Not feeling the Christmas vibe? Here are some South Florida yuletide shows to help get you there

It’s the weather.

No matter how hard you yearn for yuletide, it can be a little tricky to cuddle up to the Christmas spirit here in the subtropics where a December cold snap means highs of 70 degrees. (Brrrr … says the rest of the country in a sarcastic Grinchy tone.)

So if you need a little help getting merry, here’s a list of holiday-themed musicals, ballets, plays, concerts and other shows that have come to sleigh in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Through Dec. 22 — “Wonderland” at The LOOP will have lots of movie screenings, vendor markets, tribute shows, craft workshops, but there will also be holiday performances from the likes of jazz combo Ginetta’s Vendetta, reggae pop band The Holidazed, DJ Jason (karaoke), jazz duo The Minx & The Maestro and children’s sing-along artist Miss Tracy. Admission is free. Showtimes vary at The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park), 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale (954-828-2690; theloopflb.com).

Through Dec. 22 —  The Holiday Music Showcase at the Galleria Fort Lauderdale is a series of live performances featuring local carolers, ensembles and bands. Admission is free. Showtime is 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the mall, 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale (954-564-1036; galleriamall-fl.com/events-promotions).

Through Dec. 14 — TruckStop Sally’s XXXMas Sex Party is a gay-licious, adults-only comedy with nudity and sexual situations. Tickets are $27.50 to $53.50. Showtimes vary at The Foundry, 2306 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors (954-826-8790; ronnielarsen.com).

Dec. 7-8, 14, 20 — Holiday entertainment at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens will include performances throughout December from First Act Youth Vocal Ensemble, Char-Mar School of Dance, Dance Theater of Florida, The Paris Ballet and Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Admission is free. Showtimes vary at The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens (561-775-7750; thegardensmall.com).

Dec. 5 — “Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays” spotlights four Broadway singers (made famous by five PBS TV specials) performing doo-wop, Motown and rock ‘n’ roll versions of holiday radio hits such as “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Santa Bring My Baby Back.” Tickets are $39.50 to $124.50. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; parkerplayhouse.com).

Dec. 5 — Levi Kreis’ “Home for The Holidays” brings the Tony Award-winning Broadway star of “Million Dollar Quartet,” “Rent” and “Hadestown” to town with Christmas classics. Tickets are $45-$65. Showtime is 8 p.m. at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; browardcenter.org).

Dec. 6 — Country music artist David Nail will bring his A Campfire Christmas Tour, with guest Jacob Tolliver, to South Florida. Tickets are $45 to $65. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at The Studio at Mizner Park, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton (561-203-3742; thestudioatmiznerpark.com).

Dec. 6-8 — Ballet Palm Beach presents “The Nutcracker” is a Christmas classic with tin soldiers, dancing snowflakes and, of course, a Nutcracker Prince. Tickets are $25 to $125. Showtimes vary at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (561-832-7469; kravis.org).

Dec. 7 —  The South Florida Symphony Orchestra will perform Part 1 of Handel’s “Messiah” and holiday pop favorites such as “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “The Dreidel Song.” Tickets are $45 to $115 at The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; southfloridasymphony.org). There’s also a Dec. 8 show in Miami Shores.

Dec. 7 — “Actor’s Rep Improv: Holiday Mixed Nuts!” is a Christmas-themed night of comedy improvisation. Tickets are $15. Showtime is 8 p.m. at Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop and Repertory, 1000 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach (561-833-7529; onthestage.com/search).

Dec. 7-8, 14-15 — “Who’s Holiday” is a one-woman comedy created by New York playwright and SoFlo snowbird Matthew Lombardo as an adults-only sequel to Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch.” It stars Sheba Mason (local stand-up comedian and daughter of comedy icon Jackie Mason) as a now-grown Cindy Lou Who who shares how her life has turned out since meeting the Grinch. Tickets are $35. Showtimes are 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale (954-678-1496; empirestage.com).

Dec. 6-22 — “The Last Christmas,” staged by New City Players, is the world premiere of local playwright Tyler Johnson Grimes’ newest work, which takes us to a radio show where call-ins from lonely listeners magically come to life. Tickets are $25 (students) and $40. Showtimes vary at Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors (954-376-6114; newcityplayers.org).

Dec. 8 — CityChurch’s Annual Lessons + Carols Service will present music and readings followed by a patio reception. Admission is free, but you must reserve a ticket. Showtime is 5:30 p.m. at Savor Cinema, 503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale (954-634-2489; citychurchftl.com/carols).

Dec. 8-10 — “Holiday Pops” with the Symphony of the Americas will be the debut of Luke Frazier, the principal Pops conductor, and will feature Sydney James Harcourt from “Hamilton,” Maureen McKay with the Metropolitan Opera and Hilary Morrow with The Second City at The Kennedy Center. Tickets are $40 to $90. Showtimes are 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, and 7:45 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 9-10, in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; sota.org).

Dec. 13 — Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “The Lost Christmas Eve” is the rock band’s over-the-top winter tour and the first time this yuletide show has been seen since 2013. Tickets start at $60. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise (954-835-7469; amerantbankarena.com).

Dec. 13 — Debbie Gibson’s “Winterlicious — An Evening of Holiday and Hits” brings the singer/songwriter/stage actor back to SoFlo to sing yuletide tunes as well as her pop-chart toppers. Tickets start at $45. Showtime is 8 p.m. at The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; parkerplayhouse.com).

Dec. 13-14 — Master Chorale of South Florida will present “Comfort & Joy”, to be performed in Pompano Beach first, then in Boca Raton. Tickets for both shows are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach, 2331 NE 26th Ave.; and 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton (954-641-2653; masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org).

Dec. 14 — The City of Weston Outdoor Holiday Pops Concert, featuring the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, will include favorites such as “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Ave Maria,” “The Dreidel Song” and, of course, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Admission is free but seating is limited, so bring lawn chairs or blankets. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. at Town Center Park Amphitheater, 1900 Bell Tower Lane, Weston (westonfl.org).

Dec. 16-17 — Broadway Tenors Holiday Show is more than a yuletide concert; it’s also an immersive multimedia theatrical show and a holiday-themed dinner. Tickets are $175 for adults and $75 for children. Dinner is at 6 p.m. both evenings at The Wick Theatre & Museum Club, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton (561-995-2333; thewick.org).

Dec. 17 — “A Holiday Extravaganza” will have performer Todrick Hall (Broadway’s “Kinky Boots” and “Chicago” and TV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Celebrity Big Brother”) joining the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida for their eighth annual holiday concert. Tickets are $61 to $156 (VIP package). Showtime is 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, 1 Seminole Way (954-797-5531; casino.hardrock.com).

Dec. 18-23 — “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” comes back with well-known tunes such as “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the classic 1966 animated TV movie. Tickets start at $45. Showtimes vary at Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; browardcenter.org).

Dec. 19 — “Nutcracker: Reimagined,” presented by the Kirova Dance Academy, will mix classical ballet with ballroom, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and acro dance styles. Tickets are $25 to $40. Showtime is 7 p.m. at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place (954-777- 2055; lauderhill-fl.gov).

Dec. 19-24 — “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” is a mix of Broadway-style musical and contemporary circus artistry as aerialists, acrobats and performers appear as reindeer, penguins, elves and jesters. Tickets are $29 to $125. Showtimes vary at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (561-832-7469; kravis.org).

Dec. 20-22 — Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida’s “The Nutcracker” is choreographed and staged by artistic director Vladimir Issaev. Tickets are $30 to $60. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and Saturday, Dec. 21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; parkerplayhouse.com). There are also shows Dec. 13 to 15 in Aventura.

Dec. 21-22 — “Holiday Stories” includes Christmas and Hanukkah narratives and poems for children and adults along with cookies and cocoa. Tickets are $10. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Palm Beach Institute for the Entertainment Arts, 115 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach (561-743-9955; pbinstituteforentertainmentarts.com).

Dec. 22 — Candlelight: Christmas Special is part of a series of concerts aimed at making classical music more accessible and this specific performance will include “The Nutcracker” and other holiday music performed by the Listeso String Quartet. Tickets are $54.50 and $65.50 ($36 tickets are sold out). Showtime is 8 p.m. at the Susan B. Katz Theatre of the Performing Arts (at Pembroke Pines Charter High School), 17195 Sheridan St. (954-890-1868; feverup.com).

Dec. 27 — “A Drag Queen Christmas” features a cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” female impersonators alumni. We don’t have the specific names yet, but we know the show (for 18+ only) will be hosted by Nina West. Tickets are $53.15 to $324.93 (superfan VIP experience). Showtime is 8 p.m. at Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive (954-344-5990; thecentercs.com). There’s also a show on Sunday, Dec. 29, in Miami Beach.

Dec. 28 — Jen Kramer’s “Magical Holiday Show” has a star who has made appearances on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” “Masters of Illusion,” NBC’s “Today Show,” and now she brings her signature sleight of hand to SoFlo in a Christmas-themed illusion show. Tickets start at $35. Showtime is 8 p.m. at The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale (954-462-0222; parkerplayhouse.com).

Dec. 29 — “The Nutcracker” presented by Grand Kyiv Ballet includes dancers from Ukraine. Tickets are $79 to $149. Showtime is 1 p.m. at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place (954-777- 2055; lauderhill-fl.gov).

Originally Published: December 5, 2024 at 8:54 AM EST