‘A Christmas Carol’
Southwest Shakespeare Co.
Through Dec. 20
Playhouse on the Park,
Viad Corporate Center
1850 N. Central Ave.
602-254-2151
Traditional music, songs, dancing, and special effects make this moving tale an extraordinary evening for the whole family. Don’t miss the adventures of Scrooge as he is once again visited by the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Tickets are available through the Phoenix Theatre box office. Access the page through http://swshakespeare.org.

‘A Bloody Mary Christmas’
Dec. 4-21
Space 55
636 E. Pierce St.
www.space55.org
For the fifth consecutive year, Space 55 presents a holiday musical for people who hate the holidays and musicals. Sun City retirees Blanche, Bertha and Mabel sing, dance and drink themselves silly as they battle a heartless homeowner’s association that tries to evict them from their condo on Christmas Eve. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll pee a little. Not appropriate for children. Show times are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., except for Dec. 20-21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 each; seating is general.

‘A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail’
Dec. 5-23
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. 1st St.
602-253-8188, ext. 2
This holiday musical tradition about caring and sharing has been delighting Valley audiences since 1995. Tickets are $18 each, plus fees. Visit http://vyt.com.

Frances Smith Cohen’s ‘Snow Queen’
Center Dance Ensemble
Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 6-21
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
602-252-8497
The magical retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen classic to music by Sergei Prokofiev. Tickets are $14-28, plus fees. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.

Xavier Christmas Pageant
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Virginia G. Piper
Performing Arts Center,
Xavier College Preparatory
4710 N. 5th St.
The pageant is the traditional story of the birth of Christ as told through music and dance, and this year’s theme is “The Lord’s Lullaby.” No charge for admission. Seating is general.

‘Rejoice and Sing!’
Sonoran Desert Chorale
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Valley Presbyterian Church
6947 E. McDonald Drive
480-305-4538
Joined by the Sonoran Brass Quintet, the Chorale presents a very special concert, from the 17th century motet, Gaudete Omnes (Rejoice, everyone!), to the contemporary All My Heart This Night Rejoices by Stroope. Be a part of the annual tradition as the audience is invited to join the Chorale in singing carols to celebrate the joys of the holiday season. Single tickets are $18 each, seniors and children are $15 each. Tickets may be purchased online at www.SonoranDesertChorale.org or by phone.

Candlelight Christmas Concert
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
First United Methodist Church
5510 N. Central Ave.
The gifts of the FUMC Music Department are on display for this joyous occasion. Admission is free; goodwill offerings will be accepted. Concerts will conclude with a light reception. For more information, visit www.firstchurchphx.org.

Festival of Lessons and Carols
4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Orangewood Presbyterian Church
7321 N. 10th St.
Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols featuring the Orangewood choir, strings, organ and handbells. Event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be gratefully received. A reception follows.

‘The Night Before Christmas’
Dec. 10-28
Great Arizona Puppet Theatre
302 W. Latham St.
602-262-2050
A joyful celebration of Christmas with stories, music, and an amazing array of puppets. Suitable for all ages. Show times are 10 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Visit http://azpuppets.org.

‘The Nutcracker’
Ballet Arizona
Dec. 12-28
Phoenix Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd Ave.
602-381-1096
With more than 150 performers, hundreds of costumes and the beauty and athleticism of Ballet Arizona’s nationally recognized dancers, this performance is a timeless holiday tradition for all ages. Performed with the Phoenix Symphony. Visit http://balletaz.org.

Holiday Mixology Concert
7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
1212 E. Glendale Ave.
Featuring a broad range of holiday music from diverse cultures. Admission is $10 for adults, children 12 and under free. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes before concert time. Mention North Central News and receive one ticket free with purchase of one regularly priced ticket. Reception to follow.

‘World of Carols’
Phoenix Girls Chorus
3 p.m. Saturday, December 13
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
6300 N. Central Ave.
Perfect for family members of all ages. Ticket prices are: Premiere Seating, $23 adults, $18 seniors/students, $10 children; General Seating, $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $8 children. All veterans or active duty military personnel can attend for just $3. Email office@girlschorus.org for tickets.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Camelback Bible Church
3900 E. Stanford Drive
602-495-1999
Handel’s massive oratorio makes a profound musical statement of the Christian faith, celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The acclaimed and popular “Halleluiah” chorus highlights this spiritual concert. Music Director Tito Muñoz leads the Valley’s favorite holiday tradition as The Phoenix Symphony, The Phoenix Symphony Chorus and soloists perform. Tickets are $39 plus fees. Visit http://phoenixsymphony.org.

‘Holidays with Orpheus’
Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
Camelback Bible Church
3900 E. Stanford Drive
602-271-9396
Audience members will be asked to join in all the fun and sing along with the men of Orpheus in everyone’s favorite Christmas carols. Enjoy old favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and “Jingle Bells.” In addition to many standards, the chorus will also be singing Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium” and a selection from Central Africa, “Noel.” The concert is repeated 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. 7th St. Tickets are $15 for seniors/students, $20 for adults, free for children ages 12 and younger. Visit www.orpheus.org.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’
11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
First United Methodist Church
5510 N. Central Ave.
602-263-5013
More than 75 voices (church and community members) will join with soloists, orchestra and organ to bring this powerful musical setting of the Christmas story to life. The concert is free and open to the public.

‘Holiday Favorites From Stage & Screen’
Arizona Opera
Dec. 18-21
Hormel Black Box Theatre,
Phoenix Theatre
100 E. McDowell Road
An evening featuring selections from memorable holiday classics such as “White Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” performed by singers from Arizona Opera. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by calling 602-254-2151 or at: phoenixtheatre.com.

‘A Chorale Christmas’
Phoenix Chorale
7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 & 22
Brophy Chapel
4701 N. Central Ave.
602-253-2224
Rejoice and reflect in Arvo Pärt’s “Magnificat Antiphons.” There also will be Christmas carols and a sing-along at the end. Tickets are $34 general admission, $29 seniors and members of the military, and $15 for students. All tickets are $5 more at the door. Visit www.phoenixchorale.org.

‘A Phoenix Boys Choir Holiday’
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Camelback Bible Church
3900 E. Stanford Drive
602-264-5328, ext. 21
Ring in the holiday season with a musical celebration of holiday traditions from France, Poland, Israel, and many others in “A World of Carols.” There also will be excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah,” including the traditional Hallelujah chorus, and the always popular enactment of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Tickets are $23 general admission, $18 seniors and students 12 and younger; all tickets $28 at the door. Visit www.phoenixboyschoir.org.

Holiday Jazz Cabaret
Dec. 22-24
Hormel Black Box Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
100 E. McDowell Road
Dennis Rowland, the Greg Warner Project and Diana Lee will combine talents for this holiday show, featuring jazzy versions of holiday classics. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by calling 602-254-2151 or at: www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Author

Hello, North Central neighbor — thank you for visiting!

Sign up to receive our digital issue in your inbox each month.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.