Your Guide To Brisbane’s Hottest Live Holiday Events
Tis’ the season for Christmas shows!
If you are on the hunt for the perfect live show to celebrate the silly season, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the finest Christmas productions by some of the best companies and creatives across South East Queensland. Whether you’re looking for a cultural experience for the whole family, a carol sing-a-long, or a festive night at the theatre, you’ll find something for everyone on this list.
Bonus tip: a ticket to any one of these fabulous productions would make a great early Christmas ticket for your theatre-going loved one (or yourself!).
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ – SHAKE ’N’ STIR THEATRE CO
Coming back for its fourth year at QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre, Brisbane-based shake & stir present their adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. This Christmas favourite tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable old man who detests Christmas-until he is visited by the ghosts of his past, present and future.
The production is set to be a spectacular visual experience, complete with live music and a cast of Queensland’s finest theatrical performers, this show is perfect for the whole family, not just fans of Dickens’ classic novel.
‘A Christmas Carol’ runs from 2-24th December at the Playhouse Theatre at QPAC.
More information can be found on their website.
‘THE NUTCRACKER’ – QUEENSLAND BALLET
The classic Christmas spectacle is returning for its ninth season at QPAC, produced by Queensland Ballet. The show follows Clara and her adventure through an extravagant Christmas dream, with musical accompaniment by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. If a night of magic is just what you need to add a little enchantment to your holiday bucket list, a trip to the ballet is the perfect Christmas treat.
‘The Nutcracker’ will run from 16 – 23 December at the Lyric Theatre at QPAC. More information can be found on their website.
‘CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY’ – THE LITTLE RED COMPANY
Is ‘Love Actually’ your go-to Christmas flick? Does the rich voice of Colin Firth musing about love fill your living room during the holidays? Is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” playing on repeat? If you answered yes, ‘Christmas Actually’, presented by The Little Red Company is a must-see. Starring Naomi Price, and accompanied by talented Queensland musicians, the show will take audiences through some of the beloved musical moments of the film. ‘Christmas Actually’ is in its fourth season, and is set to be a heartwarming theatrical experience.
‘Christmas Actually’ will run from 15 – 23 December 2021 at La Boîte Theatre
More information can be found on the La Boite website.
‘BITE CLUB: XMAS EDITION’ – BRIEFS FACTORY AND SAHARA BECK
Brisbane cabaret icons, Briefs Factory, and celebrated musician Sahara Beck, present their burlesque, drag and circus mashup show, ‘Bite Club-Xmas Edition’. Beck and her band will serenade audiences at the Princess Theatre, while show-stopping artists of Briefs Club serve up an array of holiday-themed performances. If art, camp and bold theatricality sounds like your jam, this one is for you.
‘Bite Club: Xmas Edition’ will run from 11-18 December at the Princess Theatre
More information can be found on the Princess Theatre website.
‘A VERY NAUGHTY CHRISTMAS’ – WOODWARD PRODUCTIONS
If you’re not on the nice list this year, it’s time to embrace your naughty side with the return of ‘A Very Naughty Christmas’ at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Definitely not one for those under 18-years-old, this show is a risqué foray into classic carols, but with a comedic and hilarious twist. Featuring a cast of eight performers and a live band, this tongue-in-cheek cabaret will ‘tickle your tinsel’ and put you straight on Santa’s naughty list.
‘A Very Naughty Christmas’ will run from 9-19 December at the Brisbane Powerhouse
More information can be found on their website.
‘THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY’ – GROWL THEATRE
Kickstart your holiday festivities with a trip to Growl Theatre’s production of ‘The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley’. An adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’, the play follows the Darcy’s first Christmas as a family at Pemberley, but through the eyes of the servants in the house. A Downton-Abbey-esque glimpse into class, family and privilege with a healthy serving of holiday scandal, this show is perfect for any fan of Austen’s romantic and extravagant tale.
‘The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberly’ will run from November 19 to December 4 at Windsor School of Arts
More information can be found on their website.
‘LORD MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS CAROLS’ – SUBWAY AND THE LITTLE RED COMPANY
Treat the whole family to a night of brilliant local talent and classic Christmas carols at the new-look Lord May’s Christmas Carols features a superstar cast. Listen to the amazing voices of Kate Miller-Heidke, Sheppard, Troy Cassar-Daley and Jem Cassar-Daley, and Marcus Corowa, and see an extra-special appearance from TV icon Bluey.
‘Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols’ will play one night only 11 December at Riverstage, Brisbane City. More information can be found on the Brisbane website.
‘DIE HARD: THE MOVIE: THE PLAY’ – ACT REACT
Act React brings their signature bold and witty creativity to everyone’s favourite Christmas action movie – ‘Die Hard’. A parody of the beloved film starring Bruce Willis, this comedic production promises “bare-footed action” and “lo-fi special effects”, filled with spontaneity and interactivity. If you’re looking for something to shake off those holiday shopping-induced blues, this show will have you shouting yippee-ki-yay!
‘Die Hard: The Movie: The Play’ will run from 12-23 December at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
More information can be found on their website.
What show are you excited about this festive season? Comment below and we’ll add it to our fun list of must-see holiday fun as we round out 2021!
