CELEBRATE THE SEASON

Festive Holiday Performances & Entertainment for All

by Morgan Cole

Tis the season for carols, Sugar Plum Fairies, flying reindeer and more. Whether you’re already feeling the holiday spirit or need a little extra push to help get you into the mood, there are plenty of dazzling holiday performances and concert events occurring throughout the city to help bring out the Christmas cheer.

From kid-friendly and grandma-pleasing productions to classical and campy concerts, we have brought you details on some of our favorite local holiday entertainment events happening in and around the area.

UWF Department of Theatre presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical

December 2-4 & December 9-11 This comedic production takes you to Armadillo Acres (North Florida’s premier mobile-living community) where everyone is filled with Christmas spirit and beer. When a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park's resident scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test. Can the group rally to show Darlene the true meaning of Christmas? Can they take home the Mobile Homes and Gardens holiday decorating prize? It will be a cat-fightin’, chair-throwin’ good time — but with tinsel and Keg Nog. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in person at the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts Box Office located in building 82, by calling (850) 857-6285 or online at uwf.edu/tickets. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Performances are December 2-4 and December 9-11 with shows at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 pm on Sunday. For more information, visit uwf.edu. The Prophecy Show—The Music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

December 3 This powerhouse group of classically trained musicians has come together to bring you an electrifying evening of holiday rock at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on Saturday, December 3 at 7 pm. The Prophecy Show will perform all your favorite music from the worldfamous Trans-Siberian Orchestra. With more than 10 million albums sold, the original Trans-Siberian Orchestra has inspired generations of fans to rediscover the multi-dimensional art form of the rock opera. Tickets start at $58 and can be purchased in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola or online at ticketmaster. com. For complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr.

December 9 - 18 The holiday classic soars off the screen in this Broadway Junior, 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Holly Jolly Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. features all of your favorite characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can also be what makes you special. Performances will be held at 7:30 pm on Fridays and 2:30 pm on Sundays at the Pensacola Little Theatre located at 400 S. Jefferson Street in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Show!

December 9 - 11 If you’re looking for a new and exciting show to see this holiday season, Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Show! is one you won’t want to miss. Created as a modern alternative to holiday shows, this fast-paced cirque-style show is sure to captivate you. The show will feature holiday music and lively performances combined with stunning visual effects. Audience members will be captivated by holograms, projection mapping, interactive lasers, BMX daredevils and more. Featuring a talented cast of awardwinning cirque performers, daredevils, comedic actors, singers and specialty acts from across the world, Holiday Dreams is nothing like a traditional cirquestyle show. Holiday Dreams delivers a totally unique spectacle with additional performances that will include elves riding scooters and catapulting themselves off of ramps, extreme rollerbladers, acrobats diving off a giant trampoline wall, comedic performances and much more. For tickets and show details, visit ticketsmaster.com or pensacolasaenger.com. Pensacola Children’s Chorus presents Christmas on the Coast

December 9 - 11 Experience the holiday magic of Christmas on the Coast as members of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus transform the Pensacola Saenger Theatre into a winter wonderland. Presented annually, this cherished production has become a holiday tradition along the Gulf Coast. This year’s production will include a musically themed celebration of Christmas around the world, along with special guests Rudolph and Santa Claus. Experience the magic of the holiday season with this festive holiday production featuring dynamic choreography, dazzling costumes and lavish set designs that are sure to entertain. Tickets start at $14 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit pensacolasings.org.

Ballet Pensacola presents The Nutcracker

December 16–18 To put you in the holiday spirit, Ballet Pensacola invites you to come celebrate the magic of The Nutcracker at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre December 16-18. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beautifully timeless score, join Clara as she embarks on a magical journey through glistening snowflakes, toy soldiers, mice-filled battlefields and delicious festivities in the Land of the Sweets as she and the Nutcracker Prince defeat the evil Mouse King. This timeless holiday tale is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office. For tickets and show details, visit balletpensacola.org. White Tie Rock Ensemble presents A White Tie Christmas!

December 18 Kick off the holiday season with this family friendly holiday tribute concert featuring the White Tie Rock Ensemble on Saturday, December 18 at 8 pm at the Pensacola Bay Center in downtown Pensacola. This annual concert series will feature the beloved music of TransSiberian Orchestra, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, the Eagles and other holiday classics—all presented through the White Tie Rock Ensemble’s legendary symphonic-rock style and captivating multimedia music experience. Tickets start at $16 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. The show begins at 8 pm. Follow @whitetierockensemble on Facebook for more details.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents Celebrate The New Year

December 31 Ring in the new year with unforgettable music from Broadway’s biggest hits, including Wicked, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and more. Broadway vocal stars Mamie Parris, Madison Claire Parks and Bronson Norris Murphy will join Maestro Peter Rubardt and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for this upbeat and lively tradition. This special New Year’s Eve concert will be held December 31 at 7 pm at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. Audience members will enjoy this variety of lively hits from some of the greatest names in music such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at ticketsmaster.com or in-person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola. For complete performance details, visit pensacolasymphony.com.