Holiday Entertainment Across the Carolinas

As the curtain rises on another holiday season, the Carolinas come alive with music, dance, and stories that sparkle brighter than the lights on Main Street. From the twirl of a sugarplum fairy to the laughter of Buddy the Elf, these festive performances invite you to slow down, bundle up, and savor the magic of live theater.

Whether you’re planning a romantic night in Raleigh, a family tradition in Charleston, or a cozy weekend in the mountains, these are the shows that make the holidays in the Carolinas truly shine.

Carolina Ballet – The Nutcracker

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, NC | Dec 11–24

There’s something timeless about The Nutcracker, and nowhere does it shine brighter than in Raleigh. The Carolina Ballet’s elegant production transforms the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium—part of the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts—into a winter dreamscape where toy soldiers march, snowflakes swirl, and Tchaikovsky’s music fills the air.

Opened in 1932, the historic auditorium has hosted everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Yo-Yo Ma. During The Nutcracker, it becomes a wonderland of glittering sets and sumptuous costumes. Don’t miss the North Carolina Symphony’s live accompaniment on Dec 19–21—it’s the kind of touch that turns a magical evening into an unforgettable holiday tradition.

South Carolina Ballet – The Nutcracker

On Tour & Columbia, SC | Nov 22–Dec 21

The South Carolina Ballet takes holiday cheer on the road, bringing its stunning production of The Nutcracker to cities across the state before a grand finale in Columbia. Artistic Director William Starrett’s vision blends classical grace with cinematic storytelling, creating a dazzling performance for all ages.

The tour includes:

• Sumter – Patriot Hall: Nov 22 (3:00 & 7:30 pm)

• Savannah – Johnny Mercer Theatre: Nov 29 (5:30 pm)

• Charleston – Music Hall: Dec 1–3 (7:00 pm)

• Florence – FMU Performing Arts Center: Dec 17 (7:00 pm)

• Columbia – Koger Center for the Arts: Dec 13 (3:00 & 7:30 pm), Dec 14 (3:00 pm), Dec 20 (3:00 & 7:30 pm), Dec 21 (3:00 pm)

The Koger Center for the Arts, completed in 1989, anchors Columbia’s arts district and remains the state’s premier venue for large-scale productions. With its sweeping balconies and impeccable acoustics, it’s the perfect home for Clara’s dream world of dancing snowflakes and magic wands.

Grand Kyiv Ballet – The Snow Queen

Asheville, NC | Nov 12

Before the holidays fully take hold, the Grand Kyiv Ballet arrives in Asheville with The Snow Queen, a breathtaking adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s icy fairytale. Known for its emotional storytelling and exquisite technique, the company delivers a performance that’s both haunting and hopeful.

Presented at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, part of the Asheville Civic Center complex, the show feels right at home in a space that has hosted world-class performers since 1975. The hall’s mountain-town intimacy makes it easy to get swept into the shimmering frost and fairy-tale romance of this one-night-only event.

Elf the Musical

Durham Performing Arts Center, NC | Nov 26–30

The best way to spread Christmas cheer? Singing loud for all to hear! Elf the Musical brings everyone’s favorite oversized elf, Buddy, to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) for a week of laugh-out-loud fun and heartwarming music.

Opened in 2008, DPAC is one of the nation’s most acclaimed theaters, famous for its Broadway-caliber productions and sweeping glass façade overlooking the American Tobacco District. Inside, 2,700 crimson seats invite audiences to join Buddy’s big-hearted journey from the North Pole to New York City. Expect plenty of sparkle, sass, and a finale that’ll leave you humming all the way home.

Dickens Christmas Show & Festival

Myrtle Beach Convention Center, SC | Nov 13–16

Before holiday shopping becomes a chore, make it an experience at the Dickens Christmas Show & Festival, where Myrtle Beach transforms into a scene straight from A Christmas Carol. Carolers in top hats stroll among artisans selling handcrafted gifts, while Father Christmas poses for photos and storytellers transport you to Victorian London.

The Myrtle Beach Convention Center, one of the largest on the East Coast, buzzes with Yuletide cheer during this beloved event—now celebrating over 40 years of tradition. It’s equal parts marketplace, theater, and time machine, all wrapped in twinkling lights and good cheer.

Holiday Highlights

North Carolina Symphony – Holiday Pops
Multiple NC locations | Various dates
From the mountains to the coast, the North Carolina Symphony brings a sleighful of joy to concert halls across the state. Expect classics like Sleigh Ride and White Christmas, plus sing-alongs that make the audience part of the magic.

The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Wilmington, NC | Dec 20
The Wilson Center hosts a nostalgic treat—the full 1992 film on the big screen, accompanied by a live orchestra performing the beloved score. Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo never sounded so good.

A Christmas Carol – Thalian Hall
Wilmington, NC | Dec 1
Built in 1858, Thalian Hall is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the United States. Its ornate balconies and vintage charm make it a perfect setting for Dickens’ timeless story of redemption, generosity, and the Christmas spirit.

Annie – SC Children’s Theatre
Greenville, SC | Dec 5–21
At the newly built South Carolina Children’s Theatre, this classic musical sparkles with heart and humor. The state-of-the-art venue in downtown Greenville offers an intimate, family-friendly atmosphere for this story of hope, found family, and brighter tomorrows.

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Flat Rock, NC | Nov 28–Dec 21
The Flat Rock Playhouse, known as the State Theatre of North Carolina, began as a troupe of summer players in the 1940s and has grown into one of the region’s most beloved cultural landmarks. Its annual Christmas production is a variety-style spectacular with singers, dancers, and stories that blend Appalachian charm with Broadway flair.

Embrace the Magic

The Carolinas know how to celebrate—with heart, history, and a touch of Southern sparkle. Whether you’re taking the kids to their first ballet, revisiting a beloved musical, or wandering through a Victorian marketplace, these performances remind us that the greatest gift of the season is time spent together.

So grab a program, find your seat, and let the lights dim—the holidays in the Carolinas are ready to take the stage.