From Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Bricktown Caroling Cruises, 25+ Oklahoma Christmas shows
Oklahoma singer-songwriters, favorite touring acts, local theater and dance companies are all bringing the sights and sounds of the holiday season to stages across the Sooner State.
From the beloved ballet "The Nutcracker" and the Dickensian drama of "A Christmas Carol" to popular seasonal concert tours like Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra , Oklahoma boasts more festive choices for live yuletide entertainment than Santa Claus himself could carry.
It's impossible to list them all, but here's a selection of the live holiday shows you can catch in the Sooner State this season:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Tulsa
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 6.
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Where:BOK Center, 200 S Denver, Tulsa.
The rocking holiday favorite returns to the Sooner State on its 2024 winter tour , which marks the return of "The Lost Christmas Eve" to the stage for the first time since 2013.
'A Very Merry Pops' with Tony DeSare and Ashley Brown, OKC
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 7.
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Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
After celebrating the 2023 holiday season with a new yuletide extravaganza featuring OKC native and contemporary Christian star Sandi Patty and gospel sextet Take 6, the OKC Philharmonic is bringing back "A Very Merry Pops" this year. Jazz and soul singer, pianist and songwriter Tony DeSare and Broadway performer Ashley Brown are invited to make merry with the orchestra this time.
Christmas Vespers, OKC
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 4 p.m. Dec. 7.
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Where:First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25.
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Tickets: https://oklahomacity.csstix.com .
More than 250 choral singers and orchestral musicians will join forces for OCU's 45th annual celebratory concert, including scripture, poetry, congregational singing of cherished carols and a candlelit finale.
Star Dance Company Holiday Spectacular, OKC
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 6, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
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Where:Oklahoma City University's Kirkpatrick Theatre, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave.
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Tickets: https://oklahomacity.csstix.com .
More than 120 performers from OCU's Ann Lacy School of American Dance will put on a high-energy holiday celebration.
UCO's 'Irving Berlin's White Christmas,' Edmond
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When:7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 5 p.m. Dec. 8.
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Where:UCO Jazz Lab, 100 E 5, Edmond.
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Tickets: https://www.ucojazzlab.com/events .
The University of Central Oklahoma's Broadway Tonight presents the musical that boasts the same story as the 1954 movie, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year .
Canterbury Youth Voices Holiday Concert, OKC
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 7.
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Where:Oklahoma City Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S May Ave.
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Tickets: tickets.occc.edu .
The four choirs of Canterbury Voices' education program will perform a yuletide show.
'Edmond's Nutcracker,' Midwest City
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When:2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
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Where:Rose State Performing Arts Center, 6000 S Prosper Blvd., Midwest City.
After the success of last year's inaugural production, Oklahoma Youth Arts Foundation, Oklahoma Dance Center and Oklahoma Youth Ballet are presenting the second annual "Edmond's Nutcracker." But the OKC metro area's newest iteration of "The Nutcracker" landed a new home at Rose State Performing Arts Center in Midwest City.
Artistic director Joshua Brooksher is staging a classical version of the yuletide coming-of-age fantasy, but all the dancers are children and youths. The character roles are filled with volunteers, including theater students and dancers' parents.
Central Oklahoma Ballet Company's 'The Nutcracker,' Yukon
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
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Where:Yukon Fine Arts Center, 850 Yukon Ave., Yukon.
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Tickets: www.centralokballet.org .
Accompanied by Oklahoma Community Orchestra, the Central Oklahoma Ballet Company annually follows "The Nutcracker" heroine Clara on her enchanted journey to the Land of the Sweets with its production of the traditional Christmas classic.
Accompanied by the Oklahoma Community Orchestra , the Yukon production features professional guest artists and local performers.
Canterbury Voices' 'Sing We Now of Christmas,' OKC
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 8.
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Where:Civic Center, 201 N Walker, downtown OKC.
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Tickets: https://canterburyokc.com/christmas .
Canterbury Voices is performing an eclectic program of holiday music, including the "Oratorio de Noël" by Camille Saint-Saëns and Gustav Holst's "Christmas Day," traditional standards like "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night" and newer works by Dan Forrest, Shawn Kirchner and Michael John Trotta, accompanied by the Canterbury Youth Voices Chorale and members of the OKC Philharmonic.
'Little Women: A Holiday Experience,' OKC
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When:Through Dec. 8.
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Where:Harn Homestead, 1721 N Lincoln Blvd., OKC.
After hosting Lyric Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" for three years, Harn Homestead is hosting for the second season an immersive outdoor traveling production of Louisa May Alcott's beloved 1868 novel, adapted by Storyteller Theatre Arts Co.
Deck the Hall with Red Steagall, OKC
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When:4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8
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Where:National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.
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Tickets: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org .
The Western music legend and the Boys in the Bunkhouse will perform at a dinner event brimming with cowboy-style Christmas cheer.
'An Actor's Carol,' OKC
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When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11.
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Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's indoor black box theater, 2920 Paseo, OKC.
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Tickets and information: https://www.okshakes.org .
Actor David Weber performs a one-man version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling by incorporating elements of vaudeville, clown and mime.
'The Game's Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays,' OKC
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When:Through Dec. 15.
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Where:Carpenter Square Theatre, 1009 W Reno, OKC.
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Information: https://www.carpentersquare.com .
Carpenter Square Theatre is revisiting Ken Ludwig's holiday whodunit, which the OKC theater previously staged in 2014. The 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award winner, the play is set during Christmas 1936 in the isolated Connecticut home of a Broadway actor renowned for playing Sherlock Holmes. When his life is threatened and one of his guests is stabbed, the festivities turn deadly in this madcap show.
The Imaginaries' 'Finally Home for the Holidays,' OKC
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 13.
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Where:Beam Live, 1900 NW Expressway, OKC.
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Tickets: https://www.beamlive.club .
The Oklahoma husband-and-wife folk-rock duo consisting of Maggie McClure and Shane Henry will play a yuletide show, with special guest Gracie Sparks.
Hanson's Christmas Ball, Tulsa
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 13-14.
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Where:Cain's Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
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Tickets: www.cainsballroom.com .
The Grammy-nominated Tulsa-based sibling trio plays a two-night hometown Christmas event.
'RACE's Hip Hop Nutcracker,' OKC
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When:7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15.
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Spanish-language performance:2 p.m. Dec. 14.
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Where:OCCC's Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S May Ave., OKC.
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Tickets: https://www.racedance.com .
For the 12th year, RACE Dance Collective — a professional OKC hip-hop, contemporary and jazz dance company — is bringing back its original reimagining of the seasonal favorite. "RACE's Hip Hop Nutcracker" follows Carlos, the teenage son of a single mother, as he imagines what it would be like to have a father and embarks on a journey of self-discovery featuring magic dolls, battling robots and Snowfly fairies.
Each year, RACE Dance members spend weeks working with local public school students who then perform in the yuletide production. This year, teens from at least four Oklahoma City Public Schools are performing in "RACE's Hip Hop Nutcracker," and all of them will receive new shoes to wear in the show and then keep through RACE's Giving Soles program . This year's production will add a live DJ, with Tony Tee, aka DJ Nymasis, taking on that role.
Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas Ball, Enid
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When:7:30 p.m. Dec. 14.
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Where:Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 111 W Purdue, Enid.
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Tickets: https://www.chisholmtrailexpo.com .
Formerly a longtime tradition at OKC's National Cowboy Museum, the Grammy-nominated Texas native will bring his long-running Western holiday tradition back to Oklahoma, with Sooner State fiddler Kyle Dillingham as guest artist.
OKC Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'
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When:Dec. 14-23.
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Sensory-friendly performance:7 p.m. Dec. 18.
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Nutcracker Tea:4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21.
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Where:Civic Center, 201 N Walker, downtown OKC.
Over the past two years, Jolicoeur-Nye has tweaked OKC Ballet's decade-year-old production of the holiday staple , but this year, the nonprofit arts organization has given its "Nutcracker" a total makeover.
Presented by Devon Energy, the new production includes 195 new costumes devised by renowned designer Holly Hynes . The new sets were designed by Michael Raiford and the lighting by Trad Burns, both internationally acclaimed designers.
Featuring the OKC Philharmonic and Canterbury Voices, OKC Ballet's new "The Nutcracker" features 12 sparkling snowflakes, Christmas tree twins, a snowy European street scene, an epic food fight, polar bears, Mother and Father Ginger, fairies and fireflies, plus a Mouse King and Queen and pirate mice.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band's 'Creole Christmas,' OKC
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 15.
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Where:Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23, OKC.
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Tickets: https://towertheatreokc.com .
A New Orleans institution, the long-running jazz band will perform holiday tunes with a NOLA twist.
Bricktown Water Taxi Caroling Cruises, OKC
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When:6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 20.
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Where:Bricktown Canal, downtown OKC.
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Information: https://artafloatokc.org/#events .
'Tis the season of 45-minute musical excursions featuring talented local performers. Check-in and boarding for the concert cruises is at Put a Cork In It Winery , 115 E California Ave.
Tovar's Christmas at Cain's, Tulsa
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 20.
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Where:Cain's Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
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Tickets: www.cainsballroom.com .
Tulsa country singer-songwriter Jacob Tovar performs a hometown yuletide show at the legendary venue that's wrapping up its centennial year .
'A Very Champian Fulton Christmas,' Edmond
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 21.
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Where:UCO Jazz Lab, 100 E 5, Edmond.
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Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.
Oklahoma native and jazz singer and pianist Champian Fulton returns to her home state in concert.
Tequila Songbirds Christmas Show, OKC
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 21.
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Where:Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley, OKC.
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Tickets: https://www.bluedoorokc.com .
The local singer-songwriters annually flock together to play an all-ages holiday concert.
Red Dirt Rangers' Kids Christmas Show, OKC
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When:2 p.m. Dec. 22.
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Where: Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley, OKC.
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Tickets: https://www.bluedoorokc.com .
The venerable Payne County band brings its long-running holiday gig back to the renowned OKC listening room.
Pollard Theatre's 'A Territorial Christmas Carol,' Guthrie
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When:Through Dec. 22.
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Where:Pollard Theatre, 120 W Harrison Ave., Guthrie.
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Information: https://thepollard.org .
The nonprofit theater has staged its signature seasonal show — adapted by the late Sooner State playwright Stephen Scott and set in Oklahoma shortly after the Land Run of 1889 — for more than 1,000 performances and 150,000 patrons over 30-plus years. In 2022, Pollard brought back its beloved yuletide title live and in person for the first time in five years with a new set, cast and staging.
'Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker,' OKC
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When: Through Dec. 22.
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Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's indoor black box theater, 2920 Paseo, OKC.
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Tickets and information: https://www.okshakes.org .
Oklahoma Shakespeare closes its 40th season indoors with its original holiday production, which local playwright Erin Woods has adapted from Austen's iconic novels.
Mannheim Steamroller, Ardmore
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When:7 p.m. Dec. 26.
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Where:Westheimer Center for the Arts, 921 Veterans Blvd., Ardmore.
The brainchild of record producer and composer Chip Davis, the Grammy Award-winning holiday staple rolls into Ardmore for one night only.
Lyric Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol,' OKC
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When:Through Dec. 27.
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Where:Plaza Theatre, 1727 NW 16.
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Information: https://lyrictheatreokc.com .
After performing the yuletide classic outdoors at the Harn Homestead for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lyric took its annual production of Charles Dickens' often-adapted "Ghost Story of Christmas" back in indoors in 2023. Thanks to a $1 million gift from Devon Energy, the new production featured a new set, costumes, lights and sound effects that will be back this year, but as always, director Michael Baron's show stays faithful to Dickens' Victorian London tale.
Jabee's annual Gift Raps, OKC
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When:8 p.m. Dec. 27.
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Where: Resonant Head , 400 SW 25, Suite A, OKC.
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Tickets: https://www.resonanthead.com .
After making his major-label debut earlier this year, the OKC rapper, activist and community organizer is hosting his annual holiday benefit concert . This year's event will take place in partnership with LiveFree OKC and OK City Center, two local organizations committed to supporting those in need, and attendees are encouraged to bring donations of toys, socks, gloves and nonperishable food items.
Along with Jabee, the lineup includes Original Flow, Dezzy, Willis Writer and Chloe Hart.
'The Polar Express Train Ride,' OKC
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When:Through Dec. 29.
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Where:Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd.
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Information: https://okcthepolarexpressride.com and https://www.facebook.com/thepolarexpressokc .
A full theatrical show with a train car for a stage, the immersive ride faithfully follows Chris Van Allsburg's beloved 1985 children's book and Robert Zemeckis' enduring 2004 computer-animated film starring Tom Hanks, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year .
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, OKC
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When:3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30.
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Where: Paycom Center, 100 W Reno, downtown OKC.
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Tickets: https://www.trans-siberian.com/tour .
The multiplatinum-selling progressive rock group will return to the Sooner State for two OKC concerts on the 20th anniversary tour celebrating "The Lost Christmas Eve ."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Cowboy Christmas 25+ Oklahoma holiday shows
