Christmas Shows in Charlotte

There's a chill in the air, leaves are on their way down, tree lightings all over town are under way. If you're searching for ways you and your family can enjoy the spirit of the season, here is a look at all the Christmas concerts and shows this holiday season.

• The Real Christmas Story
  Nov. 14 - Dec. 21, 2008
  NarroWay Theatre, 3346 Highway 21, Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, SC 29715
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  See this two-part performance complete with a dinner that brings Old Jerusalem to Charlotte in The Real Christmas Story. ($9.95-$29.95)
• Glory, Hallelujah - a VOX Christmas
  Nov. 29, 2008
  8 p.m.
  CPCC Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  David Tang leads this Charlotte choral group in a Christmas concert with surprise guests. ($10-$15)
• The Christmas Music of Manheim Steamroller
  Nov. 30, 2008
  3 and 7 p.m.
  Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  The group known for its Christmas music performs in the Queen City. ($39.50-$74.50)
• Sister's Christmas Catechism
  Dec. 2-14, 2008
  Tue-Thu, 7:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m.
  Booth Playhouse, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  The author of Late Nite Catchism and Late Nite Catechism 2 takes a turn with Christmas as only Sister can. ($20 and up)
• Boys of the Lough: A Celtic Christmas
  Dec. 4, 2008
  7:30 p.m.
  McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  The Celtic music group has performed for five decades. ($25 and up)
• A Christmas Carol
  Dec. 4-7, 2008
  Thu-Fri, 7 p.m.; Sat-Sun 2:30 and 7 p.m.
  Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  Theatre Charlotte presents this timeless holiday gem. ($10-$20)
• The Magic of Christmas
  Dec. 5-7, 2008
  Fri, 8 p.m.; Sat, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sun, 2:30 p.m.
  Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  The Charlotte Symphony performs holiday music conducted by Alan Yamamoto and Scott Allen Jarrett. ($21-$75)
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
  Dec. 5-21
  Fri, 7:30 p.m.; Sat, 1 and 4 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m.
  McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St.
  For tickets call: 704-973-2828
  The Herdman children meet the Christmas story in a head-on collision filled with hilarity in this holiday favorite performed by Children's Theatre of Charlotte. ($18-$24)
• Singing Christmas Tree
  Dec. 6-7, 2008
  Sat, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun, 3 p.m.
  Ovens Auditorium, 2700 Independence Blvd.
  For tickets call: 704-335-3100
  Carolina Voices bring to life Charlotte's thirty-two-foot Christmas tree. ($18-30)
• Nutcracker
  Dec. 12-21, 2008
  Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  North Carolina Dance Theatre presents this annual performance of the Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux classic. ($15-$64)
• Christmas with the Charlotte Children's Choir and Youth Choral
  Dec. 13, 2008
  7 p.m.
  St. John's Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte, NC 28204
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  The Concert Choir and the Youth Choral present traditional and newly composed music of the season. ($12-$15)
• The Birth
  Dec. 14-21, 2008
  Carolina Actors Studio Theatre, 1118 Clement Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
  For tickets call: 704-502-1122
  While not technically a Christmas production, The Birth bills itself as a reflective celebration of the coming of Christ.
• Messiah
  Dec. 17, 2008
  7:30 p.m.
  Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  The Charlotte Symphony performs Handel's Messiah conducted by Scott Allen Jarrett. ($15-$52)
• A Tuna Christmas
  Dec. 19-28, 2008
  McGlohan Theater, 345 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST) presents this hilarious holiday tale of the Tuna Texans. ($20-$22)
• A Wonderful Life - The Musical
  Dec. 19-28, 2008
  Visit CarolinaTix for performance times.
  CPCC Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  Enjoy the characters from the classic film as they sing and dance their way on stage. ($33-$43)
• Charlotte Children's Choir: Polar Expressl
  Dec. 20, 2008
  11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  University Hills Baptist Church, 1500 Suther Rd., Charlotte, NC 28213
  For tickets call: 704-372-1000
  Join the preparatory choirs as they present The Polar Express and additional holiday songs. ($8-$10)