Now that Thanksgiving has passed, San Jose is ready to dive head-first into the holiday season.
Holiday bar pop-ups are back, Christmas in the Park has already welcomed visitors, and now all we’re needing is... some festive tunes.
Get ready to sing + dance at these local winter plays and concerts happening this December.
🎭 On Dancer, on Prancer
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” runs through Sunday, Dec. 3 (last chance)
Broadway San Jose | $39-$104
Catch the timeless tale of the Mean One and his quest to steal from the holiday-loving Whos.
The 58th Annual “Nutcracker,” runs Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 10
San Jose Dance Theatre | $33-$99
The SJDT celebrates its 58th year of the classic holiday favorite — “Once Upon a Nutcracker” is also showing as an abbreviated version for families with young children.
“The San Jose Nutcracker,” runs Saturday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Dec. 23
New Ballet | $17-$95
History San José partners with New Ballet to bring festive activities before the show. “My Very First Nutcracker” is a shortened version of the original for families with young children.
“An Italian Christmas,” Saturday, Dec. 16
Pasquale Esposito | $65-$95
The Italian tenor returns to play seasonal favorites and share his Italian holiday traditions.
“The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show,” Sunday, Dec. 17
$49.50-$99.50 | Parental guidance is advised
These two queens set out to create a classic holiday variety show, but can’t seem to agree on how.
🎻 Sounds of the season
“Holidays with Cantabile,” Saturday, Dec. 2
$30-$75
Travel south of the equator + hear holiday tunes from Māori, Argentinian, Indonesian, and Australian origins.
“Around the World, a Holiday Concert,” Sunday, Dec. 3
San Jose Metropolitan Band | $5-$20
Hear a narrated version of “The Night Before Christmas” and listen to tunes like “Russian Christmas Music,” “Rhapsody for Hanukkah,” and more.
“Christmas at the California,” runs Monday, Dec. 4-Thursday, Dec. 7
Valley Christian Schools | $7-$14
This four-show series presents music from the K-3 Kidservatory Choirs, Junior High Bands, and High School musicians.
“Christmas at the California,” runs Saturday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 10
Symphony San Jose | $55-$115
Join in on audience sing-alongs + hear the Silicon Valley version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Holiday Concert, Sunday, Dec. 10
Golden State Youth Orchestra | $15-$25
Celebrate the season with festive dances to Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture,” Strauss II’s “The Blue Danube Waltz,” and even Hisaishi’s “Merry-Go-Round” from “Howl’s Moving Castle.”
“You-Sing-It Messiah,” Monday, Dec. 11
San Jose Symphonic Choir | $20-$25
Come in festive attire to sing along to Handel’s beloved oratorio, and arrive early to enjoy carols from the Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose.
26th Anniversary Edition: Christmas Tour 2023, Thursday, Dec. 24
Dave Koz and Friends | $60-$100
The longest-running, jazz-based Christmas tour returns with timeless classics, as well as a Chanukah medley. Justin-Lee Schultz, a 16-year-old musical prodigy + multi-instrumentalist will join the tour.