December 3-21, 2025
On Christmas Eve 1914 in the cold trenches of World War I, something miraculous happened. A lone soldier stepped into no man’s land, lifted his voice in song, and troops from both sides laid down their weapons for an extraordinary holiday celebration of music, feasting, and camaraderie. All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 uses a 12-man a cappella chorus that weaves together soldiers’ letters, period songs ranging from trench tunes to holiday carols, and poetry into a musical recounting of the true story this month at Stage West (821 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-784-9378). Performances are at 7:30pm Wed-Sat with matinee shows at 2pm Sat-Sun now thru Sun, Dec 21. Tickets are $48.50 at StageWest.org/all-is-calm. (Note: There are also pay-what-you-choose performances available on Sat, Dec 13, and Fri, Dec 19.)
Courtesy Stage West
December 4-21, 2025
It’s A Rock ’n’ Roll Christmas at the Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Manana (3101 W Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-2272). Featuring the music of Elton John, The Eagles, Pat Benatar, Mariah Carey, and others, performances are 7:30pm Mon-Wed, 8pm Fri-Sat, and 7pm Sun now thru Sun, Dec 21. Tickets are $95 at CasaManana.org.
December 5 – January 4, 2025
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden invites you to experience the wonder of the holiday season in a whole new light. This year’s Christmas in the Garden is a mile-long self-guided trail of light displays set to holiday music, plus there will be local food vendors and an opportunity to take photos with Santa Claus. Tickets to this 90-minute experience start at $21 at FWBG.org. Available dates include Fri-Sun, Dec 5-7; Thu-Sun Dec 11-14; Wed-Wed, Dec 17-24; Fri-Wed, Dec 26-31; and Thu-Sun, Jan 1-4.
December 11, 2025
CeCe Winans is bringing her Christmas tour to the Texas Trust CU Theatre (1001 Texas Trust Way, Grand Prairie, 972-854-5050) with special guests Angie Winans and Debbie Winans, CeCe’s sisters. The concert will feature some of the Grammy-winning gospel legend’s biggest hits, plus Christmas classics. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets start at $46 at AXS.com.
December 12-28, 2025
Texas Ballet Theater’s production of The Nutcracker is an annual tradition in North Texas, and this year’s Fort Worth performances are Fri, Dec 12, thru Sun, Dec 28, at Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-212-4280). During matinees an hour before showtime, ticket-holding families with children will be able to take a photo with a real ballerina and see the costumes up close. There’s also an Ugly Sweater Night on Thu, Dec 19. Wear your ugliest sweater, and enter the contest in the lobby to win prizes. Tickets start at $30 at TexasBalletTheater.org.
Courtesy Texas Ballet Theater
December 13, 2025
Smiling’s our favorite, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will have us grinning big this holiday season when they perform John Debney’s score to the classic comedy Elf at the Will Rogers Memorial Center (3401 W Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-392-7469) at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $45 at FWSymphony.org.
December 13, 18, 20, 2025
Ricki Derek performing at the Scat Jazz Lounge (111 W 4th St, Fort Worth, 817-870-9100) isn’t anything new, being the owner and all, but our city’s resident swing-music maestro will be running his 17th annual A Merry Little Christmas Show at the downtown venue this season, performing jazzed-up versions of your favorite holiday songs. While many of the performances are already sold out, a few tickets are still available for the Fort Worth shows on Thu, Dec 18, at 9:30pm and Sat, Dec 20, at 10pm at ScatJazzLounge.com. Or you can catch him on Sat, Dec 13, at 8pm at the Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-841-4900). Tickets are $38.93 on Prekindle.com. — Kristian Lin
Courtesy Ricki Derek
December 16, 2025
Every year, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra tours the farther reaches of Tarrant County, with both the full orchestra and various ensemble groups, performing holiday favorites free of charge. At 7pm, the Brass Ensemble travels to Southlake to play some carols at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church (185 S White Chapel Blvd, Southlake, 817-665-6000). The Sounds of the Season concert has become a beloved Southlake family tradition. Audiences can expect to hear music from The Nutcracker and nostalgic holiday melodies like “White Christmas,” plus participate in the Holly Jolly Sing-Along. There is no cost to attend.
December 20, 2025
This year’s annual A Jazzy Christmas at Arts 5th Avenue (1628 5th Av, Fort Worth, 817-923-9500) is at 7pm, featuring the music of the 3 Kings — Fort Worth cats Eddie Dunlap (drums), Joe Rogers (piano), and Chris White (bass) — with vocals by Lois Leftwich and Robert Rouse, tap dance performances by Sugar Plums & The Jingle Elves, and a special performance by the Christmas Sisters. Tickets are $20 at TicketstotheCity.com.
December 22, 2025
Grand Prairie’s Pentatonix will make their annual pilgrimage to North Texas for a hometown holiday performance. Pentatonix: Christmas in the City is at 7pm at Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-402-9000). Tickets start at $44 at Ticketmaster.com, with $1 per ticket going to Direct Relief to assist in their efforts to help those impacted by the recent flooding in the state.
Courtesy Pentatonix
Now thru January 18, 2025
Experience an enchanting night with Koda’s Adventure to the Magical Ocean at the Tianyu Lights Festival on the grounds of the Texas Trust CU Theatre (1001 Texas Trust Wy, Grand Prairie, 972-854-5050). Koda’s dreams are seen through this luminous immersive art installation, where every lantern tells a story. Tickets start at $23.65 and are available for specific dates and entry times, so please plan your visit accordingly when purchasing at TianyuCulture.us. (Entry times are every 30 minutes from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.)
Courtesy Tianyu Lights Festival
