Awesome Family Stage Shows Coming to Ottawa in December

Theatrical performances are a great way to spend time together as a family and enjoy a live show, all while supporting your local theatres. Some productions are specifically meant to warm up your holiday spirit, while others are beloved stories turned into family shows perfect for all ages. Whether it’s your children’s first performance or tenth, they’ll be enthralled with the stage scenes, music, and storytelling.

Buy your tickets, sit back, and let the curtains rise on a local theatre show in Ottawa this December.

The Hockey Sweater: A Musical

Where: National Arts Centre
When: December 5-23

If the title sounds familiar, it’s because this musical is based on the exact book you are thinking about. Roch Carrier’s classic story The Hockey Sweater about a young boy and his favourite hockey sweater (and what happens when he ends up with one for the team he opposes the most) is live on stage at the NAC for many performances. The musical numbers, the young actors and the story will capture your family’s imaginations and leave you talking about it long after.

Elf: The Musical

Where: Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe
When: December 5-9

Yes, the beloved movie has been turned into a musical presented by Suzart Productions. It’s happening at the Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe between December 5-9 and features the story you know and love, about Buddy the Elf, a human raised by Santa, who goes to New York to find his human dad and ends up saving Christmas while teaching everyone about the importance of Christmas magic, the power of believing and why you should sing loud for all to hear. Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins and miss out on this show! Tickets have almost sold out.

Canada’s Ballet Jörgen’s The Nutcracker- A Canadian Tradition

Where: Shenkman Arts Centre
When: December 12th and 13th

With an evening performance on December 12th and matinee show time on December 13th, there are a few different opportunities to take in this ballet performance of The Nutcracker set to Tchaikovsky’s music at Shenkman Arts Centre. Watching this ballet of the classic tale of The Nutcracker may become your new family tradition.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Where: Shenkman Arts Centre and Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe 
When: At Shenkman from December 13th and 16th and at Centrepoint between December 19 and 23.

This show doesn’t need to be all about the holidays to entice children of all ages (and their C.S. Lewis loving parents) to the theatre for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Various show dates and times across the city are available as actors are set to perform this story about the magic, wonder, and despair of Narnia as you step through the wardrobe. Perhaps the live performance will even spark your children’s imaginations and encourage them to ask for the Narnia books to read over the Christmas holidays (if they haven’t already!)

Cinderella and the Ice Slipper

Where: The Gladstone
When: December 29- January 6

This annual family musical at The Gladstone is a twist on the classic Cinderella Story your children may already know. It will be a fun, new telling of the tale that you all will enjoy. Cinderella hopes to go to the ball at Prince Charm’s Palace, and her fairy godfather may help her with the chance. Will she get to wear the ice slipper, enjoy the Snow Ball and leave before midnight? You’ll have to watch to see.