- Join “Mr. Christmas” (aka John Morris Russell) and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for Holiday Pops at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12, and 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at Music Hall (1241 Elm St.). Kids’ tickets are $10, adult ticket prices vary from $59 – $110. Visit cincinnatisymphony.org.
- Enjoy a fun, contemporary spin on the classic fairy tale as the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati presents Cinderella from Dec. 2 – Jan. 3 (1127 Vine St.). Tickets are $18 – $44. Visit ensemblecincinnati.org.
- Catch a one-night-only performance that brings to life the classic TV show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Head to the Aronoff Center (650 Walnut St.) on Dec. 9; tickets are $35 – $65. Visit cincinnatiarts.org.
- The Mason Dance Center presents The Nutcracker – All Jazzed Up in their 14th annual benefit performance to support the Mason High School After Prom. Two performances take place at 1 and 4 p.m. on Dec. 9 at William Mason High School (6100 S Mason Montgomery Road, Mason); tickets are $8. Visit nutcracker2015.eventbrite.com.
- Irving Berlin’s White Christmas comes to the Aronoff Center through Dec. 6 (650 Walnut St.), complete with classic songs, dancing and laughs. Tickets begin at $29. Visit cincinnati.broadway.com.
- UC Clermont’s Calico Children’s Theatre series continues with a holiday production of The Elves and the Shoemaker at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12 (4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia). Admission is $5 per person. Get the scoop on how to attend a FREE Breakfast With Santa, happening from 9 – 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 12! Visit ucclermont.edu.
- Take a sweet adventure with the Cincinnati Ballet and Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker (pictured above), coming to the Aronoff (650 Walnut St.) Dec. 18 – 27, with special Sugar Plum Parades on Dec. 23 and 26. (Photo by Peter Mueller of Jacqueline Damico as the Dancing Doll.) Tickets are $32 – $85. Visit cballet.org.
- Enjoy a favorite story this holiday as the Cincinnati Boychoir sings The Polar Express with a special surprise narrator. Performances take place at the Aronoff Center (650 Walnut St.) at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 3 p.m. Dec. 13; tickets are $10 – $30. Visit cincinnatiarts.org.
- You’ll shoot your eye out! It’s everyone’s favorite holiday story turned into a musical, thanks to LaComedia Dinner Theatre’s presentation of A Christmas Story, playing through Dec. 31 (765 W. Central Ave., Springboro). Prices range from $57 to $73 for adults, and $30 for ages 11 and younger. Call 937-746-4554 or visit lacomedia.com.
- Everyone’s favorite nanny takes the stage during the Covedale Center for Performing Arts’ Mary Poppins (4990 Glenway Ave.)! Performances run through Dec. 27, ticket prices vary. Call 513-241-6550 or visit cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.
- Celebrate the season with a family friendly production of Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas from the Ohio Stage Company. Performances take place Dec. 17 – 20 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts (101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton). Cost is $7 children, $12 adults. Call 513-863-8873 or visit fittoncenter.org.
- The Cincinnati Chamber Opera presents The Little Prince: A Magical Opera on Dec. 17 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (3711 Clifton Ave.). Tickets are $25 and are available at uptowncincinnati.com.
- The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (3711 Clifton Ave.) welcomes ArtReach for a performance of The Elves and the Shoemaker in their 2nd Sunday Family Showtime. Bring the kids for this story of good deeds rewarded on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 adults, free ages 0 – 12. Call 513-497-2860 or visit cliftonculturalarts.org.
- Celebrate Christmas with the Peanuts gang as The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati presents A Charlie Brown Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13, and 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Taft Theatre (317 E. Fifth St.). Tickets are $7 – $22. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com.
On Stage: 14 Special Performances
There are many festive performances that take place this month — everything from theater to ballet! It's a great way to spend the night on the town with the kids in the spirit of the holidays.