Christmas Theatre Productions in Jacksonville for Tots, Tweens or Teens

Christmas Theatre Productions in Jacksonville for Tots, Tweens or Teens - Taking your child to a local live Christmas show is a fun way to make the holidays special. From toddler-friendly productions to Christmas spirit for your jaded teens and tweens, there's something for everyone. If you're a bit tired of the standard Christmas Carole productions and the many Nutcrackers in the area, here are some of the best but-lesser-known local North Florida productions you can take your kid to during this season.

Clay County Christmas at the Thrasher-Horne
http://thcenter.org/events.html
For: All Ages
Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 pm

If you've got a tiny child, you might want to sit near an exit in case your little one starts crying or, in the case of toddlers, starts getting fidgety. The production is a hodge-podge of Christmas spirit, featuring nearly every kid's chorus, bell choir and musical group in the area. Also expect a Nativity scene performed on stage.

Sanders Family Christmas at the Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre
http://www.abettheatre.com/currentplays.html
For: 6 and up
December 5- 20

This is a sequel to the musical Smoke on the Mountain, which showcased gospel songs sung by the fictional Sanders family. Here, they work through the holidays and sing holiday standards mixed with family friendly-humor. It's a small space, so it's difficult to leave without disrupting things, even if you choose a seat near the exit. They're very accommodating though, I just wouldn't recommend it for tots and toddlers who can't sit still.

Christmas Belles at Players by the Sea
http://playersbythesea.org/
For: Ages 12 and Up
November 28- December 13

By the name, you might picture a bell choir or a chorus of Southern women. It's neither. This Southern farce is sure to be fun, but might not be appropriate for younger kids. The material will be a lot like an over-the-top sitcom. According to their website it includes "squabbling sisters, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator." While there might be some singing, most of this will be dialogue. It's a sequel to the farce Dearly Departed.

A Tuna Christmas at the Hippodrome
http://www.thehipp.org/mainstage/season.php
For: Ages 13 and Up
November 28-December 21

A little strong language gives this a PG-13 rating, but if you have mature kids who can handle that sort of thing and you don't mind it, this is a hilarious production to take older kids to. Gear up for a redneck Christmas, done at a breackneck speed. Staged by two guys who dress up as all the inhabitants of Tuna, Texas. At the Hippodrome in Gainesville, which is about an hour and a half away from Jacksonville.

Santaland Diaries at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra
http://www.ccpvb.org/
For: Cynical Older Teens and Shock-Proof Parents
December 12- 13

If your kid is any younger than 15 and if you or they are easily offended, then it is not a good idea to attend this envelope pushing production. However, if your teen is tired of the usual holiday cheer, they might well love the dark humor of the Santaland Diaries. The play recounts David Sedaris' experiences as a Christmas elf at Macy's. While that premise might seem innocuous, his twisted take on the holidays and on the children who come to visit Santa is not, though it is very funny!