Backstage Pass

This holiday season brings unique shows all season long to the Civic & Balboa Theatres! We've divvied up our holiday programs so you can choose what fits your celebration and who you're going with.

Beloved Traditions
High-Energy Merriment
Classics With a Twist
Around the World

BELOVED TRADITIONS
These shows are timeless and joyous ways to honor the most wonderful time of the year. You'll hear many popular & beloved Christmas songs in a way that feels traditional, familiar, and even nostalgic. Some are especially great for families - you'll see this noted!

• Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna - Sat, Nov 19 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by the San Diego Symphony
  The illustrious group of young musicians known as the Vienna Boys Choir has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. Christmas in Vienna showcases these gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and, of course, holiday favorites.
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D28C9EE4BDC?brand=balboatheatre or https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/list/ (start at $29)

• The Nutcracker - Fri, Dec 16 - Fri, Dec 23 - Civic Theatre - Presented by Golden State Ballet
  Beautiful choreography is brought to life by a talented cast, featuring Company dancers, students of the Golden State Ballet Academy, and community families, adorned in intricate costumes and surrounded by dazzling sets. Tchaikovsky's timeless score will be performed live by the world-renowned San Diego Symphony. We are thrilled to invite you to join us on a magical journey with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince into the Land of the Sweets. Great for Families.
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/2YvhKLt (start at $29)

• The Sound of Christmas Sing-Along - Sun, Dec 18 @ 2:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by Kerry Irish Productions
  Sing your way into the season with joyful holiday favorites. A fun-filled sing-along with orchestra and choir, and a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays with those you love! Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, I’ll be Home for Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, White Christmas, Silent Night, Ding Dong Merrily on High, and many more, will ring through the theatre as orchestra, choir and audience join forces in a delightful afternoon to celebrate the holidays. A festive event for the entire family! With Emmy-nominated conductor Charles Fernandez, the Sound of Christmas Chamber Players and Choir, and narrator Sheelagh Cullen. Great for Families.
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/3Qq3BEK (start at $34)

• Las Posadas, a Mexican Christmas Celebration - Thu, Dec 22 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation
  Mariachi Champaña Nevin’s delightful and inspiring Mexican Christmas concert returns to San Diego! Featuring a reenactment of Las posadas — Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem — with familiar American holiday classics plus traditional Mexican carols. People of all ages and backgrounds will revel in the joy of a traditional Mexican Christmas Eve. Bring the whole family and enjoy this San Diego tradition returning to the Balboa Theater!
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D4E8773279E?brand=balboatheatre (start at $34)

HIGH-ENERGY MERRIMENT
Ready to rock around the Christmas tree? These exciting, toe-tapping, jolly shows are sure to uplift any Scrooge enough to feel the holiday spirit!

• Mariachi Sol de Mexico: A Merry-achi Christmas - Fri, Dec 2 @ 8:00P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by San Diego Theatres!
  This December, Mariachi Sol de Mexico®, with the blazing sounds of its 13-piece ensemble, brings to life a festive, joyous holiday celebration. Enjoy a fusion of the traditional holiday spirit with the color and traditions of Mexican and American Christmas songs and carols. The traditions are brought to life by Sol de Mexico’s spectacular artistic execution. Experience this unique fiesta of favorite holiday tunes from both sides of the border.
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/3RFcfRy (start at $41)

• A Drag Queen Christmas - Wed, Dec 7 @ 8:00P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by Murray & Peter
  Start your engines & get ready for the 8th annual Drag Queen Christmas, featuring your favorite queens from Rupaul's Drag Race performing live on stage. Hosted by Season 12's Nina West, you'll be treated to a holiday extravaganza from a rotating cast of queens, complete with death drops, high kicks, and killer looks! VIP Meet & Greet tickets are also available. So far, San Diego is set to welcome Manila Luzon, Jujubee, Kornbread, the ever-safe Jan Sport, and more! www.DragFans.com will have the most up-to-date lineup.
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D18BA2A4CA2?brand=balboatheatre (start at $39)

• Jingle - Sat, Dec 10 @ 8:00P & Sun, Dec 11 @ 3:00P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus
  SDGMC opens its 38th season with an exquisite evening of song that is sure to give you the Holiday feels. This year, celebrate the power of home, through the beautiful music of Eric Whitacre, Ana Gasteyer, Prince Royce, James Taylor, the Temptations and more. There will be stars, there will be light, there will be joy, there will be guests and there will be giving. There will even be tap dancing and a disco ball! Join the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus for a big warm holiday hug, with our unique gay twist.
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/san-diego-gay-mens-chorus-tickets/artist/1645527?venueId=82668 (start at $30)

• An Irish Christmas - Sat, Dec 17 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by Kerry Irish Productions
  Experience the joy of An Irish Christmas as seen on PBS! Enjoy all the holiday carols you know and love plus a spectacular high-energy display of Irish dancing at its very best. An Irish Christmas is a celebration of family and community that showcases some of the great Irish holiday traditions and features award-winning dancers from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Wings. Now everyone can be Irish for the Christmas holidays! 
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/3enUY0a (start at $42)

CLASSICS WITH A TWIST
At these shows, you'll definitely hear traditional holiday standards...but presented in a whole new way! This isn't your average Christmas choir.

• Jake Shimabukuro's Christmas in Hawaii - Wed, Nov 30 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by San Diego Theatres!
  Ukulele master and jolly ambassador of aloha Jake Shimabukuro will bring joy to the world with his highly anticipated holiday show, Jake Shimabukuro's Christmas in Hawai'i. Jake's mission is to connect and inspire people with only his four strings. His genuine love for people, the spirit of Holidays, and Hawaii, are at the forefront of this show. Expect to hear a vibrant catalog of holiday classics such as We Three Kings, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, O Holy Night, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Along with bassist Jackson Waldhoff, singer-songwriter, Justin Kawika Young, and ukulele player Herb Ota, Jr., Jake will spread good cheer to all in a fun take on the holidays sure to keep spirits bright.
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/JAKE_SD (start at $40)

• Dave Koz & Friends 25th Anniversary Tour - Thu, Dec 15 @ 8:00P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by Omega Concerts
  Even if you don't know Dave Koz's name...you know his saxophone and incredibly popular Christmas albums! Dave Koz and Friends announce the 25th anniversary edition of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour. The GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist is accompanied b y trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Peter White – artists that accompanied him on the road in the earliest years of the tour – as well as pianist Keiko Matsui and vocalist Rebecca Jade. While each year of the tour has been unique, the quintet has lots of surprises in store for 2022, including the live debut of songs from their latest album.
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D4CBF1D564B?brand=balboatheatre (start at $60)

• Mindi Abair's I Can't Wait for Christmas Tour - Tue, Dec 20 @ 8:00P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by Scottland Productions
  Chart-topping jazz artist Mindi Abair adds a fresh twist to an anticipated holiday tradition, celebrating the season with three multi-talented young artists on her “I Can’t Wait For Christmas” Tour. Vincent Ingala, Lindsey Webster and Adam Hawley join Mindi to play holiday standards with a unique jazz and blues influence. Mindi says "I love Lindsey’s voice, the way she sings from the heart and the emotion she brings onstage. Adam is a ridiculously talented guitarist and producer, and has become one of smooth jazz’s coolest artists. And Vincent, who I toured with last year as part of Summer Horns, is the most talented guy you can imagine, playing all these instruments and even singing. So you never know what may happen!”
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D38ECF64918?brand=balboatheatre (start at $50)

AROUND THE WORLD at the Balboa
Want to hear how Christmas is celebrated within different countries, cultures, and traditions? Immerse yourself at these shows at the Balboa Theatre!

• Jake Shimabukuro's Christmas in Hawaii - Wed, Nov 30 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by San Diego Theatres
  Ukulele master and jolly ambassador of aloha Jake Shimabukuro will bring joy to the world with his highly anticipated holiday show, Jake Shimabukuro's Christmas in Hawai'i. Jake's mission is to connect and inspire people with only his four strings. His genuine love for people, the spirit of Holidays, and Hawaii, are at the forefront of this show. Expect to hear a vibrant catalog of holiday classics such as We Three Kings, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, O Holy Night, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Along with bassist Jackson Waldhoff, singer-songwriter, Justin Kawika Young, and ukulele player Herb Ota, Jr., Jake will spread good cheer to all in a fun take on the holidays sure to keep spirits bright.
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/JAKE_SD (start at $40)

• Mariachi Sol de Mexico: A Merry-achi Christmas - Fri, Dec 2 @ 8:00P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by San Diego Theatres!
  This December, Mariachi Sol de Mexico®, with the blazing sounds of its 13-piece ensemble, brings to life a festive, joyous holiday celebration. Enjoy a fusion of the traditional holiday spirit with the color and traditions of Mexican and American Christmas songs and carols. The traditions are brought to life by Sol de Mexico’s spectacular artistic execution. Experience this unique fiesta of favorite holiday tunes from both sides of the border.
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/3RFcfRy (start at $41)

• An Irish Christmas - Sat, Dec 17 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by Kerry Irish Productions
  Experience the joy of An Irish Christmas as seen on PBS! Enjoy all the holiday carols you know and love plus a spectacular high-energy display of Irish dancing at its very best. An Irish Christmas is a celebration of family and community that showcases some of the great Irish holiday traditions and features award-winning dancers from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Wings. Now everyone can be Irish for the Christmas holidays! 
  Tickets: https://bit.ly/3enUY0a (start at $42)

• Las Posadas, a Mexican Christmas Celebration - Thu, Dec 22 @ 7:30P - Balboa Theatre - Presented by the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation
  Mariachi Champaña Nevin’s delightful and inspiring Mexican Christmas concert returns to San Diego! Featuring a reenactment of Las posadas — Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem — with familiar American holiday classics plus traditional Mexican carols. People of all ages and backgrounds will revel in the joy of a traditional Mexican Christmas Eve. Bring the whole family and enjoy this San Diego tradition returning to the Balboa Theater!
  Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D4E8773279E?brand=balboatheatre (start at $34)