Raise the Curtain on the Holiday Season
Cool, crisp air. Twinkling lights on houses. Hot cocoa and cheery music. These are signs that the holidays are here. Along with the festive atmosphere, performances by local artists will capture the attention of the whole family. Whether you never miss a single year of The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, or you’re starting a new tradition with your young family, we have all the performances in the Annapolis area for you.
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and Annapolis Symphony Academy
Brahms & Ice Cream: A Chamber Concert for Piano & Strings
With top-tier, professional musicians, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will allow you to hear a world-class ensemble right in our hometown. Enjoy music from the Bilingual Marshall Choir, followed by ASO musicians playing Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60 and Mark O’Connor’s Appalachia Waltz. After the performance, have some free ice cream courtesy of Storm Bros. Ice Cream Factory!
Dates/Times: Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 3 PM
Address: Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, 710 Ridgely Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $25, or call the Box Office at (410) 263-0907 to learn about $10 student tickets, or military, law enforcement and first responder discounts that may be applied to this performance.
Winter Concert: Lyra Chamber Orchestra & Aquarius Wind Ensemble
The Annapolis Symphony Academy is the ASO’s largest educational project, giving students the opportunity to learn from professionals. But this free recital will display just how professional these young musicians really are.
Dates/Times: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 4 PM
Address: Temple Beth Shalom, 1461 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Arnold, MD 21012
Price: Free and open to the public!
Holiday Pops Concert
Join the ASO for this annual holiday treat! There are three opportunities to be carried away by joyful music both classic and modern. Two of the performances, at Bowie State University and Maryland Hall, will include the Bowie State University Concert Choir.
Dates/Times: Friday, December 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Address: Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $65 to $135. Student tickets are available for $10! Call the box office at 410-263-0907 to purchase.
Dates/Times: Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 3 PM
Address: Severna Park High School, 60 Robinson Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146
Price: Varies from $45 to $55. Student tickets are available for $10! Call the box office at 410-263-0907 to purchase.
Dates/Times: Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 3 PM
Address: Dionne Warwick Theater at Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD 20715
Price: Varies from $45 to $55. Student tickets are available for $10! Call the box office at 410-263-0907 to purchase.
Anne Arundel Community College
Big Band Jazz Fall Concert
If jazz is your style, AACC’s Big Band will have a night of swinging sounds for you. The hard work of these musicians will be on display through their ensemble numbers and solo performances.
Dates/Times: Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Address: Robert E. Kauffman Theater, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
Price: $20 for general admission. Discounts available for AACC students, AACC faculty, and senior citizens, AACPS students, and active military.
Winter Dance Concert
Come see this reimagining of The Nutcracker that brings Duke Ellington’s jazz to Tchaikovsky’s classic masterpiece. The dance company members will open the show with original pieces that will showcase their creativity.
Dates/Times: Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 PM
Address: Robert E. Kauffman Theater, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
Price: $20 for general admission. Discounts available for AACC students, AACC faculty, and senior citizens.
Ballet Theatre of Maryland
The Nutcracker
If you think this is the same story that you may have seen a year, two years, or 20 years ago, think again. With new choreography by artistic director, Nicole Kelsch, this adaptation weaves local history of 19th century Annapolis with the classic beloved tale. Join Clara and the Nutcracker on their journey while observing classical ballet excellence. And if you can’t attend in person, you can still enjoy the show by purchasing a virtual ticket.
Dates/Times: Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 2 PM
Address: Coppermine Pantherplex, 1400 Panther Dr, Hampstead, MD 21074
Price: $32.07 for general admission. Discounts available for children, students, and senior citizens.
Dates/Times: Weekends from Saturday, December 13, 2025 through Sunday, December 21, 2025
Address: Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $71.85 for general admission. Discounts available for children, students, military, and senior citizens. Virtual tickets are $39.11.
Classic Theatre of Maryland
White Christmas
Even if you’ve never seen the film starring Bing Crosby, you’ve heard his voice in the background crooning, “I’m dreaming…of a white Christmas.” Come see the Hollywood golden age story on the stage and you’ll be humming Irving Berlin tunes the rest of the season.
Dates/Times: Select days from Friday, November 28, 2025 through Sunday, December 28, 2025
Address: 1804 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $61.75 to $88.75
A Christmas Carol
“Marley was dead: to begin with.” So writes Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol, and sets off the tale of Ebenezzer Scrooge’s fantastical story of change, generosity, and redemption.
Dates/Times: Select days from Thursday, December 4, 2025 through Saturday, December 27, 2025.
Address: 1804 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $61.75 to $88.75
Christmas Cabaret: HOLIDAY SWING!
For a 1920s take on the holidays that feels fresh even one hundred years later, see the cabaret for jazzy tunes and lots of laughs. Enjoy signature cocktails in the fully stocked Cabaret Room bar and order dinner from Reynolds Tavern or Blackwall Hitch. Get ready to get cozy with fellow patrons as you share a table and make new friends. ‘Tis the season for goodwill and good times!
Dates/Times: Monday, December 8, 2025 and Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Address: 1804 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $81.75 to $88.75. Does not include drinks or gratuity.
Colonial Players
A Christmas Carol
Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim have been Annapolis stage staples for decades. A Christmas Carol by the Colonial Players is a tradition that families can carry on with their own children. See how the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future teach Scrooge—and all of us—about the most important things in life: family, love, and community.
Dates/Times: Select days from Wednesday, December 3, 2025 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Address: 108 East Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $10 each. From their website, “Tickets for A Christmas Carol are $10 each (cash or check only) and will go on sale in-person only at our traditional Sidewalk Ticket Sale on Saturday, November 22 from 9 am to 12 pm at the theater at 108 East Street. Each patron may purchase a maximum of eight (8) tickets, cash or check only. Following the sale, any remaining tickets will be available online starting at 1 pm on November 22.”
Compass Rose Theatre
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s tale of enemies-to-lovers gets the stage treatment at Compass Rose Theatre. Join Elizabeth Bennett and her four sisters as they navigate love and friendship in late-18th century England.
Dates/Times: Select days from Friday, November 14, 2025 through Sunday, December 14, 2025
Address: Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Third Floor, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $58.50 for general admission with discounts for children under 10, senior citizens, veterans, and students.
Davy Dance Academy
Elf on a Maryland Shelf
Davy Dance Academy is a community-based dance studio with lessons for all ages from preschool to adult. Their winter performance will be a showcase of musical talents for the season. If your family delights in the antics of a certain sneaky elf every year, you will love this performance by Davy Dance Academy’s young learners. Watch Santa’s helper come to life before your eyes and join him on his adventure. Even those families who don’t have an elf playing hide-and-seek in their home will enjoy the festive songs and holiday cheer.
Dates/Times: Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19, 2025 at 7 PM
Address: Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
Price: $20 for adults and $15 for children in advance. $25 for adults and $20 for children at the door.
Live Arts Maryland
Celebration of Christmas
Hear a collection of your favorite Christmas tunes and sing along with Maestro J. Ernest Green. Songs like White Christmas and Sleigh Ride will remind you that it’s truly The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Dates/Times: Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Address: Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $50 for general admission. There is a Pay What You Can option that you can access through the Eventbrite link or by contacting their office at (443) 771-5198.
Handel’s Messiah
Sweeping orchestral melodies and moving vocal harmonies showcase the power behind this music. With Artistic Director and Maestro J. Ernest Green’s wealth of experience leading the way, the musicians and singers carry on this inspirational tradition for audiences of any age.
Dates/Times: Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Address: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $50 for general admission. There is a Pay What You Can option that you can access through the Eventbrite link or by contacting their office at (443) 771-5198.
Maryland Hall
A Charlie Brown Christmas with Eric Byrd Trio
What would Christmas be without Charlie Brown? The timeless music is brought to life by Eric Byrd Trio, bringing swing, bebop, gospel, and blues together in toe-tapping harmony. Their rendition of Linus and Lucy will warm you up like a cup of mulled wine. A good time here is easier to find than the perfect Christmas tree.
Dates/Times: Friday, December 5, 2025 at 6 PM and 8 PM, and Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Address: Bowen Theatre, Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: General Admission: $41, Children 12 and under: $16
Rams Head on Stage
A Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala
Virtuoso guitarist Peter White, along with saxophonists Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala, brings his annual contemporary jazz Christmas show to Rams Head on Stage. A performance for all ages, your whole family will love their musical stylings and delightful stage presence. You’re guaranteed to leave in a great mood after spending the evening with Peter White.
Dates/Times: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $71.23 to $83.57 including fees.
Peter Mayer: A Stars & Promises Christmas “Harmony”
This holiday concert offers a unifying performance of many traditional backgrounds. Musicians with influences from Celtic, classical, jazz, rock, and more come together for a powerful show. Come to this concert to see pure musicianship at its best.
Dates/Times: Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 8 PM
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $47.69 to $65.74 including fees.
An Annapolis Christmas
This annual Christmas show is presented by the Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians (AMFM) and raises money to support their cause. This show is all Annapolis artists performing holiday originals and classics. Each night has a different lineup, so it may be worth it to come out on both nights!
Dates/Times: Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 7 PM
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $65.74 including fees.
A SQRRL! Holiday (Matinee)
A mosh pit for kids? This might be the perfect place for your rambunctious and music-loving little ones. You’ll be singing and dancing right along with them! Join Santa Claus, Frosty, Eddie the Elf, Aunt Vicki and others while your whole family has a blast.
Dates/Times: Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Noon
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $20.05 including fees.
Happy Holidays Drag Brunch
Have a festive time with queens Tula, Regina Jozet Adams, Shawnna Alexander, Sue Nami, Chip, and Ashlee Jozet Adams singing “some holiday hits and some not so holiday hits.” Grab your friends and get your tickets now because this event sells out fast!
Dates/Times: Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $28.03 including fees.
Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home For The Holidays with T.3
Jon McLaughlin’s holiday spirit will warm you up as he serenades with both original songs and classic carols. Whether you have been a fan of his since his 2007 release, Indiana, or if you’re hopping on the bandwagon with his newest album Scenarios, you’re sure to enjoy his singer-songwriter talents.
Dates/Times: Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: Varies from $33.68 to $62.75 including fees.
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack Holidaze Show
A blend of rock, funk, metal, ska, and reggae, Jimmie’s Chicken Shake (JCS), has been around for more than 30 years. Their post-Christmas show will have one electric set and one acoustic set. After you’re done cleaning up wrapping paper and sleeping off Christmas dinner, come hang out with the band to rock out and dance off.
Dates/Times: Friday, December 26, 2025 at 8 PM
Address: 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Price: $47.58 including fees.
You don’t have to celebrate Christmas or any other winter holiday to enjoy what the season has to offer. There is plenty of theater, dance, and music to delight anyone who is in the holiday spirit. Treat yourself to an evening (or matinee) of excellence in performance while supporting the arts in our community.
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