39 Best Christmas Musicals

Sometimes, it can take a little bit of effort to get into and embody the holiday spirit. But as each year passes, it seems there is a never-ending plethora of songs and stories that can help induce that feeling.

Musicals are an especially joyous way of tapping into the cheer, and there are plenty that involve Christmas in some way or another. Check out the following musicals the next time Christmas is nearing.

A Christmas Story: The Musical

If you’re like me, one of your yearly Christmas traditions involves watching the classic film, A Christmas Story. For those of you wanting to spice up that tradition, why not check out A Christmas Story: The Musical? 

This musical follows the same plot as the film, meaning you’ll get to see the iconic leg lamp and witness Ralphie shooting his eye out. Infused with unforgettable show tunes, A Christmas Story: The Musical is a must for any fan of the original film.

Whistle Down The Wind

Whistle Down The Wind is a relatively new musical that came out in 1996, and features music by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical is based on the 1961 film that has since become critically acclaimed among British viewers.

Its mention of Christmas is based on a pair of tales told to children, which act as a sort of parable. Both Act 1 and Act 2 of the musical features these sequences. 

Rent

Rent has become one of the most popular modern musicals. If you haven’t seen it on the stage, you’ve more than likely seen the film version that came out in 2005.

While it isn’t exactly a Christmas musical per se, Rent uses Christmas as a significant date, which acts as both an opening and closing setting. Despite this, Rent does have a Christmas song, called Christmas Bells, which is sung in Act 1. 

A Christmas Carol

Just about everybody who celebrates Christmas is familiar with the story in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. The tale of Scrooge facing the ghosts of Christmas past has become timeless and could almost be considered folklore at this point.

It only makes sense that A Christmas Carol would find its way to the stage in 1994. For 9 years, it was an annual tradition that the musical would be performed at Madison Square Garden.

The Who’s Tommy

If you’ve seen the 1975 film, Tommy, Christmas is probably the last thing you remember about it. But in the 1992 musical, Christmas plays a central role in Act 1, displaying Tommy’s natural gravitation toward music (while being clueless about the holiday).

During this scene, the song, Christmas, is played, which segues into the iconic track, See Me, Feel Me, by The Who. Any fan of the band needs to see this if they haven’t already.

Annie

Annie, a musical about everyone’s favorite orphan, is frequently performed around Christmas. That’s because Christmas is central to its plot, and despite its obviously politicized characters (looking at you, Warbucks), Annie has a major Christmas miracle at the end. 

Annie has some of the most iconic show tunes, many of which have found success outside of the musical. It also found its way to the big screen in 1982, directed by the legendary John Huston.

Sherry!

Sherry! is a musical that you might not be completely familiar with, but you might be familiar with its title track. The song, Sherry! was released by Marilyn Maye in 1967, and had moderate success.

What’s wild about this musical is that its musical score was lost to time for nearly 30 years. It wasn’t until 2004 that the score was recorded for the first time.

The plot of this musical involves somebody having to recuperate from injuries at home during Christmas. 

White Christmas

One of the most popular songs to be played during the Christmas season is Bing Crosby’s recording of White Christmas. You’re probably familiar with the fact that this track comes from a film that Crosby also starred in, in 1954.

Considering that Irving Berlin wrote all of the music for the film, it only made sense that White Christmas would make it to the stage. The musical debuted in 2000 and has enjoyed over 20 years of touring productions. 

Mame

Have you ever had the chance to attend a Disney Christmas Parade? If so, you’ve probably heard the well-known song, We Need A Little Christmas, which comes from the 1966 musical, Mame. 

Mame was an instant hit, featuring Angela Lansbury and, eventually Lucile Ball in a film version. We Need A Little Christmas is sung during Act 1 and makes a reprise during the ending curtain call. 

Here’s Love

Unless you know your musical history, you probably don’t recognize Here’s Love by its title. However, you probably do recognize its inspiration, being based on the iconic film, Miracle On 34th Street.

Santa Claus plays a central figure as a main character in this musical as he attempts to prove that he is real. Considering that watching Miracle On 34th Street is a holiday tradition for many, seeing Here’s Love can make for an unforgettable experience. 

Elf

2003’s film Elf, featuring Will Ferrel, has become one of the most significant Christmas films of the new millennium. Any fan of the movie is sure to love the musical version, which made its debut in 2010.

As you can imagine, this musical follows the story of Buddy as he tries to navigate his way in the modern landscape of consumerist society. It’s packed to the brim with Christmas-based songs that are sure to be stuck in your head.

She Loves Me

How many of you are familiar with the cult romance film, You’ve Got Mail? Did you know that the foundational story actually comes from a play called Parfumerie, which has been adapted multiple times?

The musical, She Loves Me, is one such adaptation that debuted in 1963 that uses the Christmas holiday season as a central plot setting. In fact, just before the finale in Act 2, a song called, 12 Days To Christmas, is sung in one of the main character’s shops. 

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Grinch has become one of the most celebrated characters in Christmas lore. Who can resist the story of this grumpy holiday hater having his heart grown and warmed up to feel the Christmas spirit? 

The musical, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! takes the story from the animated film to the stage. Since the Jim Carrey film, the musical itself has been adapted, though its original form has been consistently performed across the world.

Meet Me In St. Louis

After The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was at the height of her career when she starred in Meet Me In St. Louis. The film features numerous musical segments and would end up being one of MGM’s best-performing films of the decade.

Meet Me In St. Louis is significant because it saw the debut of one of the holiday’s most famous songs, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. In 1989, the film was adapted for the stage, with the iconic song appearing near the end of Act 2. 

Holiday Inn

You’d be wrong to assume that the famous Bing Crosby song, White Christmas, originated in the film of the same name. In fact, it actually came about nearly a decade before in the film, Holiday Inn.

Holiday Inn would find itself being adapted to the stage, making its debut in 2014. All of the great Irving Berlin tracks from the original film are featured here, with White Christmas making an appearance toward the end of Act 1.

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas

You’re not wrong in thinking that a brothel is probably the last setting you’d expect Christmas to make an appearance in. But 1978’s The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas has an iconic song called, Hard Candy Christmas near the musical’s finale.

The song would find new popularity in 1982 with the release of the film version starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. Parton even released the song as a single, which ended up on countless Christmas song compilations thereafter. 

Flahooley

Flahooley is a bit of an obscure musical that is almost like The Santa Clause (starring Tim Allen) mixed with Aladdin. This musical is centered around a toy company employee and a genie from a lamp.

What ends up happening is that the main character decides that he wants to be Santa Claus. While the musical does have political undertones, its song, Who Says There Ain’t No Santa Claus, is perfect for the holiday season. 

Black Nativity

Debuting in 1961, Black Nativity is a Langston Hughes musical that has since become a yearly tradition for many communities. As you might guess from its name, the story follows that of the birth of Jesus Christ, but with a cast that is exclusively black. 

Much of this musical’s soundtrack will be familiar to anyone who is well-versed in Christmas music. Aside from a few original tracks, you’ll hear many of your favorite carols sung throughout Black Nativity. 

I Love My Wife

I Love My Wife is an interesting musical that is almost like anything else to be found on the stage. Starring just 4 cast members, the plot focuses on a pair of married couples who decide they want to explore their sexuality together on Christmas Eve.

Needless to say, what results is equally hilarious and thought-provoking. The 2nd Act song, Lovers On Christmas Eve is just one of the tracks that mentions Christmas outside of the fact that its plot takes place during the holiday. 

It’s A Wonderful Life

The story of George Bailey and his hopelessness has become a holiday tradition for those who watch It’s A Wonderful Life every year. By means of divine intervention, Bailey’s debated suicide is staved off as he is shown how much of an impression he’s left on those in his community.

Just about everybody who is at least a little self-conscious has pondered their own importance, which is why the film is so relatable. In 1986, the film made its way to the stage in the form of a musical, which continues to have frequent productions around the holidays.

Black Friday

Black Friday is a recent musical, which debuted in 2019 and had its production costs raised and covered by a Kickstarter campaign. As you can guess, Black Friday derives its name from the biggest holiday shopping day of the season, as people storm the stores to complete their gift lists.

Because of that, Black Friday is tilted toward Christmas, especially considering that a Christmas movie plays a central role in its plot. This is a holiday horror musical that is sure to be one of your modern favorites. 

Promises, Promises

If you’re a fan of Burt Bacharach and want something to get you in the holiday spirit, check out Promises, Promises. This musical debuted in 1968 and has been enjoying a lengthy series of revivals in recent years.

The plot involves a company Christmas party as well as the events surrounding a suicide attempt on Christmas Eve. Perhaps the most iconic sequence in the musical involves the song, Turkey Lurkey Time. 

Subways Are For Sleeping

Debuting in 1961, Subways Are For Sleeping is another fairly obscure musical that was somewhat short-lived but has experienced a recent revival. The musical finds a writer exploring the topic of homelessness, and professionals who live in the subways and manage to get work from a central figurehead.

Christmas works its way into the plotline, where the iconic song, Be A Santa is performed, which explains the honor of wearing the red costume.  

Billy Elliott: The Musical 

When Elton John decides to write music for a production, you know you’re going to have a smash hit on hand. This 2005 musical is based on the film that came out 5 years beforehand.

The song, Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher, is sung at the beginning of Act 2, during a children’s Christmas program. Elton John has released a version of this song with his own vocals. 

Scrooge

While A Christmas Carol is indeed a musical, there happens to be another one focused on old, grouchy Ebenezer, called Scrooge. This musical made its debut in 1992 and takes most of its inspiration from the similarly-titled 1970 film.

You already know how this story goes, but this adaptation manages to keep things fresh. 

Call Me Mister

Call Me Mister isn’t a traditional musical in the sense of a grand production, though it does feature music and was performed on Broadway. Rather, Call Me Mister is a series of short sketches that use music and dancing to drive its entertainment factor.

The song centered around Christmas is the track, Yuletide, Park Avenue. In 1951, the production would be made into a film though only a few of its songs survived the adaptation.

Cyrano

You probably never would have guessed that the author of A Clockwork Orange wrote the lyric book to the 1973 musical, Cyrano. Though short-lived, Cyrano was critically acclaimed and featured Christopher Plummer as the large-nosed protagonist.

The song fitting for Christmas here is Autumn Carol, which is appropriate to listen to when Christmas is on the horizon. 

Pickwick

A Christmas Carol isn’t the only Charles Dickens work to see a musical adaptation. While Pickwick isn’t a fully-fledged Christmas story, it does feature Christmas as an important plot device.

Pickwick even has a song titled, That’s What I’d Like For Christmas, which is sung near the beginning of the musical. 

The Woman In White

The Woman In White made its debut in 2004 and is notable for featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This musical’s plot line is somewhat steeped in mystery and features tales of a ghostly woman.

Christmas plays a minor role here, being set as a date for a wedding. The Christmas song, Holly And The Ivy, is one of the musical numbers sung during Act 1. 

Starting Here, Starting Now

Starting Here, Starting Now is a revue, rather than a bona fide musical production like most of the titles mentioned here. The revue focuses on the trials and tribulations of the romances of its characters.

I Don’t Remember Christmas is a song that is all about not remembering the little, intimate details one would only know about another had they been in a relationship.

Rex

Henry VIII is the subject of the 1976 musical, Rex, which features music by the legendary Richard Rodgers. Though the musical featured actress Glenn Close’s Broadway debut, it was relatively short-lived.

One of the scenes in Act 1 of Rex is entitled, Christmas At Hampton Court, which depicts a royal holiday celebration.

Pipe Dream

The dynamic duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein was not always successful, as is evident with Pipe Dream. This is despite having its material based directly on a novel written by the great American writer, John Steinbeck.

Pipe Dream is not set during the winter, though its song, The Happiest House On The Block, is sung during a scene where one of its characters is ordering Christmas cards in July. It just goes to show that the holiday spirit can be alive and well during Christmas In July. 

Now Is The Time For All Good Men

Now Is The Time For All Good Men is a musical from 1967 that centers around Mike Butler, an English teacher at a high school. His teaching methods are rather unconventional, though people start to come around to respect him.

Act 2’s opening scene takes place amidst Christmas carolers where the town drunk appears with a gun. The song from this scene is entitled, My Holiday.

Legs Diamond

Everybody loves a good gangster story, and 1988’s Legs Diamond has become sort of an obscure cult classic. Legs Diamond follows the story of a notorious bootlegger from the 1930s. 

The standout Christmas-related song from this musical is entitled, Speakeasy Christmas, which is sung by dancing girls in an illegal drinking establishment. 

Greenwillow

The 1960 musical, Greenwillow, has sort of a meta-Buddhist plot line where a family’s eldest son must go off on his own sort of vision quest. Of course, this isn’t always easy, as the main character has to leave behind the love of his life, with whom he wishes to reconnect.

Greenwillow has a number of seasonal songs to depict the length of time that the lovers are apart. The song, Greenwillow Christmas, is sung at the end of Act 1. 

Judy’s Scary Little Christmas

Are you somebody that appreciates good satire? If so, the 2000 musical, Judy’s Scary Little Christmas, will be right up your alley, especially because its characters are based on real-life celebrities.

While Judy Garland is the main character, everyone from Richard Nixon to Bing Crosby makes an appearance. And, as you’d guess from the musical’s title, there are plenty of Christmas-oriented show tunes to be heard here. 

Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical

1985’s Nunsense might be the only musical that originally started out as a greeting card. Since then, the musical has spawned numerous spin-offs, including the hilarious Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical.

This musical is about a group of nuns who are recording a TV show at a local station. If you attend this, you’ll get to be a part of the show by singing a few Christmas songs with the cast. 

A Tuna Christmas

Are you familiar with the Tuna trilogy? These musicals feature 2 male members who play 20 different characters between them (yes, including women).

As you might guess, 1989’s musical A Tuna Christmas is downright ridiculous. Interestingly enough, it was performed at the White House for President Bush, Sr.

Dee Snider’s Rock And Roll Christmas Tale 

If you’re into classic rock and metal, you’re probably all too familiar with Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. He’s one of the greatest frontmen in the history of rock music.

Dee is no stranger to theatrical arts, but nobody could have predicted the 2014 debut of Dee Snider’s Rock And Roll Christmas Tale. As you might guess, this musical features a live band complete with real electric guitars and drums.

Best Christmas Musicals, Final Thoughts

It’s safe to say that Christmas will always be featured in musicals for as long as musicals continue to be written. As you’ve seen, Christmas can play a minor role and still induce that holiday spirit.

Thanks to films and revivals, many of these musicals are widely available for audiences of all eras. This ensures that the legacy of these works will live on, no matter how obscure they may be.