The temperatures outside may be turning chilly, but indoors the theatre season is just heating up! Fall and winter are the perfect times to plan an outing to the theatre, and between the Main Line and Philadelphia, you can find outstanding performances for every age. The 2024 holiday season is packed with faves from Elf The Broadway Musical and Peter Pan to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz, and more! So sit back and enjoy some rousing entertainment this season at one of these area productions.

Elf The Broadway Musical

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
November 19–December 29, 2024

Experience the charm and humor of Elf The Broadway Musical at Philadelphia’s historic Walnut Street Theatre this holiday season! Based on the 2003 movie, Elf, this musical adaptation is the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Buddy is unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, he then embarks on a journey to New York City with dreams to find his birth father and discover his true identity. What’s an adopted elf to do when he realizes his father is on Santa’s ‘naughty’ list and his half-brother doesn’t believe that there is a Santa Claus? It’s up to Buddy to save Christmas in this hilarious and charming Broadway musical!

Peter Panto: A Musical Panto

People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern
November 20–January 5, 2025

Get ready for a new holiday panto, a fantastical, family-friendly flight of fancy, onstage at People’s Light. The creative team behind Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto invites you to explore the whimsical world of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook! People’s Light continues its winter holiday tradition with a cast of Lost Boys, pirates, fairies, and a trio of card-playing dogs. Meanwhile, a TikTok-famous croc is on the loose, hunting down dance moves, followers, and Captain Hook’s right hand. Cheer the heroes, boo the villains, clap, and sing while eating all the Swedish Fish you can catch. Join Wendy, Michael, and John in this “Darling” trip to Neverland for ages 5–105.

Peter Pan

Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia
November 27, 2024–January 25, 2025

Arden Children’s Theatre presents a brand-new production that celebrates the joy of storytelling and the power of imagination! Join Peter Pan on an adventure to Neverland, a magical island where there are no parents, no chores, and fairies and pirates rule! Introduce your children and grandchildren to the characters you love from J.M. Barrie’s timeless masterpiece: Wendy Darling, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, a horde of Lost Boys, and one very hungry crocodile. With fairy dust and your child’s imagination, the Arden flies to Neverland this holiday and winter season! 

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

The Philadelphia Ballet, Academy of Music, 240 S Broad Street, Philadelphia
December 6–29, 2024

Treat your family to the memorable experience of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, a must-see holiday classic! The holiday season comes to the stage in the Philadelphia Ballet’s annual performance, a tradition unlike any other. Cross swords with the Mouse King and dine with the Sugarplum Fairy in this quintessential celebration of the season, all set to the beautiful, eternal Tchaikovsky score. Recommended for ages 4 and older. Runtime is one hour and 56 minutes, includes a 20-minute intermission

Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
December 6–21, 2024

This holiday season, the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids presents a special hour-long musical adaptation for kids that uses traditional songs to highlight Dickens’ magical story. Enjoy this classic holiday treat when Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who show him the past, present—and possible future — on one remarkable Christmas Eve.

Winter Wonderland

The Media Theatre, 104 East State Street, Media
December 6–29, 2024

The holiday season comes to life on The Media Theatre stage! This music-revue style production features all of your favorite wintery classic songs, in addition to some of the finest singers and dancers to bring it to life. After opening a holiday storybook, join their favorite seasonal characters on a truly one-of-a-kind theatrical journey. There’s a chill in the air, chestnuts are roasting, and scents of hot chocolate and cinnamon swirl about. Experience the magic of the music in Media, and fill your heart with holiday cheer! Appropriate for all ages.

Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition

The Media Theater, 104 East State Street, Media
December 13–29, 2024

The Media Theater Youth Ensemble brings this classic story to the stage this holiday season. Follow Dorothy and Toto as they are transported to the magical Land of Oz. Then travel down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz, while learning wonderful lessons along the way!

The Owl and The Pussycat, and Other Nonsense

Quintessence Theatre Group, 7137 Germantown Avenue, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia
December 15–29, 2024

You are warmly invited to the wedding of the owl and the pussycat, as they dance under the light of the moon and eat from a runcible spoon. Then wander with the table and chair as they stroll into town, meet the four little children who bought a green-spotted boat to travel the world, and much more. Through the poetry and imagination of Edward Lear, the Quintessence Theatre Group takes you on a world-wide voyage, complete with anthropomorphic animals, fantastic creatures, and whimsical limericks for some unforgettable holiday nonsense. Perfect for ages 4+ (and adults!!).

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
December 26, 2024–January 4, 2025

Mickey and his pals are rocking the DJ table at Disney On Ice and you’re on the guest list! Feel the electric atmosphere as they remix favorite Disney tunes into colorful worlds. Wish upon a star with Asha as she and Valentino save the Kingdom of Rosas from King Magnifico. Roar with delight as Simba, Timon and Pumbaa step into the spotlight. Groove to ocean beats with Ariel and friends, harmonize with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf, and sway to the rhythm of the waves with Moana and Maui. And the party really goes off the charts when guest DJ Stitch takes control. Get ready to turn up the fun at Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance!

With a diverse range of shows to choose from, there’s no better time to plan an outing at the theatre with your loved ones. So grab your tickets, settle into your seat, and get ready to be swept away by the magic of live performance this season.

Earlier This Season…

A Christmas Story, The Musical

The Springer Studio, 751 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville
December 13–15, 2024

Catch the musical production of this beloved holiday story at the Springer Studio Youth Theater, which features young actors in grades 5th–12th. This small, privately owned theatre company particularly focuses on musical theater training and education for youth ages 4–18 years. The professional teachers strive to provide the highest quality of programming for children in Chester County.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Footlighters Theater, 58 Main Avenue, Berwyn
December 6–15, 2024

Footlighters Theater is a non-profit theater that has provided quality, affordable family and adult entertainment to the Main Line for over 90 years! This holiday season, the theatre is featuring The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, adapted from Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s book. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids — certainly some of the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem — and the fun — when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas!

She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition

Wolf Performing Arts Center, 1240 Montrose Avenue, Bryn Mawr
December 4–7, 2024

High-schooler Agnes Evans is mourning the loss of her sister when she stumbles upon Tilly’s old Dungeons & Dragons notebook. Consequently she gets catapulted into a fantastical world that was her sister’s refuge. As she dives deeper into the game, she learns about who her sister really was and feels more connected to her than ever before. This play features local youth actors in grades 7–12.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater), 250 S Broad Street, Philadelphia
November 26–December 1, 2024

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is the record-setting Broadway holiday sensation, which features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch,” as well as “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated special. In this production, Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and helps remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. Recommended for ages 5 and older.  

Wild Things

Wolf Performing Arts Center, 1240 Montrose Avenue, Bryn Mawr
November 16 & 17, 2024

In this adaptation of the classic book, Where the Wild Things Are, young actors immerse themselves in a land where imagination is king! Max, the story’s protagonist, soon finds that being king is not easy and that even while living amongst the Wild Things, he feels something is missing. Join all these fantastic larger-than-life creatures in their wild rumpus as they sing and dance in the wild before making their way back home! Performed by 1st and 2nd grade actors.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Salt Performing Arts Center, 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
November 15–December 15, 2024

Join SALT Performing Arts (SPA) this holiday season for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, a “tale as old as time”! The enchantment never ends in this unique and magical take on the classic tale, surely a wonderful family experience to complete your holiday season! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs and characters you’ve grown to know and love.

Theatre School Presents Lion King KIDS

Hedgerow Theatre Company, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media
November 2–9, 2024

The Hedgerow Theatre School students bring the savanna to life on stage with their production of Lion King KIDS! Join Simba, Rafiki, and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle, and then back again in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale. These performances of Lion King KIDS are the culminating performance of a Musical Theatre Class for Thriving Thespians in grades 3–8.

Hamilton

Academy of Music, 240 S Broad Street, Philadelphia
October 29 through November 23, 2024

Hamilton, the Broadway musical blockbuster by Lin Manual-Miranda is once again, back in Philadelphia. Although ticket availability maybe spotty at this point, it’s sure to be a memorable show even in the nosebleed balcony seats! Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would eventually, shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. 

Lead photo from Elf The Broadway Musical, courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.

Find fun things to do with your family every day of the week on the Main Line Parent curated event calendar!