Nutcracker and holiday shows in Charleston 2026

Charleston’s holiday stage season opens Saturday, Nov. 28, with Charlton Singleton’s Holiday Spectacular and runs to Dec. 23. The big three for families: South Carolina Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at the Charleston Music Hall Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, Charleston Stage’s “A Christmas Carol” at the Dock Street Theatre Nov. 29 to Dec. 20, and the Charleston Symphony’s Holiday Pops Dec. 17-19.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates, times and prices are as each company or venue publishes them, linked below. Some shows sell out; buy from the venue’s own box office.

Before you go

• Parking downtown: city garages and rates are on the city’s parking page; see our getting around guide.
• The Music Hall is cashless: cards and phone payments only, it says, and bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are not allowed.
• Lights, parades and Santa: see holiday lights and Christmas events and the Christmas parade and tree lighting.

The Nutcracker

South Carolina Ballet: “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, Tuesday, Dec. 1, and Wednesday, Dec. 2, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Doors open at 6 p.m.; all ages.

• William Starrett’s full-length production, with Tchaikovsky’s score, grand scenery and the company’s professional dancers, the Music Hall’s listing says.
• Tickets are $40 to $60 and are sold only through CharlestonMusicHall.com, according to South Carolina Ballet.
• The company began as Columbia City Ballet in 1961.

Dance Lab: “Rat King: The Untold and Twisted Tail of a Nutcracker Christmas,” 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, Charleston Music Hall. The fifth year of a comic Nutcracker in which the Rat King is a dad trying to give his family a good Christmas, for all ages. Charleston Music Hall.

Holiday theater

• “A Christmas Carol,” Sunday, Nov. 29, to Sunday, Dec. 20, Charleston Stage at the Dock Street Theatre. Julian Wiles’ adaptation of Dickens, with a holiday score. Charleston Stage season; box office 843-577-7183.
• “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, Charleston Stage family series, at the Pearlstine Theatre in the company’s West Ashley Theatre Center. A stuffed rabbit who wants to become real, for all ages. Charleston Stage season.
• “A Christmas Story,” Dec. 11-23, Footlight Players, Queen Street Playhouse, 20 Queen St. Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB gun, back by demand; not part of the subscription. Footlight Players.
• “Who’s Holiday,” Dec. 17-23, Footlight Players, Queen Street Playhouse. A 65-minute, R-rated one-woman comedy about a grown-up Cindy Lou Who. $35 plus fees. Footlight Players.
• Spiegeltent: “Cabaret Royale” by Underbelly, Dec. 4-22, in the Spiegeltent on the Gaillard Center’s Terrace Lawn, 95 Calhoun St. Shows at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on most nights and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, 16 and 21. Recommended for 18 and over; from $69.03. An opening-night fundraiser, Spiegelfête, is Thursday, Dec. 3. Gaillard Center.

Holiday concerts

• Charlton Singleton’s Holiday Spectacular, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Charleston Music Hall. Singleton and his band, with two-time Grammy winner Quiana Parler, play holiday favorites and new takes on them. Charleston Music Hall.
• Holy City Messiah, the Charleston Symphony’s annual Handel’s “Messiah” in three churches: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist downtown; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on Daniel Island; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church in Summerville. Charleston Symphony.
• Winter Nights with Matteo Bocelli, 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Charleston Music Hall. Charleston Music Hall.
• Charleston Symphony Chamber Music 2: Holiday Strings, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12, at the Charleston Library Society. Charleston Symphony.
• Holiday Pops!, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 17 and 18, and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Charleston Gaillard Center. Broadway’s Cheyenne Jackson sings with the orchestra, the CSO Chorus and the Palmetto Collective. Charleston Symphony Pops.

The Charleston Christmas Special

Brad and Jennifer Moranz’s holiday musical revue is in its 31st year, with an all-new 2026 show, at the Charleston Music Hall. Charleston Music Hall.

The Music Hall lists discounts for seniors 62 and older, military, groups of 15 or more, students 21 and under with ID and children 12 and under.

What this means for you

• For a first Nutcracker, the three South Carolina Ballet nights are Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 only; book early.
• “A Christmas Carol” has the longest run, three weeks to Dec. 20.
• Downtown parking fills on show nights; the Holiday Parade is Sunday, Dec. 6, and closes streets that afternoon.

Send us your holiday show: email hello@charlestonnewstoday.com with the dates, times, venue, prices and a photo. More: arts and exhibitions this month, things to do this month, New Year’s Eve.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Nutcracker in Charleston in 2026?

South Carolina Ballet performs William Starrett’s Nutcracker at the Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, Tuesday, Dec. 1, and Wednesday, Dec. 2. Doors open at 6 p.m. The company lists tickets at $40 to $60, sold only through the Music Hall.

When is A Christmas Carol at the Dock Street Theatre?

Charleston Stage’s A Christmas Carol, adapted by Julian Wiles, runs Sunday, Nov. 29, to Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026, at the Dock Street Theatre.

When is the Charleston Symphony’s Holiday Pops?

Holiday Pops with Broadway singer Cheyenne Jackson is at the Gaillard Center at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 17 and 18, and at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.

Is there a free night of the Charleston Christmas Special?

The Charleston Music Hall lists a Kids Free Night of Brad and Jennifer Moranz’s Charleston Christmas Special at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. Check the Music Hall’s page for the terms.

Which holiday shows are for adults only?

The Gaillard’s Spiegeltent show, Cabaret Royale, is recommended for 18 and over, and Footlight Players calls Who’s Holiday an R-rated comedy.