Turn Tradition on Its Head with These Alternative Holiday Shows

From hip-hop ballet to drag shows, these are the coolest holiday performances to catch this year.

As humans , we ’ve been lionize the holiday with euphony for millennium . But when succeeding historians look back at our coinage ’ tradition , they might inquire why we drop X worshipping at the altar of traditional act like the Trans - Siberian Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller every vacation season — despite not being able to name a single song by either .

If you ’re feeling trapped in an endless iteration of sugarplum faggot , weepy nation lay , and whatever a Pentatonix is , dread not : you may fail the cycle per second . From soul Isaac M. Singer to sweep up queens , hops - record hop caption and indie - rock favourite to psychedelic public presentation artists , these are the melodic tour and residencies that will surely become part of a new holiday custom . And okay , there might still be some sugarplum fairies involve — but they ’ll be go bad it down hip - hop way .

A Drag Queen Christmas

Where : Touring nationwideWhen : November 14 - December 29The lowdown : Holidaydragbrunches and performances are a blast , but A Drag Queen Christmas brings thing to a whole unexampled stage of spectacle . After a particularly grueling yr , this raucous , 38 - stop celebration ca n’t issue forth nimble enough . host by Miz Cracker , the show featuresDrag Racealumni , a performance by Todrick Hall , and more . The cost : stock slate range from $ 35 - $ 75 , while VIP meet and greet software package will run you $ 150 - $ 249.Score them here .

Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas One and All

Where : Various metropolis throughout the US and CanadaWhen : November 15 - December 17The lowdown : Whether you believe “ All I Want for Christmas is You ” is the safe Christmas song of all time ( correct ) or an unavoidable holiday earworm ( also correct ) , Mariah is here to stay . And this year , she ’s bringing a full - scale holiday spectacular on the route , protrude in SoCal and wrapping matter up at Madison Square Garden with a cross - celibate testament to her staying power . Even if you find yourself getting brainsick of the mega - hit by former November , the show is a chance to try one of pop ’s most gifted singers hit five gold octaves in person . It ’s Mariah ’s time . Embrace it . The cost : Tickets start at $ 100 , and they’regoing fast here .

Love Actually Live

Where : Los AngelesWhen : November 22 - December 30The lowdown : This twelvemonth , Love Actuallycelebrates 20 year as the Christmas movie most probable to make you pause it and say , “ I do n’t remember this movie being quite so unsettling . ” And in LA , you may now catch a springy performance of Richard Curtis ’s delightful vacation tomboy with a crowd so you may jointly fawn at the Andrew Garfield quality . The show add London to life history on the Bram Goldsmith Theater ’s stage and incorporates actors , singers , a live orchestra , and footage from the movie to really ensure Christmas is all around you for the whole 2.5 hours . The cost:$89 - $ 199 fora seat that , to you , is staring .

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Where : NationwideWhen : November 10 - December 30The lowdown : Falling asleep during a output of the Nutcracker is a rite of musical passage for many during the holidays ( even though that lowlife fight roue ) . And while the idea of “ The Nutcracker , but rap music ” might vocalise a little corny on paper , the sight of breakdancers perplex acrobatic to the Russian Dance is a wonder to behold . The whoremaster here is that the show approaches the informant stuff with reverence while bringing a modern twist via masterly , middle - pop choreography . And as a bonus , articulatio coxae - hop fable Kurtis Blow opens the show with a fast set of classics . The price : ticket vary by locus . recover your spot here .

Darlene Love’s Love for the Holidays

Where : Various East Coast citiesWhen : November 25 - December 22The lowdown : Six age before Mariah Carey was even born , legendary someone Isaac Merrit Singer Darlene Love dropped one of the most iconic holiday perennials , “ Christmas ( Baby Please come up place ) . ” Now 82 , Love ’s still belting out holiday melodic line , border in the holidays by zig - zagging around Massachusetts , New York , New Jersey , Pennsylvania and Connecticut and raise why the Grammy winner has wear out the Christmas Queen crown for six tenner and counting . The cost : ticket vary from venue to venue and can be chance atLove ’s official land site .

A John Waters Christmas

Where : metropolis nationwideWhen : November 28 - December 21The lowdown : Cult filmmaker , ikon , and Pope of Trash John Waters has lived at the intersection of lowbrow stark - out laugh , eminent clique , fine art , and unencumbered ego - expression ever since the tone ending ofPink Flamingosin 1972 . His annual holiday circuit — this yr subtitled “ Let ’s Blow It Up ” in extension to his appeal of fame drift - up doll — hope to cover Waters ’ unique ability to find joy in the filthiest things on the planet . The price : tag start at $ 35 andcan be found here

Big Freedia’s Christmas in Central City Tour

Where : Select city nationwideWhen : November 29 - December 11The lowdown : The Queen of Bounce is hit the route this vacation season , contribute their infective beats and unparalleled microscope stage comportment — not to refer friendsHaiku Handsand others — to an East Coast city near you . wait plenty of “ decking the hall and jingling balls ” as Freedia and bunch cycle through crew - pleasers like “ N.O. Bounce , ” “ Y’all Get Back Now , ” and “ $ 100 Bill , ” all while providing what just might be the most immaculate vibes on this lean . The cost : Ticket prices vary by venue , but Big Freedia is partner withPLUS1throughout the turn to donate $ 1 from every ticket sale tothe Ally Coalitionin their charge to tolerate unhoused and at - risk LGBTQIA+ youth .

White Album XMas

Where : Portland , OregonWhen : November 30 - December 16The lowdown : At this point , it would really be uncanny if we told you that Portlanddidn’thave a long - running psychedelic Beatles - themed holiday extravaganza featuring the 15 - piece Nowhere Band orchestra and a full carnival Charles Frederick Worth of aerialist , jugglers and other performers from the Rose City Circus . Essentially , it ’s like Cirque du Soleil’sLove , but with more vacation cheer andway better beer . The cost : Tickets to the Alberta Rose Theaterrun from $ 42.50 - $ 65

Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid

Where : ChicagoWhen : December 7 - 14The lowdown : The Chicago indigene , folk - soda hero , unexpectedFargoco - star , and one - time Squirrel Nut Zipper returns to Chicago ’s First Presbyterian Church for his yearly Gezelligheid residency , which has been an annual custom since 2009 . The pews are currently packed for the sold - out event , which this year features Margaret Glaspy and Julian Lage and promise a mixing of honest-to-god , new , and traditional songs from one of indie music ’s most gifted multiinstrumentalists . The toll : Tickets are sell out , but you could receive a Gezelligheid miracle if yousign up for the hold inclination .

Yo La Tengo’s 8 Nights of Hanukkah

Where : BrooklynWhen : December 7 - 14The lowdown : Indie stone legends Yo La Tengo have made playing an eight - night Hanukkah run into a New York custom . And it ’s a popular one , too ; all eight shows are currently sell out for their rejoinder to theBowery Ballroom . Keep an eye on resale sites , because the shows assure to be honest vacation gem — per tradition , no song will be duplicate , surprise openers will admit ring and comedian , and the bass amp will be adorned with a menorah . The price : You’re go to have to work for this one , but ticket are out there .

Mike Birbiglia Live: Christmas Parmesan

Where : BostonWhen : December 15 - December 23The lowdown : The darling fishy mankind behind the podcastMike Birbiglia ’s Working It Outplus impinge on on- and off - Broadway solo shows likeSleepwalk With Me , My Girlfriend ’s Boyfriend , andThe Old Man and The Poolis bringing it back home to Boston for this special five - part holiday standup run . The pizza pie - have a go at it comedian is anticipate all new material forChristmas Parmesan’sWilbur Theater takeover , but we ’re positive you may expect a full roster of delightfully meandering storytelling , light physical clowning , and mess of laughs . The monetary value : Tickets range from $ 39 to $ 79 per person , and they ’re selling fast .

The Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show

Where : Los AngelesWhen : December 18 - December 21The lowdown : In 2006 , fabled ballad maker ( and humbled - key goof ) Aimee Mann droppedOne More Drifter in the Snow , an frequently - look out over compilation of smoky , jaunty Christmas touchstone that offers up the unexpected delight of hearing Mann croon “ You ’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch . ” A natural next step ? The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas show , in which Mann teams up the fellow unconvincing Christmas icon / indie - punk rock superhero for a strain - fulfil variety show fulfil with special guests , comedians , and more . Even better ? The midget locale will transmute the concert into an highly inner affair . The cost : just the ticket pass from $ 58 GA seats to a $ 148 VIP soundcheck experience , and can be purchased here .