The holidays come alive on stage with performances that capture the spirit of the season. From the timeless magic of The Nutcracker at IU Auditorium, to the heartwarming charm of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown by Constellation Stage + Screen, and the high-energy harmonies of Straight No Chaser, Bloomington’s theaters are ready to make your holidays shine.
Singing Hoosiers Fall Concert
Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Location: Auer Hall
Admission: $27.00 per ticket for regular, $12.00 per ticket for children and students
With this concert, IU’s famous Grammy-nominated show choir winds up its seventy-fifth-anniversary celebration. Though this hugely popular ensemble continues to delight audiences around the globe, it can’t wait to show off for its beloved home crowd this fall.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Date: Various dates in November
Time: Various times
Location: Waldron Arts Center
Admission: $18.00-$33.00 per ticket
An hour of joy, humor, and timeless Peanuts magic! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole Peanuts gang in the heartwarming and hilarious musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! This timeless classic brings the beloved comic strip to life with laugh-out-loud moments, memorable songs, and a big dose of charm. Fun for all ages! Sensory-friendly performance on Nov.16th!
The Nutcracker
Date: Friday, December 5, Saturday, December 6, Sunday, December 7, Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13
Time: December 5, 12 & 13 at 7:30 PM, December 6, 7 & 13 at 2:00 PM
Location: Musical Arts Center
Admission: $27.00-$62.00 per ticket
This updated, stereotype-shattering version of this most popular ballet tells the story from the perspective of curious young Marie. With the help of her Aunt Drosselmeyer, Marie learns to unleash the power of her imagination to take the audience with her on a wild adventure.
The Singing Hoosiers Present Holiday Chimes
Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $22.00-$46.00 per ticket
Kick off the holiday season with Bloomington’s favorite winter tradition! The Singing Hoosiers Present Holiday Chimes comes to IU Auditorium for two performances and is sure to be full of festive cheer and musical brilliance.
Stay Gold with Quarryland Men's Chorus
Date: Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7
Time: Saturday 7:30 PM & Sunday 3:00 PM
Location: First United Church
Admission: $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for students with ID, and children 17 and under are free
Come enjoy the sounds of the season with the Quarryland Men's Chorus. Delight in traditional favorites made new and enjoy friendship and community with your local LGBTQ+ chorus.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Date: Tuesday, December 9
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $59.00-$80.00 per ticket
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for 40 years! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound and will bring this show to Bloomington this upcoming holiday season. The program includes 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects—capturing the spirit of the season in an immersive yet intimate setting.
A Christmas Story the Musical
Date: Various dates in December and January starting Thursday, December 11
Time: Various times
Location: Waldron Arts Center
Admission: $25.00-$59.00 per ticket
This holiday season, join Ralphie Parker on his hilarious quest for the perfect Christmas gift! Based on the beloved 1983 film, A Christmas Story the Musical brings laughter, nostalgia, and holiday cheer to life with unforgettable moments like the infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare gone wrong. From the songwriting team behind Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman, this delightful holiday musical is a joyous celebration of Christmas, family, and childhood dreams!
Straight No Chaser
Date: Thursday, December 11
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $34.00-$88.00 per ticket
Straight No Chaser is back, returning to IU Auditorium as part of its Holiday Road tour, serving up an all-you-can-eat buffet of holiday music (with none of the calories). The nine-man act of Walter Chase, Jerome Collins, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Steve Morgan, Jasper Smith, Luke Bob Robinson, Tyler Trepp, and Freedom Young has served as a festive blend of harmonious voices for more than 25 years. Even though the group has been together for a quarter of a century, the thrill of performing holiday songs for old and new fans alike is not lost on them, especially when they return to Bloomington, where it all began.
Bloomington Christmas Sing-Along
Date: Friday, December 12
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Trinity Reformed Church
Admission: Free
For more than 18 years, the Bloomington Christmas Sing-Along has been a tradition in our community. A unique, free, family-friendly event where you'll hear Christmas arrangements, both classic and new. Local musicians and churches join forces with a children's choir and students from the Jacob's School of Music. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind experience featuring an eclectic variety of musical styles. Afterwards, indulge in delicious cookies and hot cocoa. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Another Round's Winter Concert
Date: Friday, December 12
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $24.00 for general admission, $18.00 for seniors, $12.00 for students
Another Round is Indiana University’s premier all-male a cappella group. Established in 1996, Another Round has entertained audiences in Bloomington and beyond for three decades! By pairing their rich harmonies with their signature sense of humor, Another Round puts their audiences in the middle of a truly unique entertainment experience. Their chemistry and showmanship leave you with a feeling of hometown charm unique to the group’s beloved Bloomington, Indiana. Join us for a night of music you will not forget!
Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays
Date: Saturday, December 13
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $36.00-$52.00 per ticket
An evening of music, stories, and holiday cheer. Jon returns to the stage with his signature blend of heartfelt songwriting, masterful piano playing, and soaring vocals — this time joined by a few very special guests for a festive, one-of-a-kind concert.
The Nutcracker by International Ballet Stars
Date: Wednesday, December 17
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $41.30-72.07per ticket
A holiday tradition – reinvented. Celebrate the season with The Nutcracker, a ballet that brings joy, wonder, and imagination to life for audiences of all ages. This dazzling production features all-new, hand-painted sets and over 200 exquisite costumes. Tchaikovsky’s beloved score is performed alongside iconic choreography – including “Waltz of the Snowflakes”, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, and “Waltz of the Flowers”. With a cast of world-renowned ballet artists from 12 countries, this Nutcracker is more than a performance – it’s a celebration of global talent and timeless holiday magic. With more than 10 years of experience presenting internationally acclaimed productions, Classical Arts Entertainment is proud to share this artistic journey with communities across North America.
