Looking for Christmas concerts or Nutcracker performances near you? Polk County is full of festive live shows that capture the magic of the season. Whether you love the elegance of The Nutcracker Ballet, the joy of a community Christmas concert, or the sparkle of a holiday musical, there’s something for every family to enjoy this year.
From Lakeland’s Polk Theatre and RP Funding Center to Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, and Theatre Winter Haven, you’ll find holiday plays, orchestra performances, Nutcracker ballets, and choral concerts that bring Christmas classics to life.
Many local church and community performances are free, making it easy to celebrate the season together without spending much. These family-friendly events are a wonderful way to make memories, support local performers, and enjoy the most magical time of year.
Mom Tip: Tickets to a holiday show make a thoughtful experience-based Christmas gift!
A full list of upcoming events can be viewed on our Calendar Page.
★ New for 2025 ★
Printable Holiday Planner + Christmas Lights Guide
Want an easier, more magical holiday season?
Our 2025 Printable Holiday Planner and Christmas Lights Guide bundle includes 50+ easy-to-use pages of local events, can’t-miss activities, Christmas light displays, planning tools, scavenger hunts, memory-making ideas, and more — all beautifully designed and ad-free.
Perfect for saving to your phone or printing to take along — your cheerful companion for the busy month ahead.
Christmas Concerts + Nutcracker Ballet Performances
Past Christmas Concerts + Nutcracker Ballet Performances – Check Back for Updates
November 2025
Tunes by the Lake at Colt Creek State ParkExpiredFeatured
Lakeland Concert Band Veteran Concert (FREE)Expired
Lake Wales LiveExpired
Annie The Musical at Theatre Winter HavenExpired
Cirque Dreams HolidazeExpired
December 2025
Glory of Christmas Concert at First Presbyterian ChurchExpired
Forever Plaid: Plaid TidingsExpired
Southeastern University Christmas ConcertExpired
Southeastern University Christmas ConcertExpired
The Nutcracker Ballet – International Ballet of FloridaExpiredFeatured
Christmas Concert at Faith Baptist ChurchExpired
Lake Wales Chorale Holiday ConcertExpired
Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. at Lakeland Community TheatreExpired
Music of the Season at Harrison School for the ArtsExpired
Florida Southern College Christmas Gala ConcertExpired
Sounds of Christmas on IceExpired
Music of the Season at Harrison School for the ArtsExpired
Polk State College Holiday JazzExpired
Lakeland Concert Band Winter Concert (FREE)Expired
Lakeland Choral Society presents “Joyful Sounds of the Season”Expired
The Sights and Sounds of Christmas at First United Methodist ChurchExpired
Joy to the World! A Sacred CelebrationExpired
‘Tis the Season Holiday Concert + Santa StorytimeExpired
Christmas at the OpryExpiredFeatured
The Nutcracker – Florida Dance ArtsExpired
Lakeland Symphony Orchestra – Toast to the HolidaysExpired
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on StringsExpired
Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The BeatlesExpired
Looking for more holiday magic? Don’t miss the 2025 Lakeland + Polk County Christmas Guide — your go-to list for parades, Santa photos, Christmas lights, concerts, craft fairs, and all things merry and bright this season.
★ NEW for 2025! Grab our Printable Holiday Guides (Christmas Lights Guide + Holiday Activities Planner) to print or save to your phone — no ads, no scrolling, all your holiday fun in one festive guide. Holiday planning made easy!
2025 Christmas Plays in Winter Haven
Forever Plaid — Plaid Tidings
This year’s holiday stage favorite is Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings, a feel-good musical comedy at Theatre Winter Haven. The beloved “Plaids” — Francis, Jinx, Smudge, and Sparky — return to Earth for one more harmony-filled performance packed with Christmas classics, witty humor, and nostalgic charm. Expect festive favorites “Plaid-erized” with the group’s signature style, a zany three-minute take on The Ed Sullivan Show, and even a “Plaid Caribbean Christmas” to keep audiences smiling from start to finish.
- Select dates from December 4 – 21, 2025
- Theatre Winter Haven – west entrance of Chain O’ Lakes Park (Cypress Gardens Blvd & Hwy 17).
2025 Christmas Performances in Tampa Bay
Benchmark Arena (Amalie Arena/Ice Palace) – Tampa
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve — December 14, 2025
• More Info + Tickets
The Straz Center – Tampa
• A Christmas Story: The Musical — Nov 28–30, 2025
• Handel’s Messiah — Dec 5, 2025
• A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin — Dec 4, 2025 (holiday special event)
• More Info + Tickets
Mahaffey Theater – St. Pete
• Handel’s Messiah – The Florida Orchestra — Dec 6, 2025
• Vienna Light Orchestra – The Light of Christmas — Dec 10, 2025
• Frozen in Concert (Live with The Florida Orchestra) — Dec 13, 2025
• Holiday Pops – The Florida Orchestra — Dec 20, 2025
• A Very Broadway Christmas — Dec 21, 2025
• More Info + Tickets
Holiday Performances in Clearwater – Ruth Eckerd Hall & Capitol Theatre
• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis — Nov 13, 2025
• RAIN: A Beatles Christmas Tribute — Nov 21, 2025
• Lady A – This Winter’s Night Tour — Dec 6, 2025
• Trisha Yearwood – Christmas Symphony — Dec 11, 2025
• Sarah Brightman – A Winter Symphony — Dec 12, 2025
• Michael W. Smith Christmas — Dec 13, 2025
• Rockapella Christmas — Dec 20, 2025
• More Info + Tickets
2025 Christmas Performances in Orlando
Dr. Phillips Center – Orlando
• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis — Nov 15, 2025
• Handel’s Messiah – The Messiah Choral Society — Nov 16, 2025
• Christmas Vacation: Conversation with Chevy Chase — Nov 21, 2025
• Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker — Nov 22, 2025
• Sarah Brightman: A Winter Symphony — Dec 7, 2025
• The Light of Christmas – Vienna Light Orchestra — Dec 14, 2025
• Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road — Dec 27, 2025
• More Info + Tickets
Mom Tip: If you’re heading to Tampa or Orlando for one of these concerts, make it a full day trip! Pair your show with a stroll through festive Christmas lights or a special holiday event nearby.
Check out our guides for ideas:
• Christmas Events in Tampa Bay
• Christmas Events in Orlando
Interested in having your event included here? Submit a listing or contact us for details.
Christmas Events + Holiday Activities
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Events + Holiday Activities to find more things to do including Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, FREE Christmas Events, Santa Photos, Christmas Parades, and more.
