Stage & Dance

Kentucky holiday calendar: Nutcrackers, Messiahs, Charlie Brown and Cirque

By Blake Hannon Contributing writer

What does it take to kick off the holiday season? For some people, it could be a classic Christmas theatre production, the sounds of a choir singing carols or an iconic Russian ballet synonymous with the season. For other people, all it takes is a train ride, a tree lighting or throwing on a pair of ice skates and hitting the rink.

You will find these options and a whole lot more happenings by checking out our holiday calendar.

Dance

Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”

7 p.m. Nov. 30. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. 859-257-4929. SCFAtickets.com. $29-$175.

Christmas in Cairo

8 p.m. Nov. 30. Clark-Todd Hall. Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $20.

“The Nutcracker”

7 p.m. Dec. 4-6. Dec. Mountain Arts Center, 50 Hal Rogers Dr., Prestonsburg. Macarts.com. $12-$14

Hana Johnson, right, plays Clara, Jorge Barani is Cavalier and Kelsey Van Tine is the Sugar Plum Fairy in Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s 2017 production of “The Nutcracker.”
Hana Johnson, right, plays Clara, Jorge Barani is Cavalier and Kelsey Van Tine is the Sugar Plum Fairy in Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s 2017 production of “The Nutcracker.” Kentucky Ballet Theatre

Lexington Ballet: “The Nutcracker”

2 p.m. Dec. 13 (school show, grades 1-12). $6 (every 21st ticket free). Reservations made online. 2, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. EKU Center for the Arts, One Hall Dr., Richmond. EKUcenter.com. $29-$49

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

Dec. 14-21. Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. Louisvilleballet.org. $40-$130

Kentucky Ballet Theatre: “The Nutcracker”

2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 21, 2 p.m. Dec. 15, 22. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. 859-252-5245. Kyballet.com. $26-$38.

Bluegrass Youth Ballet: “The Nutcracker In One Act”

7 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. 859-257-4929. SCFAtickets.com. $15-$20.

Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”

3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23. Louisville Memorial Auditorium, 970 S. Fourth St., Louisville. 502-584-4911. Louisvillememorialauditorium.com. Tickets start at $29.

Music

BJO’s Kentucky Opry Christmas

Nov. 30-Dec. 21. Mountain Arts Center, 50 Hal Rogers Dr., Prestonsburg. Macarts.com. $10-$14.

Louisville Orchestra Presents: Holiday Pops

8 p.m. Nov. 30. Whitney Hall. Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $27-$85

Louisville Orchestra Presents: Home For The Holidays

11 a.m. Nov. 30. Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $15.

33rd Advent Musicale

6:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Ascension Episcopal Church. 48 W. High St., Mount Sterling. GRACKentucky.org. $25

Charles Bertram

Louisville Orchestra Presents: Messiah

7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. Fifth St., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $35-$40.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories

7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. 859-233-3535. Rupparena.com. $49.50-$59.50.

A Season of Giving

7 p.m. Dec. 5. Carl H. Smith Auditorium, Kentucky State University, 400 E. Main St., Frankfort. $5, free for KSU students.

George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”

7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Christ Church Cathedral, 166 Market St. Emily Albrink, soprano; Ryland Angel, countertenor; Charles Reid, tenor; Curtis Streetman, bass; the Cathedral Choir; and the Lexington Baroque Ensemble. 859-280-2218. CCClex.org/messiah. $20-$40.

Country Christmas Concert

7 p.m. Dec. 6. Center for Rural Development, 2292 S. U.S. 27, Somerset. 606-677-6000. Centertech.com. $25, $15 children and students.

Louisville Orchestra Presents: Messiah

7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Second Presbyterian Church, 3701 Old Brownsboro Rd., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $35-$40.

Under the Streetlamp ‘Hip to the Holidays’

7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Norton Center for the Arts, 600 W. Walnut St., Danville. 859-236-4692. Nortoncenter.com. $25-$49.

Under the Streetlamp, founded by leading cast members of “Jersey Boys,” will bring a holiday-themed show to Danville, including doo-wop versions of favorites like “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Santa Bring My Baby Back,” “Run, Run, Rudolph,” and “Avé Maria.”
Under the Streetlamp, founded by leading cast members of “Jersey Boys,” will bring a holiday-themed show to Danville, including doo-wop versions of favorites like “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Santa Bring My Baby Back,” “Run, Run, Rudolph,” and “Avé Maria.” Photo provided

COLLAGE: A Holiday Spectacular presented by UK Choirs

2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. 859-257-4929. SCFAtickets.com. $15-$30.

Louisville Orchestra Presents: Messiah

7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. St. Michael Catholic Church, 3705 Stone Lakes Dr., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $35-$40.

Christmas Cantata

9:30 a.m. service Dec. 8. Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 2185 Garden Springs Dr. Glclex.org. Free.

VOICES of Kentuckiana: A Classic Christmas

5 p.m., Dec. 8. Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $15-$20

Louisville Orchestra Presents: Messiah

7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 1840 E. 8th St., Jeffersonville. Kentuckycenter.org. $35-$40.

Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show

7 p.m. Dec. 11. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. 859-257-4929. SCFAtickets.com. $20-$46.

An Acoustic Christmas With Over the Rhine

8 p.m. Dec. 12. Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Bomhard Theater., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $25-$35.

The Soul of Christmas - Motown Christmas 2019

7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14 p.m. Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. 3rd St., Lexingtonlyric.com, $30

Erich Balling conducted the Cathedral Choir and Lexington Baroque Ensemble in the 2015 performance of “Messiah” at the Christ Church Cathedral.
Erich Balling conducted the Cathedral Choir and Lexington Baroque Ensemble in the 2015 performance of “Messiah” at the Christ Church Cathedral. Christ Church Cathedral

Lexington Philharmonic presents “A Cathedral Christmas”

8 p.m. Dec. 14. Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd. 859-233-4226. Lexphil.org. $30-$80.

The Soul of Christmas - Motown Christmas 2019

3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. kentuckyperformingarts.org. $37.50 to $57.50

Lexington ‘Messiah’ Community Sing-Along

7 p.m. Dec. 15. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2459 Sir Barton Way. Lexingtonmessiah.org. Free.

16th Annual Jazzy Holiday

7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. 859-257-4929. SCFAtickets.com. $4-$10.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

7 p.m. Dec. 18, Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. 859-233-3535. Rupparena.com. $23-$102.

Hoppy Holidaze featuring The Local Honeys and Friends Holidays

8 p.m. Dec. 20. The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. Theburlky.com. $15.

New Year’s Eve: Mardi Gras in New Orleans

7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Lexington Opera House, 401 West Short Street. 859-233-4567. Lexingtonoperahouse.com. $50-$100.

Special Events

Unified Trust Co. Ice Rink

Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St. 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., 1:30-9 p.m. Sun; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. when school is out. Fee for 90 minutes on the ice $12, includes skate rental. Open through mid-January. Triangleparklexington.org.

From left, Asbury University students Michaih Li of Guangzhou, China; Dominic D’Ettorre, Tricia Taylor and Josh Hou, all of Wilmore; and Julia Conley of Smithfield., Va., skated Dec. 6 on the Unified Trust Co. ice rink at Triangle Park in downtown Lexington in 2017.
From left, Asbury University students Michaih Li of Guangzhou, China; Dominic D’Ettorre, Tricia Taylor and Josh Hou, all of Wilmore; and Julia Conley of Smithfield., Va., skated Dec. 6 on the Unified Trust Co. ice rink at Triangle Park in downtown Lexington in 2017. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill

Mustard Seed Hill, 1122 Main Street, Millersburg. Free. Open through Jan. 4, lights on 5:30 to 11 p.m. with Christmas Market, Hospitality Tent with items for sale and Gingerbread House Display in historic Allen House, $5. 859-685-2190 mustardseedhill.events/christmas/

Holiday Art Market

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7. Scott County Arts & Cultural/Welcome Center, 117 N. Water St., Georgetown. 502-570-8366. Artsandculturalcenter.org. $10.

Christmas Tea Room

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7. Harrodsburg Historical Society, 220 S Chiles St., Harrodsburg. 859-734-5985. Harrodsburghistorical.org. Free.

Illuminated Evenings

5-8 p.m. Dec. 7, 14, 21. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg. Shakervillageky.org. $5.

Southern Lights

5:30-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Nov. 29 through Dec. 31. Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. 859-255-5727. Kyhorsepark.com. $20 per car of up to 7 people Mon.-Thu., $25 Fri.-Sun.

Christmas Market at Michler’s

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7, 11a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 8. Michler’s Greenhouse, 417 E. Maxwell St. Free parking available at 446 E. High St.. Look for Kentucky Native Café sign. Michlers.com.

The halls of Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, are decked for Christmas candlelight tours, from 2105.
The halls of Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, are decked for Christmas candlelight tours, from 2105. Matt Goins Herald-Leader

Ashland’s 2019 Christmas Candlelight Tours

5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 8, 12, 14. Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Rd. Henryclay.org.$10-$18

Winchester Christmas Parade

6 p.m. Dec. 7. Main St., Winchester. 859-737-0923. Free.

Polar Express Holiday Event

Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 7. Gateway Regional Art Center. 101 E. Main St., Mount Sterling. GRACKentucky.org. $5 each, $20 for families of 4 or more.

Santa waved to the crowd as his float made its way down Main Street Tuesday night in Lexington’s annual Christmas parade in 2018.
Santa waved to the crowd as his float made its way down Main Street Tuesday night in Lexington’s annual Christmas parade in 2018. Matt Goins 2018 file photo

Lexington Christmas Parade

11 a.m. Dec. 7. Main St. from Midland Ave. to Mill St. Downtownlex.com.

Christmas Candlelight Tours

6-9 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 13-17. Ward Hall, 1782 Frankfort Rd, Georgetown. 502-863-5356. Wardhall.net. $5-$7.

YMCA of Central Kentucky Reindeer Ramble 5k/10k Run/Fun Walk

9 a.m. Dec. 7. Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Rd. YMCAcky.org/ramble. Individual registration $25-$30. Santapede teams $120, $200.

Santa Claus Train Ride

11 a.m. Dec. 7, 14; 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15. Bluegrass Railroad Museum, 175 Beasley Rd., Versailles. 859-873-2476. BGRM.org. $15-$22.

Christmas at the MAC

6 p.m. Dec. 9. Mountain Arts Center, 50 Hal Rogers Dr., Prestonsburg. Macarts.com Includes a free photo with Santa.

Christmas Ball

6-9 p.m. Dec. 14. Frankfort Downtown YMCA. 402 W. Broadway St. Frankfort. ymcacky.org/events/christmas-ball. Free to the public.

Santa’s Workshop: See Santa at The Summit

Through Dec. 23. Summit at Fritz Farm, Nicholasville Rd. and Man o’ War Blvd. Thesummitatfritzfarm.com.

Santa at Fayette Mall

Through Dec. 24 in the Dillard’s Court, Fayette Mall, 3401 Nicholasville Road. Special events includ Pet Nights, Storytime, Ice Princess Night, Big Blue Santa and more. Shopfayette-mall.com.

Theater

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

2 p.m. Nov. 30, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7; 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. $25 adults, $20 children. Lctonstage.org.

“The Twelve Dates of Christmas”

8 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 6, 7, 14, 20, 21. 2 p.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Woodford Theatre, 275 Beasley Rd., Versailles. 859-873-0648. Woodfordtheatre.com. $15-$22.

Mrs. and Mr. Fezzywig (Kellie Sherwood and Jacob Karnes) get their Christmas Party started in this 2016 production at UK.
Mrs. and Mr. Fezzywig (Kellie Sherwood and Jacob Karnes) get their Christmas Party started in this 2016 production at UK. Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com

“A Christmas Carol”

7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. EKU Center for the Arts, One Hall Dr., Richmond. $25-$55. 2 p.m. Dec. 4 (school show, grades 1-12). $6 (every 21st ticket free). Reservations made online. EKUcenter.com

Bluegrass Theatre Guild presents “A Christmas Story”

7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. The Grand Theatre, 308 St. Clair St., Frankfort. 502-352-7469. Grandtheatrefrankfort.org. $12, $15.

“A Christmas Carol”

7 p.m. Dec. 5-7, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Russ Mobley Theater, Alumni Building, Campbellsville University, 1 University Drive, Campbellsville. townhallpro.com/theater-film $5-$10

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

2 and 5 p.m., Dec. 7, 14, 21. Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $15-$20

“A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage”

1:30 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15, Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway, Louisville. Kentuckycenter.org. $25-$55

“A Christmas Carol”

Through Dec. 23. Actors Theatre of Louisville Pamela Brown Auditorium, 316 W Main St., Louisville. 502-584-1205. Actorstheatre.org. from $29.

“The Santaland Diaries”

Through Dec. 23. Actors Theatre of Louisville Victor Jory Theatre, 316 W Main St., Louisville. 502-584-1205. Actorstheatre.org. from $24, depending on show date.

This story was originally published November 28, 2019 at 7:58 AM.

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW