday Classics at the Tampa Theatre in Downtown Tampa
- Dates: Select nights through January 7, 2024
- Location: 711 N. Franklin Street, Tampa
- Tickets: Tickets start at $10 for non-members
Holiday Classics are returning to the silver screen at the historic and beautiful Tampa Theatre with screenings of Mircale on 34th Street, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Grinch, and more! There will be a Christmas Carol sing-a-long before select shows too.
St. Petersburg City Theater presents A Christmas Carol in St. Pete
- Dates: December 8-17, 2023
- Location: St. Petersburg City Theatre’s MainStage, 4025 31st Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Children 10 and younger are $10, Students are $15 and adult tickets are $23
In one night, Ebenezer Scrooge sees his past, present & future come to haunt him & discovers the true meaning of Christmas. A host of beloved characters come to life on stage in this spectacular annual production.
The Florida Orchestra Holiday Pops
- December 15: The Straz Center in Tampa a 8 pm
- December 16: Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete at 2 pm and 8 pm
- December 17: Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
- Tickets: Kids 5-18 can get tickets for $20
The Florida Orchestra will make its rounds in Tampa Bay to perform holiday classics at The Staz in Tampa, Mahaffey in St. Pete, and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. There are two matinee shows on schedule for kiddos who can’t stay up late.
The Nutcracker at USF College of the Arts Theater in Tampa
- Dates: December 15-17, 2023
- Location: USF College of Arts Theater
- Tickets: Tickets start at $34
The Dance Theatre of Tampa will perform ‘The Nutcracker’ for its 24th season at the USF College of the Arts Theater 1. They’ll feature guests and local dancers.
A Very Broadway Christmas in St. Pete
- Dates: December 15, 2023, at 4 pm and 8 pm
- Location: The Mahaffey Theatre, 400 First Street S, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $56
Broadway on the Bay’s A Very Broadway Christmas is an enchanting holiday experience featuring musical numbers from some of your favorite Broadway Christmas shows as well as some holiday classics. Come spend an evening at the Mahaffey Theater with multiple Broadway stars representing over 25 Broadway shows. Get to know each performer, as they sing a tune and share their Broadway Christmas memories. Meet Santa with a special photo-op experience. Join us for an evening filled with singing, dancing, and holiday cheer!
St. Pete Opera: Holiday Sparkle
- Dates: December 16 & December 17 at 7:30 pm
- Location: The Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
- Tickets: $20 to $75
A festive musical show in the tradition of the grand pop, St. Pete Opera’s Holiday Sparkle has something to offer everyone. Holiday Sparkle features a 32-piece orchestra, 15 singers, and three dancers. You’ll hear all your favorites including selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”, ”Sleigh Ride”, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” and MORE!
The Illusionsists – Magic of the Holidays in St. Pete
- Dates: December 17, 2023, at 6 pm
- Location: The Mahaffey Theatre, 400 First Street S, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $38
Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays, a mind-blowing showcase featuring jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
A Christmas with Soul with Ericka Dunlap in St. Pete
- Date: December 20, 2023, at 7 pm
- Location: The Mahaffey Theatre, 400 First Street S, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $38.50
A Christmas with Soul is a holiday experience that you won’t want to miss! This spectacular dinner show is curated and produced by Florida’s own, Forever Miss America, Ericka Dunlap who last graced the Mahaffey Stage 20 years ago during her historic win as Miss Florida.
A Christmas with Soul is more than a concert, it’s a musical extravaganza complete with exquisite costumes, phenomenal choreography, and masterfully soulful renditions of Holiday Classics of Christmas’ past. Bring your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors for an evening of Motown merriment, R&B power vocals, and a live 10-piece band.
The Nutcracker at The Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa
- Dates: December 21-23, 2023
- Location: The Straz, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa
- Tickets: Tickets start at $20.50
The Next Generation Ballet is back on stage at The Straz this December to perform the beloved ‘The Nutcracker’. Young dancers from Tampa Bay will be joined by dancers from dance companies across the country to put on this unforgettable performance. Read our INSIDE LOOK about what it takes to produce the Nutcracker at The Straz.
Rockapella Christmas in Clearwater
- Date: December 22, 2023, 8 pm
- Location: Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleaveland Street, Clearwater
- Tickets: Tickets start at $30
Rockapella brings its exciting, internationally acclaimed, acappella sound back to the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre with a night of holiday classics! For their new Christmas show, the a capella superstars will perform holiday classics like “Silver Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and “White Christmas” with their original holiday hits “The Hope We Hold,” “Christmas Without You,” and more.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland in Clearwater
- Date: December 22, 2023 at 7 pm
- Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater
- Tickets: Tickets start at $35
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland, the must-see holiday event, comes to Ruth Eckerd Hall! “Wonderland” is an all-new musical journey that will transport audiences to a magical land far away for a fun-filled, unforgettable holiday-themed show experience. Featuring the talented cast of Cirque Musica, spectators will be dazzled by the acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks, and holiday cheer.
Trans-Siberia Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Past in Tampa
- Date: December 23, 2023 at 2:30, 5:30, and 7:30 pm
- Location: Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
- Tickets: Tickets start at $59.75
The Trans-Siberia Orchestra is back at Amalie Arena in Tampa, celebrating 25 years of its multi-sensory show, Christmas Eve and Other Stories.
The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete
- Dates: December 30, 2023
- Location: The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $37
The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete is welcoming the 31st Anniversary celebration of the Nutcracker with three performances on December 20: 12 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm. The live show features stars of the Ukraine ballet.
Events that have already happened. Stay tuned for 2024!
Mannheim Steamroller in Clearwater
- Date: November 16, 2023
- Location: The Sound at Coachman Park, 255 Drew Street Clearwater
- Tickets: Tickets start at $35
Enjoy the ambiance of The Sound, an all-new outdoor venue at the new Coachman Park in Clearwater. Mannheim Steamroller will fill the air with their beloved holiday music including classic carols and original songs. Experience the reason why this group has sold more than 41 million albums.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze in St. Pete
- Date: November 21, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $33
Bring in the holiday season with a bang! With colorful new acts, cool holiday scenes, unique performances, and special appearances from Santa himself this is a holiday extravaganza you won’t want to miss!
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show in Tampa
- Date: November 30-December 3, 2023
- Location: TECO Theatre at The Straz, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa
- Tickets: Tickets start at $24.25
Just in time for the Holiday season, Patel Conservatory is delighted to bring “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the cozy TECO Theater. Reimagined for the stage as a live radio broadcast, this unique adaptation will be sure to warm hearts as it reconnects audiences with its universal tale of love and redemption.
Holiday Traditions Around the World at The Straz in Tampa
- Date: December 1, 2023 at 10:30 am
- Location: The Straz, Ferguson Hall, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa
- Tickets: Tickets start at $7.50
Sing and clap along with this fast-paced, rollicking musical as it takes the audience on a joyous world tour to experience dances, songs, and stories from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and many more. Discover the traditions, folklore, and customs that make up holiday celebrations around the globe. The show is part of the Straz Center’s Field Trip Series and is recommended for grades K-3
The Nutcracker at Palladium Theater in St. Pete
- Date: December 1-3, 2023
- Location: Palladium Theatre, 253 5th Avenue N, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $20
The St Petersburg Ballet Company will perform The Nutcracker at the Palladium Theater in St. Pete. Tickets start at $20 and $15 each for group tickets of 10 or more. academyofballetarts.com
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas in St. Pete
- Dates: December 2, 2023, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
- Location; The Mahaffey Theater, 400 First Street South, St. Pete
- Tickets: Tickets start at $23
The Florida Orchestra will perform live along with a screening of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the film starring Jim Carey).