From the holiday classics to new shows sure to become classics, this holiday season in the Tennessee Valley is packed with shows. And we’ve got them all! From Huntsville Ballet’s The Nutcracker to Merrimack Hall’s The Four Bitchin’ Babes Present Jingle Babes, our holiday performing arts guide will get you through November and December without missing a single performance.

Nutcracker, A Yuletide Ballet

Organization: Alabama Youth Ballet

Dates and Times:

Friday, November 30th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 1st at 2pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 2nd at 2 pm

Location: New Lee Lyric Theater

Cost: Adults:$16; Students/Seniors/Military: $12; Groups Of 20 Or More: $14/$10

About the Show: Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre, under the artistic direction of David Herriott and Keren Gibb Hilliard, presents The Nutcracker, A Yuletide Ballet, in the holiday tradition that Huntsville has loved for over 40 years. From the moment the lights dim, you will be transported to a magical holiday wonderland filled with adorable children, dancing dolls, marching toy soldiers, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, and the delicious Land of Sweets.

Jingle Babes

Date: Thursday, December 6, 2012

Time: 7:30 – 9:30pm

Location: Merrimack Hall

Cost: Main Floor: $35 Adults; Graduated Seating: $30 Adults

Tickets: Purchase online here or by calling the box office at 256-534-6455

About the Show: They’re back again, and this time they’re decking the halls with songs and folly! The Four Bitchin’ Babes are an original “Babes Brand” of musical theater with a 20+ year career on-stage and in-studio, releasing multiple recordings and a full-length DVD. These four multi-talented gal pals, each a brilliant writer-musician-comedianne, share the stage filling it with luxurious harmonies and sophisticated comedy, creating an amazing evening of raucous delight.

A Christmas Carol

Organization: Fantasy Playhouse

Dates and Times:

Friday, December 7th at 7pm
Saturday, December 8th at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday, December 9th at 2pm and 7pm
Thursday, December 13th at 7pm
Friday, December 14th at 7pm
Saturday, December 15th at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday, December 16th at 2pm

Location: VBC Playhouse

Cost: $14 (for students 17 and under) & $20 for adults

Tickets: Purchase online here, by calling the box office at 256-539-6829 or at Fantasy Arts Center at 3312 Long Avenue in Huntsville Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

The Nutcracker

Organization: Huntsville Ballet Company

Dates and Times:

Friday, December 7th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 8th at 2:00 pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, December 9th at 1:00pm
Special Nutcracker Gone Wild show Sunday, December 9th at 5:00pm

Location: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC

Cost: Prices vary according to seats. Visit the Huntsville Ballet Company website for more information [spacer size=”0″]

Renaissance Theatre’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dates and Times:

December 7-8th at 7pm
December 9 & 16th at 2:30pm
December 13-15 at 7:00pm

Location: Renaissance Theatre

Cost: All tickets $14

Tickets: Purchase online here or by calling the box office at (256) 536-3117

About the Show: Learn the true meaning of Christmas as the rough around the edges Herdmans siblings take the lead in what everyone is sure to be the worst Christmas Pageant Ever. This play is fast-paced, funny, and full of kids, making it a great age-appropriate, kid approved holiday show. And it’s only about an hour long.

Nutcracker on Ice

Dates and Times:

December 7th and 8th at 7:00 pm

December 8th at 7:00pm and 2:00pm

December 9th at 2:00 pm

Location: Municipal Ice Complex

Cost: Adults: $12; Children/seniors: $8

Mandy Barnett’s Winter Wonderland

Date: Thursday, December 13, 2012

Time: 7:30 – 9:30pm

Location: Merrimack Hall

Cost: Main Floor: $30 Adults; Graduated Seating: $25 Adults

Tickets: Purchase online here or by calling the box office at 256-534-6455

About the Show: An uncompromising singer whose style is rooted in the classic country of Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, and Brenda Lee, Mandy Barnett’s keen interpretive sense enables her to delve into a song, study the intricacies of its emotional content, and render a powerful performance through her full-bodied voice. Her torchy delivery on her contemporary yet retro-sounding country and pop-tinged material harkens back to the likes of all-time great female singers and timeless sounds. She returns to Merrimack Hall for a performance of her holiday album, Winter Wonderland.

Grissom High School’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Organization: Grisson High School Theater

Dates and Times:

December 13th and 14th at 7pm

Location: Grissom High School Auditorium

Cost: All seats are general admission and cost $5

Tickets: Will be sold online closer to the show, or at the door the night of the show.

About the Show: Join in all the Christmas fun as the Herdman siblings take over their local Christmas pageant- without even knowing the Christmas story. Will it be a disaster or the best pageant ever?

XXXmas Party

Date: Friday, December 14th

Time: 9 – 11:30pm

Location: Flying Monkey

Tickets: Admission is $5 and are available at the door.

About the Show: Aunt Sofonda Peters of the Posey Peep Show and the Wrong Brothers host a festive array of naughty and nice performances and musical guests at 9pm in the Flying Monkey Arts theatre on the second floor of Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment.