The Beach Times
Cape Cod's 2018 Christmas Concerts and Performances
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, November 19, 2018
Cape Cod has an incredible performing arts scene, as the sounds of high-end plays and concerts from local, national, and international acts fill the air in the summertime. When tourist season ends in the fall, however, playhouses tend to take a hiatus before starting up again around Memorial Day, or sometimes even later.
The exception to this shutdown, of course, is the Christmas season, as performing arts venues all over the Cape feature exclusive holiday performances starting in late November and running throughout December.
If you’re lucky enough to be spending a portion of the holiday season on Cape Cod, get yourself some tickets to at least one of these shows, or check out a free one, as they are well worth the price of admission, and then some.
Holiday on the Cape
Perhaps the most anticipated Christmas performance in 2018 is Holiday on the Cape, which is an annual tradition put on by the Cape Symphony. On November 30 at 4:00 and 8:00 PM, December 1 at 3:00 and 7:30 PM, and December 2 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM, you can experience all of your favorite holiday music at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center.
You'll quickly find yourself singing along to the classic songs you'll hear, especially since you'll have the Chatham Chorale and the Vintage Vocal Quartet providing vocals. Tickets range from $72-52 for adults and $36-26 for students between the ages of six and 22. These concerts always sell out, so you’ll want to buy your tickets right away if you’re visiting Cape Cod in early December.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
We all know the story of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, where three spirits visit the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge in an attempt to turn him into a kinder, more thoughtful human being. Before the three apparitions take Scrooge through Christmases past, present, and future, however, the ghost of Jacob Marley, his former business partner, makes an appearance.
Every Friday and Saturday night between December 1 and 29 at 7:30 PM, The Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans will feature Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, which tells this classic tale through the eyes of Marley and shows why he felt the need to help Scrooge on his journey, while redeeming himself in the process. This performance adds an entirely new dynamic to the story and is something you'll surely want to see if you're a fan of the original. Tickets are $25 for adults and $21 for students.
Celtic Christmas Celebrations
The Cape has a couple of Celtic-themed events taking place, starting with the 10th Annual A Cape Cod Celtic Christmas Celebration, which takes place on Saturday, December 15 at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth. The concert features the music of Celtic duo Stanley and Grimm, with special guests also making appearances throughout the night. Everything gets started at 7:00 PM and tickets are $18 each.
Another Celtic celebration on Cape Cod this holiday season is called A Celtic Christmas featuring Rose & Robbie. The concert will take place at Elks Music Hall in Eastham and brings Robbie O'Connell, who is originally from Ireland and brings a unique, humorous style, and Rose Clancy, a local musician, to the stage. Tickets range from $20-30, and there will be an opening performance by Cape Cod's own Celtic Roots.
Madeline's Christmas
Between November 30 and December 30, Friday nights at 7:00 PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM, The Cape Cod Theatre Company will present Madeline's Christmas. The play is based on a story by Jennifer Kirkeby and follows the adventures of a young girl named Madeline who is at a boarding school in Paris. Her only wish is to return home for Christmas, but difficulties arise when everyone at school falls ill.
Tickets to the show are $25 for adults and $15 for those under 21. Additional matinee performances will take place on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of December at 2:00 PM. If you're on the Cape for any part of the holidays, you'll have plenty of chances to get to Harwich to take in a show.
Outer Cape Chorale Concert
For a free show, make sure you check out the Outer Cape Chorale Concerts, which will be held three times between December 7 and 9. The first two shows take place at Provincetown Town Hall at 7:00 PM, with an additional Sunday show coming at Nauset Regional Middle School in Orleans at 3:00 PM.
This year, the chorale will be performing Requiem, a soothing, yet haunting, work by French composer Gabriel Fauré and When Icicles Hang, a secular arrangement by English composer John Rutter that takes inspiration from the texts of William Shakespeare. Tickets are not needed to attend, although donations at the door are appreciated.
Christmas on Cape Cod
In addition to these shows, you’ll find free performances at the various Christmas strolls and other holiday events found throughout Cape Cod in December. These holiday gatherings give you the chance to witness performances by some of the Cape’s very own local groups, who put together Christmas shows every year and take a lot of pride in doing so.
Book your Cape Cod vacation rental in December to experience something completely different during the holidays. If you’ve only seen the Cape in the summer, you’re missing out on the infectious small-town holiday spirit that is prevalent here throughout the season.
Academy Of Performing Arts In Orleans Arts On Cape Cod Cape Cod Theatre Company Cape Symphony Celtic Christmas Christmas Concerts Christmas On Cape Cod Christmas Performances Christmas Stroll Outer Cape Chorale Payomet