ParentsPost

The five family holiday shows you don't want to miss: Lively theater for livelychildren

Main Street Theater cast members in A Little House Christmas
Photo by Kaitlyn Walker
The Houston Symphony presents Hip Hoppin' Nutcracker
Photo by Leah Polkowske
Rhodes Elliott and artists of the Houston Ballet in The Nutcracker
Photo by © Amitava Sarkar
The A.D. Players in Sanders Family Christmas
Photo courtesy of Bara Photography
Jeffrey Bean as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Alley Theatre's A Christmas Carol: AGhost Story of Christmas
Photo by Mike McCormick
The company in the Alley Theatre's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
Photo by © T Charles Erickson

What is your favorite childhood memory of the holidays? Playing with cousins while waiting for Santa? Singing carols with friends at school? Sipping hot chocolate with parents while reading holiday books?

In our hearts we carry a range of remembrances from the simplest pleasures to the most lavish spectacles. This holiday season, Houston’s performance halls are offering shows that can delight the whole family and leave indelible impressions of the holiday spirit.

Here are five favorite choices:

A Little House Christmas

When: Through Dec. 22; Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Where: Main Street Theater, Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd., 713-524-6706, www.mainstreettheater.com

Storyline: This play is based on the cherished Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Bad weather hampers the Ingalls family’s Christmas Day celebration. Sisters Laura and Mary are disappointed that they are stranded at home and Santa may not make it after all. In this holiday classic, the girls learn the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.

"The Little House books are timeless, and A Little House Christmas is such a warm, genuine portrayal of family and friendship. It illustrates the joys and struggles of life in the early pioneer days on the prairie,” says Vivienne M. St. John, Theater for Youth’s producing director. “I think especially during the whirlwind of the holidays, A Little House Christmas helps us to refocus and appreciate the simpler things and remember what is truly important."

Length: One hour and 15 minutes with intermission

Ticket price: $12- $16; recommended for pre-kindergarten and up

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas

When: Through Dec. 24, various times.

Where: Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., 713-220-5700, www.alleytheatre.org  

Storyline: Three spirits visit Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve — the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. This production, Michael Wilson’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, offers unusual twists and spectacular sets.

“What’s interesting to me about this tale is that we meet the indifferent and miserly Scrooge," says director James Black, "and he is shown by the Spirits that, ultimately, he has little power or affect on the people in his life and the world around him.

"He wants and needs the rest of humanity to be as miserable as he is. But the people endure and find joy and happiness and love in the simplest things and in the worst of times. Conversely, as we watch Scrooge’s transformation, he is shown that the tiniest act of kindness, compassion and charity can have ripples and reverberations that change lives. Love and generosity win. Every time."

Length: One hour and 47 minutes with intermission

Ticket price: Starts at $25; recommended for general audiences, children 6 and older

Sanders Family Christmas

When: Through Dec. 31, various times.

Where: A.D. Players, 2710 W. Alabama, 713-526-2721, www.adplayers.org  

Storyline: The show spreads holiday cheer through more than 20 Christmas carols and yuletide stories. The Sanders family gathers for Christmas Eve 1941 in Mount Pleasant, N.C. It’s just before American soldiers, including a member of their own family, leave for World War II.

“The show is really all about family. Everyone can relate with at least one member of the Sanders family; the uncle who is a bit of a black sheep, the mother who embarrasses her children, the sister who has to be the center of attention,” says Sarah Cooksey, A.D. Players public relations manager.

“What makes the show even better is the great music and the chance for the families of Houston to enjoy a show together for the holidays. Sanders Family Christmas celebrates the things that mean the most in life: family, faith, and the joy that comes from experiencing them together with the people you love.”

Length: Two hours and 15 minutes including intermission

Ticket price: $32- $41

Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker

When: Through Dec. 30, Various times

Where: Wortham Theater Center, Brown Theater, 501 Texas Avenue, 713-227-2787, www.houstonballet.org

Storyline: This is the beloved ballet with music composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It tells the story of little Clara who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. After everyone goes to bed, she travels on a fantastic journey through the Land of Sweets, encountering the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

More than one million people have seen this Ben Stevenson production since its Houston Ballet premiere 25 years ago.

“In keeping with traditions, The Nutcracker signifies the start of the holidays,” says principal dancer Mireille Hassenboehler, “Seeing The Nutcracker is such a magical experience for families, from the growing Christmas tree to the snowy snow scene. What better way to elevate the holiday? The Nutcracker brings such beautiful set designs, amazing costumes, music by Tchaikovsky, and spectacular dancing.”

Length: One hour and 55 minutes with intermission

Ticket price: $25-$110, recommended for children 2 and older.

Hip Hoppin’ Nutcracker

When: Dec. 8; two shows 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Where: Jones Hall, presented by Houston Symphony, 713-224-7575, www.houstonsymphony.org

Storyline: Conductor Robert Franz and the Houston Symphony orchestra join forces with Westside High School’s Inertia Dance Company in this musical holiday celebration with a playful twist. Inertia is an elite performing ensemble that combines different dance elements from ballet to modern jazz to break dancing.

The concert song list includes "Suites from The Nutcracker" and "The Snow Maiden" as well as "Caribbean Sleigh Ride," "Brazilian Sleigh Bells," even the theme from The Pink Panther. Children can chime in during the Christmas Pops Sing-Along. All the wonderful holiday music may just draw Santa away from the North Pole for a break - he’s scheduled to make an appearance on stage!

Families can arrive early before the 10 a.m. concert or stay late after the 11:30 a.m. concert to participate in activities including an instrument petting zoo and arts and crafts.

Length: One hour

Ticket price: $18 for children, $26 for adults

Bernadette Verzosa is founder of ParentsPost.com, a website that covers new and exciting things for families to do in the Houston area.

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let's dance

Houston Ballet leaps into 2026-2027 with world premieres and Swan Lake

Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox

Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake.

Announcing its 2026-2027 season, Houston Ballet leaps into an immersive wonderland with the world premiere ballet Where’s Alice? from co-artistic director Stanton Welch. This is just one of many dance adventures set for a season filled with spectacular story ballets, cutting edge contemporary dances, and world premieres.

“This season reflects the full breadth of what Houston Ballet is — and where we’re going,” Houston Ballet co-artistic director Julie Kent said in a statement. “We are honoring the great choreographic voices that have shaped our art form, from Balanchine and MacMillan to Lubovitch and Peck, while simultaneously opening the door to new creative possibilities through world premieres and bold collaborations.”

The season begins September 11 through 20 with a classic Texas twang for Pecos Bill, the title production of an eclectic mixed repertory program. Stanton Welch’s fun and rollicking dance follows the adventures of the folklore cowboy, Pecos Bill. The program also showcases a work from 20th century dance master, George Balanchine, with the elegant and dynamic Symphonie Concertante. And for the first time, the company will perform celebrated choreographer Lar Lubovitch’s Meadow, a piece Julie Kent herself once danced when it first debuted.

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon returns September 24 through October 4. First performed by the company in 1994, the doomed love story between irresistibly beautiful femme fatale, Manon, and impoverished student, Des Grieux, has had audiences swooning for decades.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Houston Ballet season without the annual Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance. And then closing out 2026, the company gifts Houston with Welch’s delightful and delectable Nutcracker Ballet.

The new year premieres Where's Alice? , Welch’s brand new work will be a re-envisioning of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, February 25 through March 7. Describing it as one of the most ambitious undertakings in HB’s recent history, the company plans for Alice to become a fully immersive theater experience that incorporates cutting-edge audio and visual effects that will take audience down the rabbit hole into a living, breathing, wondrous world.

Keeping with what looks to be the 26-27 season’s theme of blockbuster ballets from Welch, the company floats into spring, March 11 through 21, with the classic story of Madam Butterfly, a dramatic exploration of love, sacrifice, and cultural collision danced to Puccini’s heartbreaking score.

Beginning May 27 through June 6, HB offers the second mixed repertory program of the season, The Rite of Spring, and with it another world premiere. First, the company brings back the hypnotic, contemporary ballet, Reflections, a piece it originally debuted by the dance world’s reigning rock star, Justin Peck. Company member and up-and-coming choreographer Jacquelyn Long will create a new ballet for the program. Another highlight of the evening and the title work, Welch’s The Rite of Spring, offers a a visceral and elemental reimagining of dance for Stravinsky’s score that shocked the music world when it first debuted.

$Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch\u2019s Swan Lake$

Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox

Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake.

The season ends June 10 through 27 with one of ballet’s most beloved stories, Swan Lake. Stanton Welch’s celebrated production was first staged by the company in 2006 and has gone on to become an audience favorite. Inspired by Pre-Raphaelite painter John William Waterhouse’s painting “The Lady of Shalott,” the production features lavish sets and costumes.

Reflecting on the whole season and his Alice in particular, Welch echo’s Kent’s belief that the programming offers a vision that connects the company’s history, present, and future.

“Where’s Alice? is an example of that vision – a production that pushes the boundaries of ballet through immersive sets and thought-provoking storytelling that makes you question, 'Who in the world am I?' as Alice did, creating an entirely new world audiences can step into,” Welch said. “It’s work like this that allows us to welcome new audiences into the theater while continuing to challenge and inspire our longtime supporters.”

performing-arts houston ballet