Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from December 19-25, 2023 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Music, Theatre, Dance, Film, Community, Event Listings.
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McCarter Theatre presents "A Christmas Carol" starring Joel McKinnon Miller. (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, starring veteran stage and screen actor Joel McKinnon Miller (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Love) as Scrooge. For more than four decades, McCarter has welcomed more than a million audience members from across Central New Jersey and beyond to experience Charles Dickens' timeless classic. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on a fantastical journey through Christmases past, present, and future with this family friendly production that runs December 6-24, 2023 in the Matthews Theatre.
New Jersey Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" at MPAC with music by New Jersey Symphony. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- New Jersey Ballet's presentation of the holiday favorite Nutcracker comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for 13 performances beginning Friday, December 15 and running until Wednesday, December 27, 2023. New Jersey Symphony under the direction of Constantine Kitsopoulos will provide live orchestral accompaniment. A livestream of the Thursday, December 21 performance will also be available. Tickets range from $39-$79.
Saturday, December 23, 2023 - Master of Merriment: a Celtic Christmas with the Chivalrous Crickets. (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- The Chivalrous Crickets presents a Celtic Christmas show on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church in West Windsor. Showtime is 7:00pm. The band will lead the audience on a rambling, wassail-filled journey through villages of France, Ireland, England, Scotland, and America while exploring the tunes and traditions of Celtic Yuletide from the quiet first day of Winter to the raucous Twelfth Night!
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Jammin' in the Loft at SOPAC Series Launches with the Lynette Sheard Experience featuring Nat Adderley Jr.. (SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Experience your favorite bands up close and personal in SOPAC's new Jammin' in the Loft series. Curated by Gregory Burrus Productions, this series brings talented local bands taking the local music scene by force to the next level with an intimate and energetic experience in The Loft at SOPAC. The first event in this new series takes place on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 featuring the extraordinary Lynette Sheard in her holiday cabaret, joined by Jacquie Lee on violin, Mike Lee on saxophone, and Nat Adderley, Jr. on keys. Guitarist Warren Battiste is a special guest. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Thursday, December 21, 2023 - Midtown Announces 1st Annual Chrismukkah Spectacular. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Punk veterans Midtown are thrilled to announce their 1st Annual Chrismukkah Spectacular. Featuring special guests Piebald, Houston Calls, and Save Face, the Chrismukkah Spectacular is set to take over The Wellmont Theater (5 Seymour Street) in Montclair on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
Friday, December 22, 2023 - Roy's Hall presents A Very Slambovian Christmas. (BLAIRSTOWN, NJ) -- A Very Slambovian Christmas comes to Roy's Hall on Friday, December 22 at 8:00pm. Also known as The Grand Slambovians, the band pioneered the alt-folk/Americana genre, staying on the fringes of the music industry and under the radar while producing several critically acclaimed studio albums. Drawing on a set list comprised of traditional Christmas songs with a twist, a sprinkling of original holiday tunes, and a generous helping of non-traditional musical fare, it is guaranteed there will be something for everyone.
Saturday, December 23, 2023 - Ocean County Library Waretown Branch to Present Fred Miller's "An American Christmas". (WARETOWN, NJ) -- The Ocean County Library Waretown Branch will present popular Jersey Shore pianist and storyteller Fred Miller's "Lectures in Song: An American Christmas" on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Fred's program projects the spirit of all faiths through the mystery and beauty of ancient carols as well as the sprightly songs of the past century, along with poems, anecdotes, and observations that inspire the anticipation, magic, and reverence of the season. The program begins at noon.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "A Midwinter Night's Dream". (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will conclude their 61st season with a slightly altered version of Shakespeare's most popular comedy A Midwinter Night's Dream. "Re-seasoned" by Bonnie J. Monte and Joseph Discher, with direction by Brian B. Crowe, this production is rife with magical winter wonderment and fun for the whole family. This holiday season do not miss being transported into the dazzling and frosty world of Shakespeare's hilarious romantic comedy that is sure to warm the coldest hearts. This production will run December 6-31, 2023.
Cape May Stage presents "A Tuna Christmas". (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents A Tuna Christmas from November 15 through December 30, 2023. Spend the holidays in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas! With twenty-two different characters, dozens of costume changes, and just two actors, this play is a fun-filled, satirical look inside the workings of a small town at Christmas.
Mile Square Theatre presents "The Christmas Tree Farm". (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents the World Premiere of The Christmas Tree Farm by Adam Szymkowicz from November 30 through December 23, 2023. This is a heartwarming, bittersweet comedy about love and joy. Get a glimpse of your neighbors in a collection of delicious, bite-sized scenes including a breakup, a breakdown, a meet cute, four Santas, high school sweethearts, a film director and a group of carolers - all taking place at a Christmas Tree Farm! The production is directed by Rachel Dart.
First Avenue Playhouse presents "A Christmas Chaos". (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents A Christmas Chaos by Michael Wehrli in December. When the Royal Shakespeare Company doesn’t show up to perform their stirring rendition of a Christmas Carol it’s up to this intrepid band of hapless actors and technicians to put together their own production in less than seven hours.
'Twas the Night Before...' by Cirque Du Soleil comes to Chicago and NY. (NEW YORK, NY) -- Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) announced that the acclaimed family holiday theatrical – 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil – is returning to both The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre this holiday season. The holiday themed show will run concurrently at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre for 28 performances each from December 7 through December 28.
Dover Little Theatre Presents "Kinky Boots". (DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning hit, Kinky Boots, weekends from December 8-30, 2023. This high-energy and heartwarming show is set to captivate audiences with its dazzling performances, fun music, and powerful messages of acceptance and self-discovery. The production is directed by Ruthanne and Larry Pelham.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - 3rd Annual "A Very Lambertville Holiday Celebration" featuring Roxey Ballet with Live Music. (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Roxey Ballet and the Lambertville Historical Society will present the 3rd annual "A Very Lambertville Holiday Celebration" at Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville, NJ, on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 7:00pm. This artistic collaboration features holiday song selections and live performances from local artists and bands with joyful dance choreography performed by Roxey Ballet Company dancers and Mill Ballet School Trainees.
Saturday, December 23, 2023 - NJPAC To Host Forces of Nature Dance Theatre in Celebration of Kwanzaa. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is celebrating the Kwanzaa holiday this year with an African dance performance starring the acclaimed New York-based troupe Forces of Nature Dance Theatre on Saturday, Dec 23 at 3 p.m. in the Victoria Theater on the Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage.
Saturday, December 23, 2023 - Tony Nominee Jennifer Weber shares The Hip Hop Nutcracker's Famous Fan. The Hip Hop Nutcracker translates Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet music into an incredible holiday story told through hip hop dance. Director and Choreographer Jennifer Weber—who is also the Tony-nominated choreographer behind Broadway’s & Juliet and KPOP—brought the idea to life 10 years ago in partnership with NJPAC. Now, a decade of touring and two films later, The Hip Hop Nutcracker has become a tradition of its own and returns to NJPAC on December 23rd.
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - Cape May Stage to Screen "Holiday Inn" on Tuesday. (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage invites the community to attend a free showing of the classic musical comedy Holiday Inn on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. This 1942 Oscar-winning film, directed by Irving Berlin and starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds, is a Christmas treasure that shows a simpler time in history in a warm and endearing light. The screening begins at 6:00pm.
Thursday, December 21, 2023 - Black Box Studios and Liberty Arts Theatre present Open Mic Night at Debonair Music Hall. (TEANECK, NJ) -- Black Box Studios and Liberty Arts presents a monthly Open Mic Night for music, comedy, and more on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Debonair Music Hall (1409 Queen Anne Road between Walraven and State Street in Teaneck, NJ). Doors open at 7:00pm; the event begins at 7:30pm.
Tuesday, December 19 @ 7:30pm - Holiday Express at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Wednesday, December 20
7:00pm - New SOPAC Series: Jammin' in the Loft w the Lynette Sheard Experience f. Nat Adderley Jr, Mike Lee, Jacquie Lee at The Loft @ South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079
7:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, December 21
7:30pm - New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
7:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
8:00pm - Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: Life In The Past Lane at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
8:00pm - Sam MacPherson at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Friday, December 22
7:30pm - New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
7:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
7:30pm - So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Saturday, December 23
1:00pm - New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
6:00pm - New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
7:00pm - The Sensational Soul Cruisers at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
7:00pm - Master of Merriment: a Celtic Christmas with the Chivalrous Crickets at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, 154 S Mill Rd, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Sunday, December 24
12:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
1:00pm - New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
4:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
