Short & sweet · Symphony Hall, Boston · Dec 6–24
Holiday Pops Kids' Matinees
About an hour with no intermission, at 11am on Dec 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 23 and 24. Everyone needs a ticket (under-2s free by phone request).
Official BSO pageHoliday season
Kids' holiday shows near Boston.
A holiday show is a lovely tradition, but tickets go fast and some shows run two hours. For little ones, look for the short kids' matinees and the sensory-friendly performances below.
Guide reviewed October 27, 2026. Check each theater's own page for showtimes and prices.
Sensory-friendly · Symphony Hall · Sat Dec 5
Holiday Pops Sensory-Friendly Concert
A 60-minute concert at 10:30am with lower volume and a quiet room, for families with children or adults with autism or sensory sensitivities.
Official BSO pageBallet · Citizens Opera House, Boston · Nov 27 – Dec 31
Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker
The big classic, about two hours with one intermission. A sensory-friendly performance is on Friday, December 4 at 1:30pm, with quiet spaces available.
Official Nutcracker pageBallet · Shubert Theatre, Boston · Dec 12–20
Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker
Boston's own multicultural Nutcracker, with weekend matinees. Tickets start at $29 at the box office.
Official Boch Center pageBallet · Melrose Memorial Hall · Dec 4–6
Melrose Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker
A hometown Nutcracker danced by local young dancers, with Saturday and Sunday matinees. Tickets go on sale November 1.
Melrose Youth BalletMusic & dance · Sanders Theatre, Cambridge · Dec 11–28
Christmas Revels
Songs, dances and stories for the winter solstice, with matinees on many days, including vacation week. Student and child tickets cost less.
Official Revels pageFamily musical · Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston · Nov 14 – Dec 13
Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo
A family musical. Check the theater's age guidance, running time and individual performance dates before booking.
Official season pageHoliday play · Greater Boston Stage Company, Stoneham · Nov 27 – Dec 20
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
The holiday classic staged as a 1940s radio broadcast. $6 Card to Culture tickets are available for EBT cardholders.
Official show page