Making Spirits Bright: Shows and Spectacles That Slay!

November 19, 2025
You’re sure to feel merry and bright with this sparkling lineup of joy-filled concerts, enchanting dance performances, jolly Broadway classics and more. Whether you find yourself on the naughty or nice list, filling your heart and soul with the magical sights and sounds of the season is just a jingle away.

Le Petit Theatre – lepetittheatre.com
Jan. 8-25: Blithe Spirit
Noël Coward’s comedy gem is filled with wit and charm! Novelist Charles Condomine invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his temperamental first wife, who attempts to disrupt Charles's marriage to his second wife.

Mahalia Jackson Theater - mahaliajacksontheater.com
Dec. 12: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents The Muppet Christmas Carol
The LPO presents Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in concert featuring the complete film, with the score performed live-to-picture. The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit in this special holiday event for the whole family!

Dec. 20-21: Delta Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Since 1981, Delta’s exquisite production of The Nutcracker has delighted local audiences of all ages. This holiday treat is helmed by Artistic Director, Joseph Giacobbe and accompanied by the LPO.

Jan. 24: New Orleans Ballet Association presents Argentina’s Tango After Dark
Featuring World Tango Champions Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi, a company of world-class dancers, two powerful vocalists and a live seven-piece band, this unforgettable production brings to life the revolutionary music of Argentine legend Astor Piazzolla in a breathtaking theatrical tango experience.

New Marigny Theatre – newmarignytheatre.com
Dec. 13: Ballard of the Brown King – A Christmas Cantata and Children’s Tea
Presented by OperaCréole, enjoy music and narration telling of the story of King Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men who traveled to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus. The concert is followed by a children’s tea.

Dec. 19-21 & 24: Jingle All The Gay
Kitten N’ Lou are thrilled to bring their bombastic holigay production back this December. Laugh, cry and revel with this deliciously queer and delectably extravagant confection guaranteed to make even the most stubborn yuletides gay.

Jan. 2: Stanley & His Demon – A Musical Premiere
Stanley and his wife lead a church for fun and profit. They’re willing to perform the occasional exorcism if the price is right – but they certainly don’t believe in the demonic. Until, Stanley performs an exorcism on a woman who turns out to actually be possessed.

Dec. 14: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Mozart Symphony No. 39
This dynamic program takes you on a journey through contrasting styles, from the playful charm of Strauss to the lush modern textures of Schreker and the grand elegance of Mozart.

Feb. 21: Line Upon Line Percussion
This exciting program features a world premiere large-scale work written by Louisiana-based composer Christopher Trapani with percussion by Line Upon Line alongside an electric piano and guitars.

Orpheum Theater – orpheumnola.net
Dec. 5: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Classic Christmas - The Messiah
The LPO rings in the holiday season with stunning selections from Handel’s Messiah and beloved classical Christmas music. Experience the power and beauty of this timeless masterpiece, featuring the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus.

Dec. 13-14; 20-23: New Orleans Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker
Experience this classic Christmas tale and the incredible company of dancers, dazzling sets, stunning costumes, and the iconic score by Tchaikovsky. The holiday season isn’t complete without The Nutcracker, and NOBT’s production is not one to miss!
Dec. 16: Harry Shearer and Judith Owen’s Christmas Without Tears
Celebrate the season during the special 20th Anniversary show, which benefits Innocence Project New Orleans. Enjoy an intimate evening packed with festive music, laughter and special guests, as critically-acclaimed vocalist Judith Owen and her husband, actor and humorist Harry Shearer spread their special brand of yuletide cheer.

Dec. 17: Leslie Odom, Jr. The Christmas Tour
Leslie Odom, Jr. is a multifaceted Grammy and Tony award-winning vocalist, songwriter, author, and actor with a career that spans all performance genres. His chart-topping Holiday album, Simply Christmas, hit Number One on iTunes and the Billboard Jazz charts, and #31 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Dec. 18: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents The Holiday Spectacular
This beloved annual tradition brings everyone’s favorite holiday classics to life in a festive and heartwarming concert for all ages. From timeless carols to spirited orchestral favorites, this program is sure to fill you with holiday cheer!

Dec. 31: The Revivalists – New Year’s Eve Ball
Ring in the new year with one of NOLA’s most beloved bands, The Revivalists. Known for their soulful, high-energy live shows, the eight-piece collective mixes funk, rock, R&B, and soul to create their spirited genre-bending sounds.

Jan. 7: Fortune Feimster – Takin’ Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour
Affable, charismatic and one of a kind, the standup comedian, writer and actor uses her confessional comedy to bring people together. Through laughter and storytelling, she shows audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and sexual orientations that common ground is only a joke away.

Jan. 15: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Copland’s Rodeo
Experience a vibrant celebration of America's musical landscape, showcasing diverse voices and exceptional artistry.

Jan. 16: Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass Band & Other Delights
A legendary trumpet player, Alpert’s extraordinary musicianship has earned him five #1 hits, nine Grammys, 15 Gold albums, and has sold over 72 million records. He also holds the distinction of being the only artist who has had a number-one instrumental and vocal single.

Jan. 29: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Brahm’s Symphony No. 1
From vibrant rhythms to dazzling virtuosity and majestic grandeur, this evening offers a journey for the senses!

Feb. 26: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Embark on a sonic adventure with a thrilling fusion of British and Scandinavian folk music, including Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor performed by Zhu Wang.

Saenger Theatre – saengernola.com
Dec. 2: 98 Degrees with Special Guests O-Town
With over 15 million albums sold worldwide, the multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated vocal group brings their unique blend of pop and R&B to New Orleans.

Dec. 9-14: Back To The Future The Musical
When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past and send himself ... back to the future. Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, when Back to the Future hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theater history forever.

Dec. 26: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The enchanting evening features a remarkable international cast, whimsical puppetry, and opulent costumes and sets. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score sets the stage for a magical holiday spectacle that your family will cherish forever!

Dec. 28: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller, created by Grammy winner Chip Davis. The classic holiday program celebrates the anniversary of 40 years since the first Christmas album and includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.

Dec. 30 - Jan. 4: Hell’s Kitchen
Inspired by the music and life of 16-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys, Broadway’s hit musical follows Ali, a spirited 17-year-old girl searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Nominated for 13 Tony Awards and 2025 Grammy winner for Best Musical Theater Album, Hell’s Kitchen is a fun celebration of finding yourself and the people who lift you up.

Jan. 15: Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight!
Emmy-Award® winning Actor and 2025 Theater Hall of Fame Inductee Richard Thomas brings to life “the nation’s one true comic genius” (The New York Times) in this one-man-show, written and originally performed by Hal Holbrook.

Jan. 23-25: HADESTOWN
Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin is a love story for today... and always. Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go!

Feb. 3-8: Water for Elephants
The critically acclaimed, bestselling novel comes to life in a unique new musical. After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Smoothie King Center – smoothiekingcenter.com
Dec. 6: Jonas Brothers
In the 2000’s, the Jonas Brothers melted tween hearts with their catchy tunes and cover-boy good looks. Since then, they have released scores of hits and have won multiple awards including American Music, Billboard and MTV.

Dec. 17: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Renowned for their elaborate, live-touring Christmas rock operas and extensive stage pageantry, don’t miss TSO’s unique blend of classical music, symphonic rock, and progressive metal.

The Sazerac House – feverup.com
Dec. 19- 20: Candlelight Concert – Christmas Carols on Strings
Surrounded by warm candlelight, enjoy classic holiday sounds of the season from Deck The Halls to Silent Night during this multi-sensory musical experience.