Embrace the Season with these Festive Shows (What’s On – December)
What’s On – December 2019
If you’ve binged all those cheesy holiday movies on Netflix, and are looking for some fun, why don’t you step out and explore what our amazing city has on offer. There are many activities across Southeast Queensland to make your holidays shine and have you bopping along with all sorts of festive cheer. From naughty Christmas cabarets to symphonies full of spirit to enchanted gardens and millennial celebrations, browse below to check out the wide variety of entertainment showing this December.
From our Haus to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season – now book those tickets!
‘Symphonic Santa’ (QPAC, Southbank)
7 December 2019; 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM & 1:30 PM
Kick off your festive season with Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s family Christmas show! Join Sneezy the Reindeer and Izzy the Elf as they help Santa and Mrs Claus get ready for Christmas. There will be mischief, merriment, and lots of great music! Featuring familiar festive favourites and some new works too, children will be delighted as well-known tunes are brought to life by the Orchestra.
‘Christmas Actually’ (La Boite Theatre Co, Kelvin Grove)
27 November – 7 December 2019; Various Show Times
Relive the magic musical moments from your favourite festive film including smash hit songs by Mariah Carey, Joni Mitchell, and The Beatles, brought to life by a band of Australia’s top musicians and superstar vocalists. Bursting with nativity lobsters (yes, more than one), cinnamon sticks and endless fun, ‘Christmas Actually’ is the ultimate silly season starter. Starring Queensland’s first lady of song Naomi Price, ‘Christmas Actually’ delivers all the hits from beloved holiday classic Love Actually wrapped up with a sprig of holly and The Little Red Company’s trademark comedy and charm.
‘The Enchanted Garden’ (Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane)
29 November – 13 December 2019; Between 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Last Entry at 9:15 PM)
This Christmas, journey through ‘The Enchanted Garden’ at Roma Street Parkland and experience one of Brisbane’s largest lighting displays. Set amid winding pathways bordered by towering trees and lush foliage, ‘The Enchanted Garden’ treats visitors to a magnificent evening walk, lit with the warm glow of mesmerising lights.
‘Jingle Bells Suck’ (Ad Astra, Fortitude Valley)
29 November – 14 December 2019; 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM.
You know how every Christmas movie is a feelgood movie about families…. this is not one of those. Young adults have very different stories to tell and this play throws them all together. Ten young people’s lives interact and collide as they try to deal with the turmoils, the trouble and the tragedies that the Christmas season brings.
‘A Very Naughty Christmas’ (Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm)
5 – 14 December 2019; Various Show Times
Santa’s pulled a brand-new show out of his sack, and you’ll find something you love, whether you’ve been naughty or nice. Featuring a live band and six sexy performers this is the holiday comedy show you didn’t know you had to see. With Christmas hits like you’ve never heard them before this show is bound to get you into the holiday spirit.
‘A Very Kransky Christmas’ (Empire Theatre, Toowoomba)
14 December 2019; 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Cloistered in the old rickety family house in their home town of Esk in Queensland, the musical sisters’ traditional Christmas festivities have until now been shrouded in secrecy. For this very special season they let you into their world of eggnog, panty-hose and painted chokos. From Enya to Silent Night, Daft Punk to The Twelve Days Of Christmas, these dysfunctional sisters take family get-together to a new level. Come and join these off-the-wall siblings as they turn your Christmas into a stuffed ham.
‘A Christmas Carol’ (QPAC, Southbank)
29 November – 15 December 2019; 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Following its sell-out world premiere in December 2018, shake & stir’s award-winning production of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of compassion and forgiveness returns this Christmas, and is set to become an annual tradition cherished by families for years to come.
It’s Christmas Eve and Ebenezer Scrooge is spending his night like every other – hunched over his coals, counting his fortune and cursing the happiness of others – until a few unexpected visitors come knocking on his door…
‘Classic Christmas Cabaret’ (Moreton Bay Theatre Company, North Lakes)
13 – 15 December 2019; 7:30 PM, 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM
Enjoy a family friendly evening and sing-a-long at Moreton Bay Theatre Company’s festive cabaret event. With all your favourites, enjoy a merry night out and catch emerging talent for shows across one weekend only.
‘Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker’ (QPAC, Southbank)
13 – 21 December 2019; 1:30 PM, 6:30 PM & 7:30 PM
The tradition continues with this magical holiday classic, ‘The Nutcracker’. At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, little Clara finds herself embarking on the magical adventure of a lifetime when her gift, a Nutcracker, comes to life! Be whisked away with Clara, to the enchanting Land of Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy watches over whimsical snowflakes and pirouetting lollies.
For the seventh straight season, Ben Stevenson’s dreamlike choreography and Tchaikovsky’s enduring score will charm all ages. ‘The Nutcracker’ is the perfect festive ballet for the whole family to enjoy.
‘Spirit of Christmas’ (QPAC, Southbank)
20 – 21 December 2019; 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Join us for ‘Spirit of Christmas’ as we celebrate our 35th festive season with our traditional yuletide concerts in the grandeur of QPAC’s Concert Hall. Musical theatre stars Lucy Maunder (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Blake Bowden (The Book of Mormon) will join a host of special guests in uplifting song, beautifully supported by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the 200 glorious voices of the Spirit of Christmas Choir.
In this fast paced and ever changing world, QPAC’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’ is a chance to embrace the season and its enduring message of Peace, Love and Joy.
‘Jazz ‘n’ Jingle Christmas Show’ (Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point)
22 December 2019; 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
‘Jazz ‘n Jingle’ is a sparkling variety Christmas show featuring the wonderful talent we have among our own BJC personnel, when we pull them away from their hard behind-the-scenes work for the Club, to appear in our fun-filled jazzy Christmas Party. You know that BJC is in good hands when you see the fabulous array of talented entertainers who help run the Club … Melissa Western, Alan Western, Di Clark, Jan Lennard, Duncan Read, Irene McLeod, Alan Smith, Naomi Doessel, Neil Gracie and special guests John Hogan, Peter Vance, Pam Hodgson and Sunny Vicars. The brilliant young Red Lopez Trio will swing us through our final show before Christmas.
‘Gold Lotto City Hall Lights’ (King George Square, Brisbane)
6 – 24 December 2019; Light Shows starting at 7:30 PM and performing every 15 minutes until midnight.
‘The Gold Lotto City Hall Lights’ return with an enchanting, brand new story by celebrated Brisbane Children’s Author Samantha Wheeler. Taking place nightly, the playful Aussie Christmas tale comes to life via animation onto City Hall every 15 minutes. With its enchanting narrative and creative flair, this intricate lighting display has fast become a highlight of the festive season.
This is a FREE EVENT. Bookings not required.
