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From Frozen to Die Hard, these 9 December shows are must-sees in Houston

We’re still making our way through our traditional holiday stage viewing that opened last month, including those dancing Nutcrackers and spooky Christmastime ghosts. Yet, December brings even more theatrical treats. We’ve got fairytale fun for the whole family with a brand-new Frozen and Pinocchio. Cabaret companies ring in the holidays, and Sister is back for a Catechism mystery. And for those wanting to leave the kids at home, Houston theater even has a few shows likely on Santa’s naughty-list.

Holiday Cabaret (now through December)
If you’re in the mood for some great songs, light comedy, and perhaps some performers to audience banter, Houston musical theater has some special cabaret shows for you. Music Box Theatre brings back A Beatles Holiday Cabaret, their annual December unique mashup tradition of mixing classic and contemporary holiday songs with Beatles standards. After last year’s success, Paul Hope Cabarets returns with several evenings of holiday songs both familiar and new that feature two favorite Yuletide themes, Angels and Bells. And as part of their Artists Lounge series, A.D. Players will present Merry Christmas Darling, as Chicago’s favorite leading lady Heidi Kettering sings the holiday hits of Karen Carpenter.

Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of Magi’s Gold at Stages (December 3-22)
After picking up summer school and regular term classes already this season, Houston's hardest working theatrical nun is back for the holidays with another catechism session. In this special Christmas rendition, Sister (Stages favorite Denise Fennell) plays detective as she tries to solve the mystery of what happened to all that gifted gold those the wise men brought to the most famous baby shower in history. While Sister recounts the nativity story in her own unique way, no texting or gum chewing is allowed in this class. Pay attention because Sister will call on her students and sometimes require active participation.

The Night Shift Before Christmas at Alley Theatre (December 5-29)
The Alley brings back this crowd-pleasing tale that they world-premiered in 2022 with a name change and a brand new script. Scrooge gets a decidedly 21st century, Tejana new look in this one-woman show from playwright Isaac Gómez. Working the Christmas Eve night shift at an iconic Texas burger joint, Margot is about to find out the usual grumpy drive-thru customers and an equally grumpy robotic Santa are the least of her worries when her dead friend Jackie Marley stops by with a gaggle of ghostly customers. Briana J. Resa, who originated the role of Margo, is also back to let the spirits sometimes literally move her.

Panto Pinocchio at Stages (December 6-January 5)
Stages’ takes us on another holiday adventure as they continue their annual tradition of bringing world premiere panto shows that weave together contemporary fairytale revision with some adult satire and silly fun for kids. In this 21st century version of Pinocchio, the kid that just wants to be real begins life as an AI boy created by genius inventor Gill Bates. With the help of everybody’s favorite faithful guide, Buttons, Pinocchio embarks on a quest to become real and encounters a world of digital mischief and adventure along the way. Will he unlock the secrets to his identity? Or will the conniving villains Miss Treats and Miss Demeanor disrupt the festivities and thwart Pinocchio’s journey?

Disney’s Frozen from Theatre Under the Stars (December 10-29)
Let it go – the holiday stresses that is – and spend a night in the winter wonderland of the fairytale Frozen. The stage musical of Disney’s blockbuster animated film took Broadway by (snow) storm seven years ago before hitting the road for a multi-year U.S tour. Now that those tours have ended, Disney invited Theatre Under the Stars to create its own production.

While all the beloved songs and the story of a queendom saved by magic and sisterly love will remain the same, look for all-new set and costume designs inspired by Scandinavia. This will likely be TUTS' biggest self-produced show of the year and will include students from their theater schools, making it perfect for the whole family.

Who's Holiday! from Garden Theatre (December 13-22)
If you’re looking for a show that’s decidedly adults-only, head down to the MATCH for this irreverent parody about the aftermath of the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Cindy Lou Who, the adorable tike who saved Christmas from the Grinch, has reached adulthood, lives in a trailer on Mount Crumpit, and boy has she seen some Seussicial stuff in her time. Local fav Chaney Moore, who has appeared on many a Houston stage, plays the bawdy, outrageous Cindy Lou as she prepares to host a tell-all Christmas party.

“She’s got a martini in one hand, a cigarette in the other, and she’s ready to finally tell you her side of the story,” explains Garden Theatre artistic director Logan Vaden.

Yippee Ki Yay presented by Performing Arts Houston (December 20-22)
As the year winds down, let’s move beyond the debate about whether Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie and focus on the much more important new argument: Does a one-man, live-rhyming reenactment of Die Hard count as a holiday show? We’ll find out as PAH stages this internationally award-winning, action-packed, loving (but still weird) comic tribute to Die Hard. Be there live as John McClane and Han Gruber (a.k.a writer/performer Richard March) set Nakatomi Plaza ablaze through the magic of theater lighting and imagination, while March also tells us a deeper story about the joy of being a fan.

Photo by Melissa Taylor

Theatre Under the Stars presents their new vision for Disney's Frozen.

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.”

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