Free Holiday Theater Performances for Families Near You
Free Nutcrackers, festival plays and a holiday concert in four cities, with dates and seat tips.
Families can see free holiday theater this season in San Francisco, Scranton, New York City, and Los Angeles. Current listings include free Nutcracker performances, a holiday festival, and a large holiday concert show. Dates run November 21 through December 20, 2026.
Most seats need advance registration, and capacity limits apply even when admission is free.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
What is playing in San Francisco and Scranton?
PlayGround will stage its 1st Annual Twisted Holiday Festival December 4-20, 2026 at Potrero Stage in San Francisco and by simulcast. A simulcast is a live feed that lets people watch from another location. The program includes 8 productions and 24 holiday-themed performances, according to PlayGround's festival schedule.
PlayGround lists festival admission as free, with a suggested donation of $10-$30. Families can attend without paying a ticket price, and can choose whether to donate. Ballet Theatre of Scranton will present its 51st Annual Nutcracker November 27-29, 2026 at noon and 5:30 p.m.
daily at the Theatre at North. The company describes the show as a free community gift offered since 1976, according to its Nutcracker program. The same Scranton program adds a sensory-friendly public performance November 22, 2026 and closed school-only shows November 23.
Families should check age, school, and eligibility rules for the school-only dates before planning.
Where is the free New York Nutcracker?
Brookfield Place will host New York Theatre Ballet's hour-long Nutcracker in the Winter Garden November 21 at 1 and 7 p.m. and November 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets are complimentary through advance Eventbrite registration, which opens November 4, according to Brookfield Place's event listing.
The shorter running time can work well for young children. Plan for travel, security, and seating time in a busy public venue. Once complimentary tickets are claimed, remaining seats go to onsite walk-ons only if capacity permits.
Arrival does not ensure entry, so register early and have another date in mind.
What are the Los Angeles showtimes and viewing options?
Los Angeles County's 67th Annual Holiday Celebration will offer two free 90-minute shows December 20, 2026 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Free general-admission tickets will be released from December 8, according to the PBS SoCal announcement. The event features music and dance groups from across the county. Both shows are the same length, so pick the time that fits naps, meals, and parking.
Families who cannot attend in person can watch the PBS SoCal broadcast December 24-25. The broadcast offers a backup if tickets run out or travel plans change.
How can families lock in seats?
Reserve on the first day tickets open, especially for Brookfield Place and Los Angeles. Registration opened November 4 for New York and opens December 8 for Los Angeles. Confirm sensory-friendly or school-show eligibility before you go.
Scranton's school-only shows are closed to the public, while the sensory-friendly show is open. Use simulcasts or broadcasts as a backup if in-person events fill. San Francisco offers a simulcast option, and Los Angeles offers a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day broadcast.